Middle East Focus: On Valentine’s Day: Jordanian Humor, Genetic Salafi Scowling, and Pious Lust………….

Arabia Deserta

On Valentine’s Day: Jordanian Humor, Genetic Salafi Scowling, and Pious Lust………….

Rattlesnake Ridge

BFF

“In Jordan, one can find a range of views from both those who celebrate the holiday and those who oppose it. Saif Awamleh said he does not celebrate Valentine’s Day because it is not Islamic. "As Muslims, we only have two holidays to celebrate: Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha," the 30-year-old emphasised. “These other occasions are Western ones and unfortunately, we imitate them.” Awamleh added that he and many other Jordanians do not see the point in burdening themselves with the expenses of Valentine’s Day gifts, especially in today’s rough economy. "Why should I pay JD7 for one rose while I have to meet other costs of living?" Others had no religious objections to celebrating the occasion, but said they declined to celebrate it for other reasons. Hanna Ibrahim, an insurance company employee, said he does not celebrate Valentine's Day because love should not be celebrated only once a year. "I celebrate love every day. In any moment you can express your feelings towards your lover," he told The Jordan Times yesterday…………..”

So they claim. I think what Jordanians need more than Valentine’s, more than love, is something they are known, rightly or wrongly, as sorely lacking. They need a sense of humor, or maybe a newer different sense of humor. Has anyone ever seen King Abdullah crack a joke or laugh? No, not that old King Abdullah, I meant the Jordanian King Abdul. As for that other older King Abdullah, it is hard to tell when he is laughing or crying or grimacing, so what is the point?
Without a robust sense of humor, there can be no love, and then Valentine would be meaningless. Even in Jordan, or maybe especially in Jordan. It would be more lust than love. Not that I have anything against healthy legitimate lust, not at all (even polygamous Salafi shaikhs and mullahs are fine with it).
It occurred to me reading this JT piece that that is why Salafis and Wahhabis frown upon Valentine’s Day. It is because it is their nature to frown upon things, even things they approve of, WTF that be. Maybe it is in their genes, maybe they are born humorless and scowling. Maybe one has to go back to the prevailing mood, such as it is, nine months earlier to figure it out. I mean the Salafis. Now about those other Jordanians…….
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com