Islamic nations ban citizens from celebrating valentine

February 16, 2016 6:30 PM

The reports revealed that Iran had made the move in a bid to cut down the 'decadent western culture'.

Islamic nations ban celebration of Valentines day

Even as the world had been wrapped in the euphoria of love on valentines day, news reports have revealed that Islamic nations have banned citizens from taking any part in the celebrations.

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The Police had reportedly issued a directive, warning retailers against the promotion of 'decadent Western culture through Valentine's Day rituals.'

The police had taken it a step further, warning Tehran's coffee and ice cream shops' trade union to prevent any gatherings allowing men and women to exchange Valentine's Day gifts or they could be found guilty of committing a crime.

Valentine's day celebrations have quickly become popular in Iran as well as other western countries although there have been series of attempts to stifle the spread of what is referred to as the western culture in the Islamic Republic.

Saudi Arabia has also gone to several lengths in a bid to stamp out Valentine's Day even though it is widely celebrated in nearby Dubai.

The Indonesian Council of Clerics has on several occasions, declared the February 14 celebration to stem from another faith, arguing that marking the celebrations is tantamount to promoting other faiths apart Islam.

Indonesian officials and clerics are also reported to have banned young Indonesian Muslims from celebrating Valentine's Day, their argument being that the celebrations run against Islamic teachings.

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In Banda Aceh, the capital of Muslim province of Aceh, thousands of high school students reportedly took to the streets with protest rallies, rejecting the celebration of Valentine's Day.