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Valentine’s Day is observed on February 14 annually. On this day, people typically exchange modest gifts with their loved ones, and some choose to visit shopping centers for their Valentine’s Day shopping.
It is celebrated in various ways, with some opting for a romantic dinner at home and others preferring to have fun outside. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in many places around the world.
Valentine’s Day is not seen as special or significant in some countries and is treated like any other day of the year.
The following are countries
That do not celebrate Valentine’s Day
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.
On this day, it is common for people to give each other flowers and chocolate. Additionally, there is an expectation for husbands and boyfriends to take care of all the cooking and cleaning, allowing women to have a day of relaxation.
Russia does not celebrate Valentine’s Day in honor of a saint like many countries, but instead celebrates the love for women and pays tribute to them and their rights.
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.
Iran
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 the law against celebrating Valentine’s Day in Tehran, many restaurants have been fully booked and shops are selling teddy bears and chocolates. To avoid getting caught by inspectors, establishments use lookouts to keep an eye out for any enforcement patrols.
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.
Indonesia
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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.
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.
Pakistan
Pakistan has a divided stance on Valentine’s Day, as the country has experienced riots related to its celebration. In 2014, two universities in Peshawar were in conflict due to contrasting beliefs regarding the compatibility of Valentine’s Day with 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.
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.”