Valentine's Day prohibited in certain Asian regions
In some parts of Asia, the celebration of Valentine's Day has been met with restrictions or outright bans, primarily due to religious, moral, and cultural concerns. This is particularly true in Muslim-majority countries or regions, where the holiday is seen as a Western, non-Islamic cultural import that conflicts with local religious values and social norms.
Countries with strong Islamic governance or influence, such as Malaysia, have banned or restricted Valentine's Day due to activities considered un-Islamic or immoral. These include public displays of affection, gift-exchanging tied to romantic love outside marriage, and promotion of Western values, which clash with local interpretations of Islamic teachings. Religious police enforce bans on selling Valentine's Day gifts and gatherings associated with the holiday to uphold moral standards.
Some governments view Valentine's Day as an unwanted Western cultural import that could erode traditional or religious values among local populations. This leads to official prohibitions to prevent the holiday's influence within conservative societies. In Brunei, strict laws forbid public celebration of certain non-Islamic holidays, with penalties including imprisonment. This reflects a broader pattern where governments seek to control public expressions that challenge dominant religious or cultural norms.
In addition to religious reasons, some bans on Western festivities like Valentine's Day serve broader political or social control objectives by enforcing conformity and limiting perceived foreign cultural influence.
In contrast, countries such as South Korea do not ban Valentine's Day but have local customs that differ, such as men receiving chocolates on Valentine's Day instead of giving them. Many other Asian countries celebrate Valentine's Day without bans or restrictions.
Valentine's Day is also outlawed in Saudi Arabia, with the religious police prohibiting the sales of Valentine's Day merchandise. This has led to a black market for roses and other festive items.
Elsewhere, news emerges from the tech world. Kaspersky Lab, a Russian security software producer, has filed a U.S. federal lawsuit to overturn a Trump administration ban on the use of its products in government networks. The company claims that the ban deprived it of its due process rights.
In a separate development, a California bill aims to ban microbeads in cosmetics.
Despite these restrictions and legal battles, the spending on Valentine's Day in America is projected to decrease by 7%.
- The prohibition of Valentine's Day in some countries like Saudi Arabia is not limited to religious reasons, as it also serves to exert political control by enforcing conformity and limiting foreign cultural influence.
- While governments in countries such as Malaysia and Brunei ban or restrict Valentine's Day due to religious concerns, other regions like South Korea modify the celebration with local customs, such as men receiving chocolates on Valentine's Day instead of giving them. In contrast, tech news reveals a legal battle in the US, where Kaspersky Lab, a Russian security software producer, is challenging a Trump administration ban on its products in government networks.
