- Iran’s government says it is cracking down shops engaging in celebration of Valentine’s Day
- Police authorities informed Tehran’s coffee and ice cream shops to avoid any gatherings in which boys and girls will be exchanging Valentine’s Day gifts
- Officials also reminded shops that they cannot promote “decadent Western culture through Valentine’s Day rituals”
TEHRAN, Iran – The government of Iran says it is cracking down shops engaging in the celebration of Valentine’s Day and those who will be caught will be guilty of a crime.
An article by WRAL published on February 12 mentioned that different Iranian news outlet revealed that a police directive was received on Friday warning retailers against promoting “decadent Western culture through Valentine’s Day rituals.”
Police authorities informed Tehran’s coffee and ice cream shops to avoid any gatherings in which boys and girls will be exchanging Valentine’s Day gifts.
Valentine’s Day, an annual February 14 celebration connected to romance and named after an early Christian martyr, has become popular in recent years in Iran and other Middle East countries.
Photo Credit: Al Arabiya
Mashable mentioned in an article published on February 12 said that the backlash in the Islamic Republic is part of a drive against the spread of Western culture.
In November last year, Iranian authorities closed down the only operating KFC in Tehran. A sign posted on its door read it was “closed until further notice.”
A Tehran’s police agency said that the reason for closing it down is because its decor too closely resembled the U.S. flag. The police agency added that its presence was seen “as a part of American influence into Iranian culture.”
It also added that the U.S. “is one of Iran’s major enemies and this will have grave dangers for the country.”
An article by Breitbart published on February 12 said that Iran first cracked down on Valentine’s Day in 2009, after the Green Revolution protested Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s second term.
From that time, the government banned “symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting” Valentine’s Day, reminding shops that they cannot promote “decadent Western culture through Valentine’s Day rituals.”
Same as Iran, Saudi Arabia has also sought to stamp out Valentine’s Day, however, it’s celebrated widely in nearby places like Dubai.
Post a Comment