Valentine's Day in Saudi Arabia "No Valentine!"

Valentine's Day in Saudi Arabia "No Valentine!"

Love is on the air to OFW around the world on this Valentine's Day. Oooppps! But not here in Saudi Arabia. Where Valentine is banned.  A week before Valentine's day, Gift and flower shop owners were advice by the religious enforcers to refrain from selling red flowers and merchandises (valentine's card, red toys and heart shape)  related to the occasion.  Wearing of red cloths and carrying red toys are also strictly prohibited. Never great "Happy Valentine's Day", especially in public places.




Due to the ban on red roses, a black market has flowered ahead of Valentine's Day. Roses that normally sell for five Saudi riyal ($1.30) fetch up to 30 riyal ($8) on February 14, the Saudi Gazette said.

"Sometimes we deliver the bouquets in the middle of the night or early morning, to avoid suspicion," one florist told the paper.

Valentine's day is a catholic celebration for St. Valentine day. Thus Love is a universal language that  can be celebrated by anyone of any denominations without border. "Muslims are people of love, as evidenced by the fact that this word appears in [the Koran] 83 times,"

"I guess slowly countries all over the world is accepting the tradition of Valentine's Day, it is slowly integrating into their culture, 18 years ago Valentine's Day is banned here pero now, shops sells Valentine Cards and other items related to its observance, Valentine concerts are now also being held. The Pope said, btw he's from Doha.

I hope that one day Saudi will be opened for such occasion. Still each country have their own rules that we, (OFWs) should abide and respect.

Have A Happy Day!