JEDDAH, 14 February 2005 — Red roses, teddy bears holding red hats and red cards with soft words about love are all signs that Valentine’s Day is here. For weeks, magazines and newspapers in the Kingdom have carried advertisements for stores selling certain “gifts” packaged and presented in ways that made them appropriate for Valentine’s Day. Of course, the advertising did not actually say so.

The idea has found fertile ground among teenagers, who look for gifts and red roses to exchange with each other. Some female students in schools tend to wear red sweaters over their uniforms or even red socks.

However, the religious authorities have warned the public against celebrating Valentine’s Day or selling gifts related to the holiday.

“A Muslim is prohibited from celebrating, approving or congratulating on this occasion,” said the ruling issued by the Fatwa Committee. Supporting others in celebrating the day by buying or selling Valentine’s items, presenting gifts or making festival food falls in the category of approval and is unacceptable.

A spokesman of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, meanwhile, denied that there was a ban on the sale of red roses. He said it was illogical to seize everything that is red.

“However, the commission advises people and might take action if anything attacking our religion happened,” he added.

“Valentine’s Day is not an abnormally busy day for us unlike other countries; it’s just another day. The demand for flowers is mostly during the two Islamic holidays and for special occasions like weddings,” stated several florists in Jeddah.

However, they all said that red roses are the most popular flowers, especially among young people, Valentine’s Day or not. “It’s the youth who celebrate Valentine’s Day mostly and you can’t really prevent them,” said one teenager.

Not only teens make arrangements for the day, but older people like to celebrate it with their families.

Omar, 38, marketing executive thought it a delightful thing to know that on one day the whole world is celebrating love. He saw no harm in it, especially at a time when many parts of the world have turned into war zones. “It is a relief to acknowledge love at least for one day.”

“The concept of Valentine’s Day encourages girls and boys to go out on dates and exchange gifts. It manipulates the feelings of our sons and daughters. It is unacceptable in our religion and culture,” said Khaled Hamad, a Saudi father.

“The idea of specifying a special day to celebrate love, any kind of love, is ridiculous. Do we love each other only once a year leaving 364 days bereft of love? Love and presents must be there always without specifying a special day to do so,” said Motaz Ahmad, a teacher.

An Islamic culture teacher said it was a copy of Western traditions and culture. “Schools must arrange awareness lectures to inform students about the history of this day and Islam’s opinion toward it.”

Sarah Mahmoud, a university student, commented that things that are banned are more desired. “To ban red roses and exchanging cards makes this event seem more attractive and only encourages young people to sneak around with red items.”

Sally, a 29-year-old housewife, thought that banning the celebration did not mean that the concept itself was forgotten. “Valentine’s is much more than the red color. I can be celebrating it with my close friends or my husband without using any red roses or red decorations.”

Disapproving of the celebration of Valentine’s Day is of course not confined just to Saudi Arabia or even to other Muslim countries. In India, community leaders have frequently spoken out against the holiday and Indians have sometimes destroyed cards and goods associated with the celebration.

“If Valentine’s Day causes so much unhappiness in the community here then people should respect the feelings of the local population and make remembrance of the holiday low key and private,” said Agnes Howell, a Western homemaker living in the Eastern Province. “However it is important to keep in mind that we are part of a global village and that respecting each other’s celebrations is essential too.”

With the terrible misery suffered every moment on this planet it seems that each of us should have more serious issues to focus energy on than the impact of a day filled with red flowers, teddy bears and boxes of chocolates.