February has long been recognised as the month of love, a month where the sky is blue and roses are red for many couples. This month marks a special beginning for many couples, such as engagements, weddings and well… conception. Yes, many get pregnant in this month, but that is a topic for another day.
As wonderful as February is for couples, there are countries that do not care for Valentine’s Day. In fact, Valentine’s Day is banned in some of these countries.
Therefore, if you want to continue seeing red and white colours everywhere or avoid locking yourself up in your house binging on movies and buckets of junk food, here are the top 10 places to avoid abroad this Valentine’s season.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a majorly Muslim nation located in Southwest Asia. It also encompasses most of the Arabian Peninsula. Mecca is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia and the holiest city in Islam.
Therefore, public displays of affection are prohibited in Saudi Arabia. This prohibition also targets Valentine’s Day, which goes against the country’s ideologies. On February 14, sale of Valentine’s Day items, such as red roses or teddy bears, are not allowed. On this day, the authorities might check stores for defaulters and arrest and punish them according to the law. In 2014, five Saudi citizens were lashed and sentenced to 39 years in prison for dancing with six women they were not married to on Valentine’s Day.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a former Soviet republic located in Central Asia. It is known for its mosques, mausoleums and other sites linked to the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean. So, it is not a surprise that this country frowns on Valentine’s Day celebrations.
In 2012, an internal decree banning the celebration of this holiday was issued by the Ministry of Education’s Department of Enlightenment and the Promotion of Values. Instead, Uzbekistan celebrates the birthday of its country’s hero – Babur – a Mughal Emperor, on that day.
Indonesia
The Republic of Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, situated around between the Indian and Pacific oceans. This country does not have any law that expressly prohibits Valentine’s Day celebrations. However, there are areas of the country, such as Surabaya and Makassar, where people have more radical views. Hence, they use intimidation tactics or small-scale bans to stop people from celebrating this day. in Bando Aceh, Valentine’s Day is expressly banned.
In recent years, protests have erupted widely, claiming that Valentine’s Day encourages casual pre-marital sex and the consumption of alcohol, both acts highly prohibited by Islamic law. But Valentine’s Day is still openly celebrated by youngsters, especially in Jakarta.
Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran, also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. The government has prohibited the production of all Valentine’s Day gifts and items. Cited as a spread of Western culture, Valentine’s Day celebration itself has been banned.
Instead, Iran proposed to replace this celebration with Mehregan, an ancient festival that existed in Iran prior to the introduction of Islam. Mehregan honours yazata Mehr, which is responsible for friendship, love, or affection.
Pakistan
The Islamic Republic of Pakistanis a country in South Asia. It also has the second-largest Muslim population, with over 241.5 million inhabitants. The country is the site of several ancient cultures, such as the 8,500-year-old Neolithic site of Mehrgarh in Balochistan, the Indus Valley civilisation of the Bronze Age, and the ancient Gandhara civilisation. The country could have been a hot tourist destination for couples interested in history and heritages. But Pakistan still has mixed feeling about celebrating Valentine’s Day.
However, the day has increasingly become popular among young people, prompting several riots in the country. In one of the protests, a citizen petitioned the High Court in Islamabad to have Valentine’s Day banned. On February 7, 2018, the petitioned was granted as the Islamabad High Court banned Valentine’s Day celebrations and media coverage, claiming that it was a Western cultural import that contradicted Islamic teachings. The ban was not well received by many, particularly university students and flower vendors.
Malaysia
Malaysia is located in South East Asia. However, the country has been completely anti-Valentine’s Day celebration since 2005 when a fatwa was issued, prohibiting celebrations on this day. Malaysia reportedly blames Valentine’s Day for disaster and moral decay among young people. Hence, an anti-Valentine’s Day campaign is launched yearly and anyone found celebrating on this day stands a risk of being arrested by the authorities.
Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyz Republic is a landlocked country in Central Asia. However, officials in some parts of the country believe “the holiday of love is a bad influence on children’s morality”. According to reports, a member of Kyrgyzstan’s parliament even called the celebration a “holiday from the devil”. In other words, this country should be avoided when you want to spend a nice Valentine’s Day with your partner.
India
The Republic of India is located in South Asia and the most populous country in the world as of June 2023. Although Valentine’s Day is not officially illegal in India, Hindu hardliners are protesting against celebrations on this day.
Russia
Russia is the first European country on the list. Located in Eastern Europe, some parts of the country frown heavily on Valentine’s Day. Belgorod province, for instance, banned Valentine’s celebration citing spiritual security. “We could just as well have introduced a Vodka Day,” the Governor’s spokesman reportedly said.
Turkey
Turkey’s biggest city, Istanbul, economic, cultural and historic hub. The city is famous for its rich history. Istanbul is also an Islamic city, with over 3,000 mosques – including the majestic Süleymaniye Mosque and the Blue Mosque. However, the party life has been significantly dampened by a tax on alcohol and cigarette. According to Euro News, the cost of tobacco and drinks has risen by 47 per cent, affecting club-goers and restaurants since January 1, 2024. So, couples may not be able to have a lot fun in this city and may have to seek their enjoyment someplace else.
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