Happy Valentine’s Day from Saudi Arabia

(CNN) — Saudi Arabia has asked florists and gift shops to remove all red items until after Valentine’s Day, calling the celebration of such a holiday a sin, local media reported Monday.

With a ban on red gift items over Valentine’s Day in Saudi Arabia, a black market in red roses has flowered.

Every year, officials with the conservative Muslim kingdom’s Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice clamp down on shops a few days before February 14, instructing them to remove red roses, red wrapping paper, gift boxes and teddy bears. On the eve of the holiday, they raid stores and seize symbols of love. Read the rest from CNN here.

Comments (4)

  1. ExPatMatt

    Reply

    Breaking News: Oppressive Regime Oppresses People Further!

    In other news: Water = wet.

  2. Reply

    “Next thing you know they’ll outlaw Christianity!”

    Actually, all citizens are already required to be Muslims. Bibles are strictly prohibited. The Mutaween once again enforces this law.

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