Saudis celebrate Valentine’s Day today
JEDDAH: Love is in the air and hearts and flowers are everywhere as the Kingdom prepares to celebrate the once “haram” Valentine’s Day today. As recently as three years ago it would have been unthinkable — Saudi Arabia’s feared religious police saw to that, foreign media reported.
Florists and confectioners used to hide their red roses and heart-shaped chocolate in fear of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV). Restaurant owners even banned birthday or anniversary celebrations on Feb. 14 for fear of arrest or closure.
A breakthrough came in 2018, when former Makkah CPVPV President Sheikh Ahmed Qasim Al-Ghamdi declared that Valentine’s Day did not contradict Islamic teaching or doctrine. Celebrating love was universal, and not limited to non-Muslims, he said. Now Saudis are buying extravagant gifts, flowers, cheesy balloons and even the cliched teddy bears for that special person.
-
Victor Wembanyama’s Historic First Half Tops Tim Duncan, Sparks Massive NBA Reactions -
'Heartbroken' Vanessa Hudgens Mourns Death Of Her 'sweet Girl' -
Sarah Ferguson’s Loyalty To Andrew Gone With ‘free’ Home And Perks -
Diplo Teases Collaboration With BTS On New Album 'ARIRANG' -
Cure Flu With Theses Two Golden Foods -
King Charles Delayed Taking Firm Stance Against Andrew But William Pushed Action -
Toronto Blue Jays Roster Faces Setback With Multiple Injury Concerns -
Demi Lovato Leaves Fans Disappointed With Unexpected Announcement -
Pacers Vs Knicks Overtime Thriller Ends In Heartbreak For New York -
Who Owns The Ambassador Bridge? New Report Links Owner Matthew Moroun To Trump’s Threat -
ICE Detention Center Plan Sparks Controversy In Maryland As Lawmakers Push Back -
Blood Pressure Medication Recalled After Wrong Tablets Found In Bottles -
Why Ariana Grande Wants A 'tiny Mouse' To Play Her In Biopic? -
Wind Chill Returns With Brutal Cold As Polar Vortex Stalls Over Canada -
Princess Beatrice, Eugenie ‘do Not Want To Be Seen In Public’ Because Of Dad -
Costco $20 Rule Explained As Employee Pay Climbs Across North America