Valentine’s Day goes Raksha Bandhan – Scarves instead of flowers, what next???
I was browsing the net and came across this rather amusing article on Valentine’s Day, the highlights of which are as follows:
- So University of Agriculture Faisalabad has announced it will celebrate Sisters’ Day on February 14 to “promote Islamic traditions”
- And hats off to them as it’s a big step in celebrating the wonderful relationship one holds with their sisters.
- And in our faith women are held in high ranking.
- Female students on campus can be gifted scarves and abayahs as gifts during the celebration as decided by the vice chancellor and other decision makers at the varsity.
Okay now hold on right there!
Is this necessary? I mean unless your sister wears a hijab and abaya fair enough but what if she doesn’t? You can gift her books. You can buy your sister a nice suit she’s been eyeing and run out of pocket money for, or just take her out for a meal. In fact celebrate all the amazing things about her in other amazing ways like, write a tribute to “my sister”
No, but this gets more complicated!
The sisters day is meant to replace Valentine’s Day! Which means not REAL brothers, but students who may potentially LIKE each other will be seen imploring: “Behen Jee yeh abayah aur hijab meri taraf se” and killing all prospects of ever sending their mums over for a rishta when the time is right!
I mean if we don’t want to celebrate Valentine’s Day in universities and public places, fair enough. Those who want to do so behind closed doors at parties etc., … well, there is nothing stopping them.
But then “un becharon ka future kyun tabah kar rahay hain jo apnay dil hi main Valentines mana rahay hain?”
Anyway here are forthcoming scenarios that we reckon will take place on Sister’s Day:
1. Prices for abayas and scarves material at Kapra markets will sky-rocket – Flower shops or kapra markets, the sellers will have a field day anyway!
Those who will celebrate anyway will head to wholesale bazaars as the abayahs and hijabs on Sister’s Day will be 3 times the price. Esp. for the color RED. Even those ladies who don them might be deprived and have to wait till the “season” is over
2. Love will find a way – Abayas, scarves, or red roses, all’s fair in Love and War anyway!
There will be chitti’s handed out in the “so called abayah and hijab exchange” with “yeh tumharee ammi kay liyay hai. Shaam ko Bunty ki party main milna” and “yeh tumhain suit karay ga bus college pehen kar mat Aana” or “didn’t want you to feel left out. Khabardaar ! Mujhay bhai mat kehna”.
3. Sister’s Day will leave out many sisters who might not receive any scarf – I mean how many scarves can the poor guys buy on wholesale anyway?
Some sisters will be celebrated while others (just like on Valentine’s Day) will miss out either because no one bought them a gift or because their brother was too kanjoos. So it’s not exactly painting a happy picture anyway.
4. Big brands will jump on the bandwagon anyway!
Regardless, we will witness a Sister’s Day with offers at restaurants, across malls, at gifts shops etc. just like Mother’s Day. – wear a red scarf and avail a 10% discount at your favourite Pizza chain? Buy a red scarf and get 20% off our Sister’s Day Kurta special? Scarves instead of flowers – But is it really Islamic? Isn’t this too an innovation (strictly speaking) because everything gets commercialised and someone misses out or adds pressure to those who can’t indulge in such pricey activities?
5. Buy one Get one free – Flower shops will avail the opportunity and sell a scarf with every red rose bouquet anyway!
THIS is the one day in the year flower sellers look forward to. Come Valentine’s Day and red flowers are jet skiing out of shop buckets at breakneck speed … If you haven’t ordered yours in advance, you’re not in the race anymore! Necessity is the mother of invention, and flower shops will find a way! A flower is a flower. Girls know that, and so do members of the opposite sex … you really think Sister’s Day scarves can top that? … Think again!
If at all there should be any kind of day, Sister’s Day or Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate women and men together, and the relationships that can help shape our children’s futures, our society, and in turn, decide what kind of a world we will live in.
As for Valentine’s Day and 14th Feb. Mat Manao! But please Jiyo or Jeenay do!
