Johor Baru, Feb. 6 : The religious Department in Malaysia''''s Johar state has reminded Muslims that St. Valentine''''s Day was haram (prohibited) in Islam.

"The fatwa had been declared in 2005 but the warning was the department''''s yearly reminder to Muslims not to engage in un-Islamic activities," said M. Tahrir Samsudin, director of Johor's Religious Department.

The new Strait Times quoted him as saying that such celebrations involved elements of vice and violated Islamic faith and values.

He also said that the Christian elements found in the celebration did not correspond with Islamic practices. (ANI)