Kuala Lumpur: Couples in the primarily Muslim countries of Malaysia and Brunei are being urged to shun Valentine’s Day by religious officials, who say it conflicts with Islamic principles and causes moral erosion.

While there no laws banning Wednesday’s celebrations in either country, some officials noted that Saint Valentine was a Christian and feared that festivities may prompt impure behaviour among young people.

The warning came as florists, hotels and restaurants laid on promotions for the occasion, featuring roses, candlelight dinners and singers serenading lovers.

Mohammad Ramli Nuh, a state lawmaker who belongs to the ruling United Malays National Organisation, is against the romantic revelry. He said, “From the point of view of Islam, this is not an advisable practice.”

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