Saudi’s Ban on Cupid’s Bow & Arrow

by Rachael Grant

Valentine’s gifts, including the traditional red rose, have been banned by religious police in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Gazette, a local newspaper, reported that shop workers have been forced to remove such items from sale - including flowers and red wrapping paper. The paper went on to say that in light of this, black market prices for roses were soaring.

Valentine’s Day, as well as various other annual holidays, are considered by Saudi authorities to be un-Islamic, based on the belief that it encourages relations between men and women outside of the boundaries of marriage, which is a ‘crime’ punishable by law.

The newspaper also reported that there had been many preorders for flowers and other Valentine’s gifts in anticipation of the ban, which is something that happens regularly. It has even been revealed that some florists deliver their bouquets in the middle of the night or early morning to avoid attracting suspicion.

Other people have suggested that to celebrate Valentine’s Day they will travel to other religiously liberal countries such as the United Arab Emirates.

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Story link: Saudi’s Ban on Cupid’s Bow & Arrow

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