ISLAMIC BODY TO LAUNCH "MIND THE VALENTINE`S DAY TRAP" CAMPAIGN

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Islamic Development Department
(Jakim) will launch a special campaign dubbed "Mind the Valentine's Day Trap
Campaign" Friday to prevent Muslims, especially teenagers, from celebrating
Valentine's Day on Monday.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom
said the programme was aimed at disseminating information about celebrating
Valentine's Day which contravened Islamic teachings.

He also called on television stations to play their role in the matter by
offering suitable programmes that could educate the public about Valentine's
Day.

On other developments, Jamil Khir said special briefings would be held for
Malaysian students who were recently evacuated from Egypt to eliminate negative
perceptions that there was a political agenda behind the rescue operation
mounted by the government.

He said the briefings would be conducted with the cooperation from other
government agencies and Baitulmal offices nationwide.

Meanwhile, he said the government was in the midst of discussing the idea of
having TV Al-Hijrah being broadcast through pay-tv station, Astro.

"From our initial discussion, it is expected to be implemented by April,
because Astro have given their commitment that they will try to help with the
transmission," he said.

-- BERNAMA