Iranian authorities warn that they will be pursuing a crackdown on businesses that are promoting Valentine's Day celebrations. The said event is banned in Iran as it promotes Western culture and tradition.
Fox News reported that a police directive issued on Friday has reminded shops not to promote "decadent Western culture through Valentine's Day rituals." Coffee shops have received warnings to prevent gatherings of boys and girls who exchange of gifts in celebration of Valentine's Day.
Businesses caught violating the order will be subjected to prosecution.
According to Breitbart, the first Valentine's Day crackdown took place in 2009. At that time, the government banned the display of heart shapes, red roses or any symbol that would represent Valentine's Day. A lot of other things were also prohibited, such as playing Western music, unauthorized mingling of men and women, wearing Western-inspired trends and others. This ban was the result of the Green Revolution during which people protested against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's second term.
The primary reason why Valentine's Day is being banned in the country is because it poses an insult to Islam.
"Our society and Muslim youth should certainly not be celebrating non-Islamic holidays," Mayor Illiza Saaduddin Djamal said, as quoted by HNGN.
"The law says it is haram. The government is obliged to protect the public and younger generation from unlawful acts."
On Sunday, the local police will sweep the streets for shops that violate the prohibition. Anyone caught celebrating "Valentine's Day" will be "re-educated" by authorities.
Valentine's Day is also banned in Pakistan. Minister for the Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the government will impose strict action against anyone who will promote celebrations.
Saudi Arabia is also seeking to ban Valentine's Day in the country.
The Feb. 14 romantic celebration, although named after an early Christian martyr, has grown popular in Middle East territories in the recent years such as in Dubai.
