Muslims should not celebrate Valentine's Day Indonesian cleric says

Muslims should not celebrate Valentine's Day because it "glorifies promiscuity," an Indonesian cleric said Friday, after the sale of condoms in bags of gift chocolates raised concerns.

Valentine's Day "is not compatible with our nation's culture and religious tenets," said Anwar Abbas, head of education at the semi-official Indonesian Council of Muslim Scholars.

"This culture will destroy the morality of the young generation," he said.

He said the council was concerned about reports that some shops had been selling chocolate packaged together with condoms ahead of Valentine's Day.

The reports sparked outrage among conservative Muslims and prompted local authorities in Central Java to raid stores and confiscate the items, media reports said.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, but Islamic observance is relatively moderate.

-SAPA