Saudis clamp down on Valentines
 

This makes me sad. I usually go bah-humbug on V-Day; but this year, as a protest against Theocracy, I think I will revel in the day, though I'm sure I'll still be single.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7239005.stm

Prices for black market roses are reported to be rising.

Religious police in Saudi Arabia are banning the sale of Valentine's Day gifts including red roses, a local newspaper has reported.

The Saudi Gazette quoted shop workers as saying that officials had warned them to remove all red items including flowers and wrapping paper.

Black market prices for roses were already rising, the paper said.

Saudi authorities consider Valentine's Day, along with a host of other annual celebrations, as un-Islamic.

In addition to the prohibition on celebrating non-Islamic festivals, the authorities consider Valentine's Day as encouraging relations between men and women outside wedlock - punishable by law in the conservative kingdom.

The Saudi Gazette reported that some people placed orders with florists days or weeks before Valentine's Day in anticipation of the ban, which is a regular occurrence.

"Sometimes we deliver the bouquets in the middle of the night or early morning, to avoid suspicion," one florist said.

Others were planning to travel to the more religiously liberal neighbouring countries, Bahrain or the United Arab Emirates, to celebrate.

Saudi Arabian authorities impose a strict Islamic code that prevents men and women from mixing.

that is so stupid

Yeah, to be honest, I'm more bothered about the "We flog women who have been ***** for being in the presence of strangers" aspect of Saudi law than the "We ban flowers" part.

When I can be depressed about the banning of roses in Sauda Arabia is when Saudi Arabia is becoming a better place.

An Islamic country bans a Christian/Pagan holiday because it's not Islamic. Big deal.

Eh well Valentines day was merely a corperate plot to sell greeting cards, there isn't really any religion tied into it.

Thinking up new ways to be the world's biggest assholes, I see.
Some cultures are just fucked up.

I just wonder why we support (like I don't already know. Two reasons, one is green the other is black.) this backwards, repressive country.

This sounds a bit like a propaganda article. I'm not saying it isn't true, i'm just a bit curious about why it is all of a sudden newsworthy if it has been happening for years and years.

Indeed.

Along with this, it doesn't really inspire any love for V-day personally. [To date, I've -never- had a satisfying V-day, and would just as well not see all the gushiness and hooplah that goes on over it. :/

Maybe if I could be part of the gushiness and hooplah, maybe...but even then, I dunno..

* sends a big bouquet of flowers (Snowdrop and Iris), a bottle of champagne and a hand made Valentine's card to Tam Li Hua *

The choice of flowers is because they are in bloom around this time of the year. Roses are usually imported and just end up further damaging our fragile environment.

Aww, you're sweet. :) *pours a glass for herself and one for Mir, puts card on display on desk*