RIYADH, 17 February — A number of young people in the capital were “taken to task” by the Committee for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue on Feb. 14 for buying red roses and teddy bears in apparent celebration of Valentine’s Day, which the committee had banned as a “pagan ritual”.
A source at the committee told Arab News that the teddy bears and roses were spotted on the back seats of cars.
The commission’s offices in different parts of the capital city confiscated a large number of red roses, teddy bears and greeting cards bought to mark the “day of love”.
The Higher Committee for Scientific Research and Issuance of Fatwas had earlier stated that Muslims are not allowed to celebrate Valentine’s Day or other holidays that are not recognized by Islam.
