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Valentine's day might soon be banned in these African countries
The globalization of religion could soon influence Muslim dominated countries in Africa to ban Valentine's Day
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The celebration is believed to have originated from Rome even though there are varied historical stories. There is, however, a popular narration, which links the celebration to a Roman priest and martyr by, name St. Valentine.
The day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.
R AE READ ALSO:READ ALSO: How I discovered there are (at least) 14 different kinds of love by analysing the world’s languages
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In several Islamic countries, Valentine day is regarded as a Christian festival and Muslims are barred from participating in it.
In Saudi Arabia for instance, the religious police have banned celebrating Valentine’s Day and all associated events and customs. The ban has created a black market for roses and wrappers as non-Muslims find illegal means to purchase gifts for their partners on the day.
Iran and Pakistan both have such opposition against the celebration of Valentine’s Day with the latter banning the printing and distribution of Valentine’s Day cards in 2011.
Pakistan has also banned the celebrations stating “immorality and nudity” as the reasons.
Taufeeq Leghari, a supporter of the ban told Reuters news: “We're Muslims. Our religion forbids things like Valentine's Day.”
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Economic wise, Salman Mahmod, a florist, expressed how the ban will affect his business: “I don't know what danger these Islamists would face if I earn a little more from selling flowers and someone can have a chance to celebrate something.
Youth groups in the country share varied views with the majority seeing the ban as an infringement on their rights.“I will celebrate. It’s my choice. This is my choice," Abid Ansari, 21, said. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has warned broadcasters not to telecast anything that promotes the celebrations.
“Respondents are directed to ensure that nothing about the celebration of Valentine Day and its promotion is spread on the Electronic and Print Media.”
Such bans and strict religious ideologies of the celebration in major Islamic countries have sparked discussions from clerics as to what the Islam says about Valentine’s Day.
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Mr Anwar Abbas the Head of Education at the semi-official Indonesian Council of Muslim Scholars had this to say: “Valentine’s Day is not compatible with our nation’s culture and religious tenets. This culture will destroy the morality of the young generation.”
The ban is predominant in countries mostly dominated by Muslims.
The story, however, is different in Africa as countries such as Egypt and Morocco celebrate Valentine’s Day and do it in grand style because it falls in line with the country’s emotional ties with love.“There are many foreign holidays that are ignored in Egypt, but Valentine’s Day is one that caught on because it hits a very important emotion with Egyptians — love,” Rola Kharsa, a TV presenter, told Arab News.Even though no African country has banned the celebrations, with countries such as Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Mali, Niger, Sudan, Senegal and Algeria having over 90% of their population being Muslims, there is a high likelihood that these countries will enact laws banning the celebrations.
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