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Say No to Valentine Day

As couples world over eagerly await Valentine Day to spoil each other senseless with flowers, chocolates and so much more, some citizens of certain countries will not be that lucky.

Here are just a few countries that have banned Valentine Day and failure to not shun the popular celebration attract fines and even arrests.

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, it is taboo to show public displays of affection so the concept of Valentine’s Day doesn’t fly with the authorities.

In 2008, Saudi Arabia’s Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice issued a fatwa prohibiting shops from selling red roses, stuffed teddy bears, heart necklaces or other romantic paraphernalia on Feb 14.

Iran

In recent years Iranian authorities have moved to ban Valentine’s celebrations, calling the holiday a “decadent Western custom.” Religious fanatics and purists in the country are threatening shops and restaurants with prosecution if they sell Valentine’s Day gifts.

However, some shops and restaurants continue to defy the directive and curvetly sell flowers, chocolates and teddy bears to lovebirds.

Malaysia

With 61% of the Malaysian population being Muslims, the concept of Valentine’s Day is akin to selling pork in Saudi Arabia and goes against Islamic law.

The romantic day has been linked to moral decay, abortion, alcoholism and fraud. The National Muslim Youth Association continue to warn women from celebrating the romantic day advising Muslim women against using emoticons in text messages, simplify conversation when private messaging and avoid wearing fragrance.

Pakistan

​​In 2016, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain declared that Valentine’s Day “has no connection with our culture and should be avoided.

In 2017 Pakistan’s High COurt read from the same script and ruled the holiday was against Islamic teachings and barred the media from airing promotions of the celebration on television.

India

In the past, a number of political parties in India have criticised the concept of Valentine’s Day with many saying it is a bad Western influence on Indian culture. An extremist Hindu orgValentine Dayization called Bajrang Dal has issued a warning to Orissa, a state in the Eastern part of India asking youth to stay away from Valentine’s Day in any form. 

Indonesia

Home to the highest population of muslims in the world, Indonesia wants nothing to do with Valentine’s Day.

Officials and clerics in Indonesia have rejected the idea of Valentine’s Day saying that it is not part of Islamic culture. The ban was declared by the country’s highest Islamic clerical council in 2012 saying it was contradictory to Muslim culture and teachings.

There have been numerous protests in recent years, stating that Valentine’s Day promotes casual pre-marital sex and the consumption of alcohol, both of which are strictly against Islamic Law. 

Protestors holding boards saying “Muslims say no to Happy Valentine’s Day” have come out in public and held rallies in the muslim country. Despite this, Valentine’s is actually popular in Jakarta, with companies looking to cash in on the celebrations.

Russia

Russia, the largest country in the world, is not in love with Valentine Day, at least the highly commercialised western style Valentine Day. They would rather celebrate the love for their women and pay tribute to women across the globe.

You see Russia does technically celebrate a type of Valentine’s Day, but it is very different from the traditional holiday. On March 8, Russians do celebrate International Women’s Day in much the same way that Western cultures celebrate Valentine’s Day.

On the D day Russians gift each other flowers and chocolate. Even better is during this day husbands and boyfriends do all the cooking and cleaning, letting women enjoy a full day of rest.

I don’t know about you but the Russian version of Valentine does sound very romantic and perhaps the rest of the world needs to try it too, what do you think?

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