Priorities: Imagine if they were as zealous about rooting out "extremism" as they are about saving souls from the horrors of red roses and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. Of course, if that were really the case, the muttaween would have to arrest themselves. "Saudi Arabia's religious police out in force in run-up to Valentine's Day," by Hugh Tomlinson for the Times Online, February 12:
If you can't stand shops filled with roses, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, teddy bears, cards and novelty gifts, Saudi Arabia is the place to be this Valentine's Day.
The country's feared muttawa -- religious police -- have launched a campaign to banish from the shelves anything that could be construed as a romantic gift. As Sunday approaches, they have been patrolling the shops and posting warnings in local newspapers to remind traders that anyone caught violating the ban will be punished.
Saudi Arabia adheres to a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam and bans the celebration of Western holidays -- and Valentine's Day is a particular target because of its nominal connection to the life of a Christian saint. The kingdom, the birthplace of Islam, also bans birthday celebrations and Mother's Day, and even several Muslim holidays, because it considers them "religious innovations" that Islam does not sanction.
But roses and romantic gifts are legal for the rest of the year -- so amorous Saudis and expatriates have been buying their gifts well in advance of the Valentine's Day crackdown.
The interpretation of what constitutes a romantic gift can be a little arbitrary:one Western resident in the capital, Riyadh, said that the shelves in his local store had been stripped of almost all red items, with nervous storeowners taking no chances.
More liberal Arab countries in the region have no such reservations. In Cairo, the Egyptian capital, and Dubai, for example, shops and restaurants mark Valentine's Day with an abundance of red ribbon and heart decorations, in a manner as garish as any Western capital.
In Riyadh, dating in the Western sense is not socially acceptable, though unmarried couples do meet in restaurants and cafés that have partitions to hide them. However, the arrival of mobile phones, e-mail and internet chatrooms has radically altered the dating scene, allowing couples to communicate in private....
Islam is powered by sexual repression: http://crombouke.blogspot.com/2010/01/islam-is-powered-by-muslim-sexual.html
Make love, not jihad!
http://newstime.co.nz/2010/apologize-for-the-crusades-never.html
“Apologize for the Crusades? Never!” By “New York Times” Bestseller Author Robert Spencer
The Saudis even ban Mother's Day.
These people are just sick, twisted, demented individuals.
God forbid that Valentine's Day - a day noted for couples getting together in love and harmony - should be allowed in Islam.
Islam keeps proving again and again that it's against notions of love, equality, harmony and brotherhood. "Islam means peace"? What utter tosh.
and the list just keeps growing:
http://amboytimes.typepad.com/the_amboy_times/2007/02/the_list_of_thi.html
In moral upstanding Saudi Arabia it's not proper to give strange women flowers. Unless that strange woman is a 8 year old prospective bride. Their culture is the scum of the Earth.
Oh I get it. If you will be my concubine I wil be your jihad valentine?
"However, the arrival of mobile phones, e-mail and internet chatrooms has radically altered the dating scene, allowing couples to communicate in private...."
Iran is solving this problem by banning western services and developing its own "Iranian email" so that there will be "trust between the government and the people."
Uh-huh - Stalin must be smiling from his grave...
Resting In Peace with islam:
No Merrry Christmas
No Happy Birthday
No Valentines Day
No I Love You
No Music - No Art - No laughter
=====================
And you wonder why muhammadans have that "cold dead fish look" in their eyes?
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU EXPECT FROM A MAN WHO BANNED MUSIC,DOGS AND ARTS(MUHAMMAD)?WHO HAD SEX WITH A NINE YEAR OLD GIRL? COME ON THAT S ISLAM,WELCOME IN..
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU EXPECT FROM A MAN WHO BANNED MUSIC,DOGS AND ARTS ?WHO HAD SEX WITH A NINE YEAR OLD GIRL? WHO SAID" I AM THE PROPHET WHO LAUGHS WHEN KILLING MY ENNEMIES"(HADITH) COME ON THAT S ISLAM,WELCOME IN..
Happy "Hearts Day." If you want to send a politically correct Valentines card to someone here in the good old politically correct America. Got to be careful not to offend you know!
"In Riyadh, dating in the Western sense is not socially acceptable, though unmarried couples do meet in restaurants and cafés that have partitions to hide them."
It's like the old Dating Game show, only the partitions never come down.
And these assholes marry nine year old girls.
On Valentines Day as on every day they have no heart.