« What an Economist gets his Wife for Valentines | Main | Cryonics: both sides of the story »
Valentine's Day in Saudi Arabia
Every year, officials with the conservative Muslim kingdom's Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice clamp down on shops a few days before February 14, instructing them to remove red roses, red wrapping paper, gift boxes and teddy bears. On the eve of the holiday, they raid stores and seize symbols of love.
Here is more, with a thanks to BZ for the pointer. Yes, this morning I was crying at Heathrow, and not just because they didn't have an open gate to receive our flight.
Posted by Tyler Cowen on February 14, 2008 at 08:09 AM in Law | Permalink
Comments
The Saudis operate under the impression that the Feast of Saint Valentine is a religious holiday, which is why it is so verboten to them. This is a bit funny, because it is, or was. Seems like they have a better understanding of its roots than we do.
Not to fear, next door in the UAE Valentines is celebrated in all its Western consumerist excess. Yet they have less democracy than Saudi. Odd.
Posted by: bartman at Feb 14, 2008 9:11:52 AM
Bartman - You're on target with all you say, except for the bit about the UAE having less democracy than Saudi Arabia. Both are autocratic to be sure, but the majlis - and listening to citizen opinion - is stronger in the UAE. So are civil rights, and the rights of the press.
The URL I've given is an old post I did at Emirates Economist comparing Valentines day in the two countries.
Posted by: John B. Chilton at Feb 14, 2008 11:37:16 AM
I understand what you're saying, John - I have argued it to many Americans who don't appreciate the difference between the UAE and Saudi, nor understand just how the tribal majlis system is actually a very consultative form of government.
It's just that in a strict technical definition, Saudi has more elected politicians. I think the elected town councils in Saudi have a bit more authority that the rubber-stamp body known as the UAE FNC - it would be impossible to have less.
Posted by: bartman at Feb 14, 2008 12:47:28 PM
i think this is a very strange phenomenon.
as i am a chinese, i really cannot imagine than religion can have so strong a power.
but how about the people in Saudi Arabia? why donot they protest? where there is a will
there is a way. the traditional idea will surely be replaced by the new idea.
Posted by: tony at Feb 20, 2008 9:53:13 AM
