Eight countries that don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day, observed annually on February 14, is fast approaching. February, widely recognized as the month of love, sets the stage for this special day dedicated to expressing affection. Across numerous countries, people celebrate Valentine’s Day by conveying their emotions to loved ones through the exchange of beautiful flowers and gifts.
On the other hand, many Eastern countries choose not to celebrate Valentine’s Day because of different religious beliefs.
1. Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is well known for its long history and diverse culture with Islam as the dominant religion. The country was tolerant of Valentine’s Day celebrations for many years until 2012 when an internal decree that bans the celebration of this holiday was issued by the Ministry of Education’s Department of Enlightenment and the Promotion of Values.
Instead of observing Valentine’s Day, people in Uzbekistan celebrate the birthday of their country’s hero – Babur – a Mughal Emperor. Valentine’s Day is not illegal, but it is strongly discouraged in favour of commemorating Babur.
2. Iran
In recent years, Iranian authorities have aimed to forbid Valentine’s celebrations, calling the holiday a “decadent Western custom” and threatening shops and restaurants with prosecution if they sell Valentine’s Day gifts.
Despite this, numerous restaurants in Tehran have reported been fully booked and many shops have been seen selling teddy bears and chocolates. Because they are defying the law, establishments use lookouts to see if inspectors are on a Valentine’s Day patrol.
3. Malaysia
Malaysia is a federal, constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia, divided by the South China Sea into two regions. The constitution grants freedom of religion, but it is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country, the population of which is approximately 60 percent Muslim. The capital is Kuala Lumpur.
Since 2005, the celebration of Valentine’s Day has been banned. The Malaysian Islamic Development Department blames the holiday for everything from abortion to alcohol and takes the stance that it is a link of negative ills that can invite disaster and moral decay among youth. There is even an annual anti-Valentine’s Day campaign to reinforce the view. Anybody going out and celebrating does so at their own risk, including arrests.
4. Indonesia
No law expressly prohibits the celebration of the day in Indonesia. However, in some areas of the country such as Surabaya and Makassar where people have more radical Muslim views, intimidation tactics or small-scale bans are used while in Bando Aceh, there is an outright ban.
5. Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, conservative officials strictly impose the ban on the holiday. Selling roses, red products and love-themed cards are banned in advance of February 14. The phenomenon has led to the creation of a black market of Valentine’s day products.
6. Pakistan
Pakistan is another country that has mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day. Pakistan has been subject to numerous riots surrounding the celebration of Valentine’s Day. In 2014, two universities in Peshawar and Pakistan clashed with each other’s beliefs over the ideology of Valentine’s Day in the eyes of Islamic Law.
Students threw rocks at one another, which eventually led to gunshots being fired from both sides, injuring three students, according to Wedded Wonderland.
A private citizen petitioned the High Court in Islamabad to have the day banned. Finally, on February 7th, 2018, the Islamabad High Court banned Valentine’s Day celebrations and media coverage, claiming that it was a Western cultural import that contradicted Islamic teachings. Not everyone in Pakistan agrees with this decision, especially university students and flower vendors who did well on Valentine’s Day.
7. India
Owing to its independent revolution from the British empire in 1947, the Indian government refused to advocate Western values and culture.
In 2015, party leader Chandra Prakash Kaushik told The Times of India “We are not against love, but if a couple is in love then they must get married … if they are not certain, they should not belittle love by openly going around together.”
8. Russia
Technically, Russia does celebrate a type of Valentine’s Day, but it is very different from the traditional holiday. On March 8, Russians celebrate International Women’s Day in much the same way that Western cultures celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Gifting each other flowers and chocolate is very common on this day, as is expecting husbands and boyfriends to do all the cooking and cleaning, letting women have a full day of rest.
Instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day because of a saint, Russia chooses to celebrate the love for their women, paying tribute to women across the globe and equal rights, according to Wedded Wonderland’s report.