Antara, Aceh Besar – Aceh Besar Regency in Aceh Province enforces a ban on Valentine's Day celebrations because it is against Islamic teachings and local laws.

Acting Regent of Aceh Besar, Muhammad Iswanto, said Valentine's Day celebrations conflict with Sharia law and the autonomy laws in Aceh. Aceh is a special region granted autonomy under the 2001 Special Autonomy Law, allowing it to apply Islamic law to a certain extent.

"The ban on Valentine's Day celebrations applies not only to recreational places, hotels, or similar venues but also to all public facilities in Aceh Besar and will be monitored by an integrated team from the District Government," said Iswanto as quoted by Antara on Wednesday.

The Aceh Besar Regency Government has instructed the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and the Wilayatul Hisbah (WH) of Aceh Besar to increase patrols throughout the area, dividing into several groups targeting specified areas.

"We emphasize the enforcement of Islamic law without compromise," he added.

In addition, Aceh Besar Administration urges all residents not to celebrate Valentine's Day in any form. They also encourage school principals, teachers, parents, and guardians to supervise and guide children to refrain from participating in Valentine's Day celebrations.

Hotel, restaurant, and cafe owners are also requested not to provide venues for any form of Valentine's Day celebration. The administration has appealed to religious leaders, scholars, clerics, and traditional leaders to educate them that Valentine's Day celebrations are considered forbidden for all residents in Aceh Besar.

The Aceh Besar administration, in 2023, also prohibited Valentine's celebrations. This practice of banning Valentine's celebrations is widespread in Indonesia, a nation with the largest Muslim population globally. Nevertheless, despite the ban, many Indonesian Muslims continue to celebrate Valentine's Day by exchanging cards, flowers, and chocolates with their significant others.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/lifestyle/aceh-besar-regency-bans-valentines-day-celebratio