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Showing posts with label Valentine's Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valentine's Day. Show all posts
Monday, February 12, 2024
Monday, February 14, 2022
Friday, February 14, 2014
Valentine’s Day Is Banned by the Religious Police in Saudi Arabia
RED ROSES LURK hidden in flower shop back rooms and heart-shaped chocolates are sold under the counter, but Saudis still manage to buy Valentine’s gifts and defy the religious police.
Florist Hussein came up with a simple solution to a ban on red tokens of love: he filled his window with white roses, orange irises and violet hydrangeas.
“I’ve hidden everything red in the shop, so when a religious police patrol comes along, they find nothing to complain about,” he said.
Anti-Valentine’s Day patrols by the Muttawa religious police, formally known as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, started on Wednesday.
They began entering premises stocking chocolates, flowers and souvenirs to warn proprietors against selling anything red or heart-shaped and linked to the annual “infidel celebration” of matters romantic. » | © AFP | Friday, February 14, 2014
Valentine's Day 'Leads to Fraud and Baby-dumping', Says Malaysia's Islamic Watchdog
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| A number of Acehnese Muslim senior high school students students hold a protest against Valentine's Dat celebrations in Banda Aceh, Indonesia |
Malaysian Islamic authorities took their annual swipe at Valentine's Day Friday, calling it a threat to Muslim values, but 138 couples took part in a mass wedding to mark the date.
In its official Friday sermon text distributed to mosques in the Muslim-majority country, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department blamed Valentine's Day for everything from alcoholism to abortion.
"Social ceremonies such as this are a stepping-stone towards greater social ills such as fraud, mental disorder caused by alcohol, abortion and baby-dumping, and other negative ills that can invite disaster and moral decay among youths," it said.
Known by its Malay-language acronym JAKIM, the department is an official watchdog of Muslim values. It regularly denounces Valentine's Day as encouraging vice and promiscuity. » | AFP | Friday, February 14, 2014 | Valentine’s Day
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The main message of my thoughts is simply that Muslim scholars and clerics must be made to understand that they are not experts in everything … particularly a good many things about other faiths like Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Judaism.
Muslim clerics like the Ustazah merely receive their education from traditional Islamic Institutions that do not have the subjects of Philosophy, Civilisation and Religious Studies.
All they know and have learnt are only from a single source of Muslim Studies.
As an academic, I will admit and clearly explain what I do know and what I do not know. If I had to respond to a certain question or comment with respect to knowledge that I do not possess much, then I am most humble in answering and never in an absolute or commandeering tone … much lest in a sarcastic or demeaning manner.
It is most unfortunate that in Malaysia, as well as perhaps in other Muslim countries too, Muslims think that it is their ‘divine’ duty to hate people of other faiths.
This is done to the point that a non-Muslim chief minister is despised despite his excellence in governance but a Muslim minister is supported and protected when allegations of rape, murder or bribery seem apparent. » | Aliran | Monday, February 13, 2012
FOREIGN POLICY: Five places that aren't feeling the love this Valentine's Day.
Under the kingdom's strict interpretation of Islamic law, Valentine's Day is forbidden because it celebrates the life of a Christian saint and "encourages immoral relations between unmarried men and women,"according to Sheikh Khaled Al-Dossari, a Saudi religious scholar. All the accoutrements of Valentine's Day merely represent the culture "of a people who are involved in the humiliation and killing of our fellow brothers and sisters," Mariam Anwer, a Saudi schoolteacher, told the Saudi Gazette.
Every year, Saudi Arabia's infamous morality police force, the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, raids shops a few days before Feb. 14, instructing owners to remove red roses, red wrapping paper, teddy bears, and gift boxes. On the eve of the holiday, they raid stores and seize symbols of love.
Because of the ban on red roses, a black market has flowered ahead of Valentine's Day. Roses that normally go for five Saudi riyal (about $1.30) fetch up to 30 riyal ($8) each on Feb. 14. Florists reportedly deliver bouquets in the middle of the night or early morning, to avoid suspicion.
Ahmed Al-Omran, a well-known Saudi blogger, told CNN back in February 2008 that the government's ban would give the international media another reason to make fun of the Saudis "but I think that we got used to that by now." » | Alessandra N. Ram | Monday, February 13, 2012
CBS NEWS: BAGHDAD — Iraq's capital is embracing Valentine's Day this year with a huge public display of affection in what its residents say is the nation's most amorous celebration of the holiday ever.
Street corners across Baghdad are blanketed with the synthetic red fur of teddy bears, while silken nighties and lip-shaped satin pillows hang in store fronts.
It's a vivid counterpoint to a place that's still a far cry from warm and fuzzy — with bombings remaining a fact of life since the withdrawal of U.S. forces two months ago.
"Valentine's Day is for everybody — not only for lovers," said Lina, a school administrator who would only identify herself by her first name. She was among the throngs browsing through an array of plush kittens, scented candles, red lamps and heart-shaped purses outside a store this weekend in the Baghdad downtown shopping district of Karradah.
"It's for you and I, for me and my brother, even for someone on the street. It's not just about me and my fiance," Lina said. "Iraqis need happy moments to make them forget what they have been through — we have had enough sadness."
After decades of war and dictator rule, and with improving security, Iraqis say they are able to relax and enjoy Valentine's this year. Others believe the recent burst of text messages, mobile phones and use of the Internet among Iraqi youth has helped foster romance like never before.
But Valentine's Day may come with its own baggage.
Conservative Muslims, from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia, have strongly frowned on the holiday's growing popularity around the world as an encouragement of perceived Western decadence and premarital sex. » | AP | Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday, February 14, 2011
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE: JHAWARIAN – An informal survey by media reporters and the district administration revealed that a vast majority of residents condemned Valentines Day [sic] celebrations in the area. Several administrators and clerics have threatened public floggings for anyone seen selling or purchasing a red rose on February 14.
“Islam condemns Valentine’s Day and boys presenting flowers to young girls is vulgar and goes against the norms of Islam,” said Maulvi Ibrahim, adding that clerics in the district had made announcements stating that anyone seen purchasing or selling red roses should be punished in public.
“There is no reason for such holidays to be celebrated in Pakistan as they go against our culture and cause ‘moral corruption,” he said. A conference was called by clerics to discuss the ‘problems’ associated with celebrating Valentines [sic] Day in Pakistan. “We should put a ban on selling anything red (roses, chocolates, heart shaped balloons) on February 14th,” said Mufti Nadeem Tabish.
A dispute reportedly broke out between the clerics regarding the origins of Valentines [sic] Day. Several clerics maintained that Valentines Day was a Jewish holiday and others stated that the custom of handing out roses had been derived from Hindu culture. “I see no harm in celebrating Valentines [sic]. Everyone here has been debating where the day comes from even though it is named after a Christian saint. The clerics are trying to paint Valentines Day [sic] as an Israeli conspiracy,” said a high school student Karim.
“Young boys and girls do not interact let alone hand each other presents in our culture and Valentine’s Day has become an excuse for such reprehensible behaviour,” said a district officer Mumtaz Haroon. >>> | Monday, February 14, 2011
INQUIRER GLOBAL NATION: OFWs warned against celebrating Valentine’s Day in Saudi Arabia: MANILA, Philippines—"Don’t wear anything red or be seen in public carrying red roses or heart-shaped balloons and other items symbolizing Valentine's Day." >>> Jerry E. Esplanada | Moonday, February 14, 2011
OFW = Overseas Filipino Workers >>>
VOICE OF AMERICA: Valentine's Day Not Loved in Many Areas of the World: Monday marks the celebration of Valentine’s Day by much of the world. But it is a celebration that is drawing protests in some areas. >>> | Sunday, February 13, 2011
LA TIMES – BLOGS – BABYLON & BEYOND: SAUDI ARABIA: Black market for red roses surges with Valentine's Day crackdown – It isn't often that cynical singles and religious police find themselves on the same side, but this Sunday they will stand united against a common threat: Valentine's Day and its ubiquitous trappings.Saudi Arabia's religious enforcers, backed by the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, have started their annual purge of anything Valentine-related, including flowers, gifts, candy and the color red. >>> Meris Lutz in Beirut | Saturday, February 12, 2011
THE WASHINGTON POST: Indonesian Muslims warned against Valentine's Day: JAKARTA, Indonesia -- An Indonesian Muslic cleric has warned his young followers against celebrating Valentine's Day, saying it is the same as promoting faiths other than Islam and could lead to forbidden sex. >>> nk-kjj, The Associated Press | Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, February 15, 2010
LE FIGARO: Pour les jeunes Saoudiens, célébrer cette fête interdite est quasiment un acte de subversion.
Comme chaque année, Sabria, étudiante à l'université de Riyad, a pris soin de porter son abaya spéciale Saint-Valentin : son informe manteau noir, obligatoire pour les femmes dans les lieux publics d'Arabie saoudite, est bordé d'un liseré rouge. Abdallah, un jeune fonctionnaire, a parcouru les centres commerciaux, principaux lieux de loisirs saoudiens, coiffé d'une casquette rouge. «Une façon de défier la police religieuse», dit-il. En Arabie saoudite, porter du rouge le 14 février signifie que l'on fête saint Valentin, célébration interdite car provenant d'une religion autre que l'islam. La Saint-Valentin y est pourtant devenue, comme partout ailleurs, un événement commercial. Mais il est teinté ici de rébellion.
Les hommes de la police religieuse, les mutawa, reconnaissables à leur barbe broussailleuse, ont donc, comme tous les 14 février, parcouru les rues commerçantes, ordonnant de faire disparaître les symboles honnis : roses rouges, ours en peluche brodés de cœurs rouges, boîtes de chocolats en formes de cœur, etc. On les trouve quand même sous le comptoir - à ses risques et périls, et au prix fort. Paradoxes >>> Par Pierre Prier | Lundi 15 Février 2010
Sunday, February 15, 2009
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: Valentine's Day in India has been marred by a spate of attacks on young couples as Hindu radicals battle what they claim are foreign influences corrupting Indian culture.
Six men from the Hindu group, Shiv Sena, were arrested in Agra, the home to the Taj Mahal, after they cut the hair of overtly romantic couples in a park on Valentine's Day.
In Pune, western India, two couples were stopped by activists from the same group and forced to "marry" on the spot by exchanging flower garlands. Five more members of Shiv Sena were arrested in Delhi for threatening couples.
In the central Indian city of Ujjain, a mob of Hindu fanatics beat a brother and sister they mistook for a couple displaying affection. Meanwhile activists blackened the faces of many couples they said were behaving inappropriately in the cities of Aurangabad and Bijnaur.
Valentine's Day has recently become hugely popular in India but public shows of affection are still considered taboo by many.
Hindu mobs were not the only ones targeting couples on Valentine's Day. A policeman in the northern state of Haryana was caught on camera attacking a female college student accused of being "involved in immoral activities". The graphic video showed the officer, Molla Ram, repeatedly spinning a woman around by the hair. He was later suspended.
The Valentine's Day violence comes amid a "culture wars" debate over the influence of foreign culture in India. >>> Matt Wade in New Delhi | Monday, February 16, 2009
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Australia) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback – Australia) >>>
Saturday, February 14, 2009
ASSOCIATED PRESS: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Just days before Valentine's Day, a young Saudi woman desperately searched for a red teddy bear to buy for her boyfriend. But all Nof Faisal could find were blue and white ones, minus the "I love you" she wanted hers to declare.
It's not because the store couldn't keep up with demand. It is because fear of the religious police forced the store's owner to strip the shelves of all red items, including the hottest-selling item: heart-festooned red plastic handcuffs inscribed, "Take me, I'm yours."
As Feb. 14 approaches, the police begin inspecting gift shops for items that are red or are intended as gifts to mark the holiday — a celebration of St. Valentine, a 3rd century Christian martyr — which is banned in Saudi Arabia. Such items are legal at other times of the year, but as Valentine's Day nears they become contraband.
At best, shops caught selling Valentine's gifts are ordered to get rid of them. Some salesmen have been detained for days.
The Valentine's Day prohibition is in line with the ascetic Wahhabi school of Islam that the kingdom follows. Marking Christian holidays is banned in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and a country where non-Muslims are banned from openly practicing their religion.
Celebrating any holidays but the two most important for Muslims — Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr_ is taboo because they are considered "religious innovations" that Islam does not sanction. Even birthdays and Mother's Day are frowned on by the religious establishment.
As Feb. 14 approaches, newspapers reprint a fatwa or religious edict issued by scholars a few years ago, declaring "eid al-hob," Arabic for the feast of love, a "Christian, pagan feast" that Muslims should not celebrate. Teachers remind students they must not mark the festival, and girls are warned against wearing anything red. >>> AP | Friday, February 13, 2009
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Saint Valentin: distribution gratuite de "sex toys" à Paris
INSOLITE | Célibataires, jeunes couples, groupes de promeneurs: une distribution gratuite de "sex toys" organisée samedi dans le centre de Paris pour la Saint Valentin, a suscité une vive curiosité, quelques sourires gênés et beaucoup de rires.
"J'ai eu un vibromasseur et des boules de geisha" raconte, ravie, Leila, étudiante de 21 ans. "Je suis super contente. Je suis célibataire, ça me console... Et puis ça coûte super cher ces petits trucs en plastique !" >>> AFP | Samedi 14 Février 2009
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
For all other customers wishing to send flowers/red roses for Valentine’s Day, please click HERE
Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)
Monday, February 11, 2008
BBC: Religious police in Saudi Arabia are banning the sale of Valentine's Day gifts including red roses, a local newspaper has reported.
The Saudi Gazette quoted shop workers as saying that officials had warned them to remove all red items including flowers and wrapping paper.
Black market prices for roses were already rising, the paper said.
Saudi authorities consider Valentine's Day, along with a host of other annual celebrations, as un-Islamic.
In addition to the prohibition on celebrating non-Islamic festivals, the authorities consider Valentine's Day as encouraging relations between men and women outside wedlock - punishable by law in the conservative kingdom. Saudis clamp down on valentines >>>
NINEMSN:
Red roses banned in Saudi Arabia
Just in case there are some damsels in distress over in Saudi because they shall not be receiving red roses, might I suggest clicking on the following link at my website Florabunda.com, where I feel sure we shall be able to help out in your quest for red roses: Love bouquets for Saudi Arabia
Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)
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