[View the story "Happy Haya Day" on Storify ]Happy Haya Day Pakistani student organisation presents an alternative to Valentine's Day Storified by The Stream · Thu, Feb 14 2013 11:34:54
IJT started the hashtag "
#HayaDay " and circulated YouTube videos to promote the alternative holiday:
HAYA DAY is celebrating all over the country . Jamiat promoting new trends in society . #HayaDayIslami Jamiat Talaba
14th February | Haya Day | Boycott Valentines Day | Islami Jamiat Talaba Pakistanrightsexclusive
haya dayAJstream
Many Pakistanis have adopted the new holiday as a reaction to Valentine's Day, which they view as 'un-Islamic':
Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it. Right is right, even if only you are doing it #HayaDaySaad Khan
People of Pakistan will not allow our media to promot vulgarity. #HayaDayWaqqas Maalik Wattoo
We always remember Birthdays, Valentine's day, Father's day, Mother's day. But how often do we remember judgement day? #HayaDayKomal Kabir
One person tweeted out the following message. Translation: If you would like to defeat a community without fighting in a battle field than spread lust amongst its youth.
Muslims! Fall in love with message from Salahuddin Ayubi (ra) This Valentine's Day & #SayNo2Valentines http://pic.twitter.com/U6irLoqR #HayaDayAnjum Kiani
Other Pakistani netizens view "Haya Day" as a rejection of what they see as encroaching Western values, commercialism and traditions:
Ask urself whether ur emotions are being driven by Comercialism, books, movies & fashion trends...If it is then Your love is FAKE! #HayaDayAnjum Kiani
Western Backed Media & Corporates are imposing valentines Day on #Pakistan #HayaDayعرفان طارق جاوید
Some Pakistanis have defended their celebration of Valentine's Day. Blogger Mohammad Jibran Nasir rejected the notion that choosing to celebrate the holiday is 'un-Islamic':
At the end, if for one day we are socially obliged to make a special gesture of love towards our parents, siblings, better halves, children or girl/boy friends then so be it. I took my mom on a date to a musical last Valentine’s day and she loved it. There was nothing un-Islamic or anti-Pakistan about how special she felt.blogs.thenews.com.pk
Guess the schoolgirls who gave my mother handmade Valentines Day cards and flowers committed a big sin. Shd have made Haya cards instead.beena sarwar
Other netizens expressed support for Pakistanis' choice to celebrate either holiday:
Happy Valentine's Day to those celebrating it and to those who are not Happy Haya Day!Adeel Azhar
Let those celebrate valentine who wants to do it, and let the others celebrate haya day if they want to do that, #FreeCountry peopleAli Waqar
