http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=58986&d=14&m=2&y=2005
The Middle East's Leading English Language Daily
Monday, 14, February, 2005 (05, Muharram, 1426)
Hearts & Flowers Find Few Takers
Maha Akeel, Ghada Aboud & Lulwa Shalhoub, Arab News -
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.
Copyright: Arab News � 2003 All rights reserved. Site designed by:
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