Haya Day (Urdu: یومِ‌ حیا) is a holiday celebrated on February 14 in Pakistan as an alternative to Valentine's Day.[1] It was first celebrated by Islami Jamiat Talaba Pakistan.

Celebrations

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Students observing Haya Day, 14 February 2023

Rallies, seminars and other events are held in all major colleges and university campuses in the capital Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore,[2] Gujranwala, Peshawar, Multan, Faisalabad, Quetta and other cities attended by students.[3] Haya Day supporters have been criticized for opposing the romantic sentiments of Valentine's Day, holding that many in Pakistani "glorify violence" and "ridicule love".[1]

Awareness stalls are set up in different institutions across the country and literature is distributed against Valentine's Day.[4] One such stall was set up in Lower Mall near Government Islamia College, Civil Lines in Lahore where the student organisation played nasheeds on the topic of modesty.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Haya Day? Can we have an Anti-Sectarianism Day instead?". The Nation. 2015-02-19. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  2. ^ "Valentine's, Haya Day go side by side in Lahore". Minute Mirror. 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  3. ^ "Pakistani Islamists hold 'modesty day' to counter Valentine's celebrations". La Prensa Latina Media. 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  4. ^ "Hallmark card required: Love no more - Haya Day is here". The Express Tribune. 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2023-03-03.