Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love. This is accompanied by gifts and all things relating to love. Despite the fact that love does not require a specific day to be “celebrated,” this is a special day in which people express their love and affection for one another.
Nonetheless, Valentine’s Day is or was prohibited in the following five locations due to religious tradition or other factors:
Malaysia
In 2005, Islamic authorities decided that Valentine’s Day would no longer be celebrated. In an effort to enforce this, a fatwa prohibiting Valentine’s Day celebrations was issued.
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The reason for this is that according to the authorities, February 14 has been used by young people as a gateway to disaster and moral decay. According to reports, Malaysians who go out to celebrate run the risk of being arrested.
However, a few individuals find ways to celebrate.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a large, landlocked country in Central Asia that achieved independence in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
In Uzbekistan, Valentine’s Day is also frowned upon. This Islamic nation was actually tolerant of this celebration until 2012, when the Department of Enlightenment and the Promotion of Values within the Ministry of Education decided to ban it.
Although it is not illegal to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Uzbekistan, it is strongly discouraged, and citizens are encouraged to celebrate the birthday of an Uzbek hero, Babur, instead.
Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran banned Valentine’s Day in 2010. The government determined that Valentine’s Day promotes “degenerate” Western culture and illicit relationships.
It is so grave that the government has banned the production of all Valentine’s Day gifts and merchandise.
It is prohibited for unmarried couples to interact with one another.
Saudi Arabia
Another Islamic country where Valentine’s Day celebrations were once frowned upon is Saudi Arabia. Even shops were forbidden from selling Valentine’s Day-related items, as it was believed that the majority of Valentine’s Day customs violated the country’s ideology.
However, this restriction has been lifted, and more Saudis now celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, Valentine’s Day is prohibited because it is deemed contrary to Islamic teachings. The ban was enacted by the Islamabad High Court in 2018 in response to a petition from a citizen who claimed Valentine’s Day was a Western cultural import and “contrary to the teachings of Islam.”
Numerous riots have occurred in this country in relation to the celebration of Valentine’s Day.
