Valentine: List of Countries Where February 14th Is Just Another Day
- In various parts of the world, Valentine's Day, a celebration of love and affection, is met with varying degrees of acceptance and even prohibition
- Despite its widespread observance in many countries, a handful exists where its celebration is restricted or banned
- This is due to cultural, religious, or ideological reasons, and a list compiled by Legit.ng encompasses nations where authorities have imposed legal constraints on Valentine's Day
Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro
Valentine's Day, with its hallmark red roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and romantic gestures, is celebrated enthusiastically in many parts of the world.
However, amidst the sea of affectionate displays and declarations of love, there exist nations where this tradition remains largely absent or is observed in a markedly different manner.
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From cultural norms to historical influences, various factors shape Valentine's Day's absence or unique observance across different corners of the globe.
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In this article, we embark on a journey to uncover a curated list of countries where Valentine's Day is not celebrated traditionally, delving into the rich tapestry of cultural diversity and exploring the intriguing customs that take precedence over this widely recognized Day of love.
1. Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan, renowned for its rich history and varied cultural tapestry with Islam at its core, has shifted its approach towards Valentine's Day.
While previously tolerant of this celebration, a decree in 2012 from the Ministry of Education's Department of Enlightenment and the Promotion of Values prohibited its observance.
Instead, Uzbekistan now honours the birthday of its national hero, Babur, a Mughal Emperor.
Though not explicitly illegal, Valentine's Day is actively discouraged in favour of commemorating Babur.
2. Iran
Recently, Iranian officials have sought to prohibit the observance of Valentine's Day, denouncing it as a "decadent Western tradition" and warning businesses of legal consequences for selling Valentine's Day merchandise, BBC reported.
Nevertheless, despite these restrictions, numerous restaurants in Tehran have reported being fully booked, and several shops have been observed selling teddy bears and chocolates.
To evade potential legal repercussions, these establishments have implemented lookout systems to detect Valentine's Day patrols conducted by inspectors.
3. Malaysia
Malaysia, a Southeast Asian nation, is a federal monarchy with a diverse population and a constitution guaranteeing religious freedom.
However, it’s predominantly Muslim, with Kuala Lumpur as its capital.
Valentine’s Day has been prohibited since 2005, with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department associating it with various societal issues like abortion and alcohol.
They argue that the holiday promotes negative behaviours, particularly among the youth, and an annual anti-Valentine’s Day campaign reinforces this stance.
Those who choose to celebrate face potential arrest, as it is deemed risky behaviour.
4. Indonesia
In Indonesia, no specific law explicitly forbids the observance of this particular day.
Nevertheless, certain regions like Surabaya and Makassar, where more conservative Islamic beliefs prevail, employ tactics of intimidation or implement limited prohibitions.
Conversely, in Banda Aceh, celebrations are outrightly prohibited.
5. Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, authorities rigorously enforce the prohibition on Valentine's Day celebrations. The sale of roses, red items, and cards with romantic themes is prohibited well before February 14.
This crackdown has spurred an underground market for Valentine's Day goods.
6. Pakistan
In Pakistan, Valentine's Day sparks conflicting sentiments, with past incidents of riots reflecting divergent beliefs.
In 2014, clashes erupted between students from two universities in Peshawar over differing interpretations of Valentine's Day within Islamic law.
Stone-throwing escalated to gunfire, resulting in injuries to three students.
Subsequently, a private citizen petitioned the Islamabad High Court to prohibit Valentine's Day observances.
On February 7th, 2018, the court granted the ban, citing the day as a Western import conflicting with Islamic principles, leading to restrictions on celebrations and media coverage.
However, dissent remains among university students and flower vendors who thrived on Valentine's Day sales.
7. India
Because of India's liberation from British rule in 1947, the government has been hesitant to promote Western ideals and customs.
In a statement to The Times of India in 2015, party leader Chandra Prakash Kaushik expressed that while not opposed to love, couples should consider marriage if they are genuinely in love rather than openly displaying affection without commitment.
8. Russia
In Russia, March 8 marks a unique version of Valentine's Day known as International Women's Day.
Unlike traditional Valentine's Day, this celebration emphasises honouring women and promoting gender equality.
It involves customary exchanges of flowers and chocolates, along with a reversal of household responsibilities, allowing women to enjoy a day of rest. At the same time, men take on cooking and cleaning duties.
This alternative approach to Valentine's Day underscores Russia's commitment to recognising and appreciating the contributions of women worldwide, as highlighted in a report by Wedded Wonderland.
Valentine's Day: 5 creative ways to celebrate on a pocket-friendly budget
Celebrating Valentine's Day with loved ones does not necessarily have to drain your bank account.
In Nigeria, money is hard to come by, and it is only fair to plan carefully on a realistic budget.
Legit.ng suggests excellent, creative and exciting ways to spend the day and have as much fun as possible.
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Source: Legit.ng
