Dukhtaran-e-Millat, a Muslim women’s separatist group in Indian-held Kashmir, calls on people not to celebrate Valentine’s Day, an event they deem immoral and contrary to Islam. Many a conservative-minded Kashmiri agree.

Srinagar (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A Muslim women’s separatist group in Indian-held Kashmir has urged the population not to celebrate Valentine’s Day because it is un-Islamic and promotes “immorality.” The group, known as Dukhtaran-e-Millat or ‘Daughters of the Faith,’ issued a statement appealing to “Kashmiri Muslims to avoid celebrating such events which have been prohibited by Islam.”

In their statement the ‘Daughters’ singled out young people, telling them not to fall into the devil’s trap that tries to “spread immorality.”

The group, which has campaigned for years “to eradicate social evils from society,” has openly expressed its support for Kashmiri separatists.

Its statement also targeted shopkeepers and restaurant owners, warning them against making money from selling “Valentine cards and other gifts related to this un-Islamic event,” or organising any functions on Valentine’s Day.

In the past the ‘Daughters of the Faith’ have acted on their threats, attacking stores that sold Valentine’s Day cards.

Socially Kashmir’s 15 million people tend to be very conservative, but over the past few years even here habits have somewhat evolved.

In the backlash moderate and hard-line separatists have rallied around the group, saying it is doing a good job fighting immorality.

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• immorality