Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Malaysian religious leaders are against the feast of St. Valentines, the day dedicated to lovers that is celebrated today throughout the world. Muslims have branded the holiday as "anti-Islamic", the Christians deny that its "vices" associated with the festivities are "tied" to their faith. Malaysia, meanwhile, is preparing to celebrate - for the first time - the World Week for inter-religious harmony.

Today, February 14th in the world loving couples exchange flowers, chocolates and stuffed animals as a token of love. In Malaysia the celebration unites Christian and Muslim leaders, who "deplore" the excesses and encourage young people not to celebrate it. The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) warns that "Christians are offended by public statements that have recently emerged, linking Valentine's Day to sin and Christianity."

Christian leaders are also "deeply disappointed" by the words of Siti Nor Bahyah Mahamood, who expressed his "irresponsible remarks." In a talk-show called "Valentine's Day: forbidden in Islam" relaunched on YouTube, the Muslim leader has told young people not to celebrate the anniversary. The campaign against "the Valentine trap" also involves the government, while checks will be carried out in many hotels in the country to prevent to couples' relationships “outside marriage". The Heads of Cfm remember that Valentine's Day "is not a Christian holiday" and caution against manifestations of "hostility".

The campaign against the festival dates back to 2005, when a fatwa was issued against lovers. The youth wing of the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party promised repression and intervention in cases of "immoral activities". However, not all Muslims agree with the repression. 40-year old musician Arrifin Akmal, considered such behavior as "tribal" and warned that "modern" Islam can not allow such repression.

Today, meanwhile, Malaysia is preparing to celebrate - for the first time in its history - the World Week for inter-religious harmony. The program sees, among other events, a meeting between religious leaders and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Other nations have celebrated the anniversary - wanted by Jordanian King Abdullah II - the first week of February: among them Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Philippines, USA and Germany.