Muslims urged to shun Valentine's Day
Fri 13 February, 2004 10:59

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's religious authorities have ordered Muslims to shun the "pagan" holiday of Valentine's Day so as not to incur God's wrath, the local al-Riyadh newspaper says.
"It is a pagan Christian holiday and Muslims who believe in God and Judgment Day should not celebrate or acknowledge it or congratulate (people on it). It is a duty to shun it to avoid God's anger and punishment," said an edict issued by Saudi Arabia's fatwa committee published in the Arabic-language daily on Friday.

"There are only two holidays in Islam -- Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha -- and any other holidays, whether to celebrate an individual, group or event, are inventions which Muslims are banned from," said the committee, headed by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh.

Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are Muslim feasts that follow the annual fasting month of Ramadan and the haj pilgrimage.

The kingdom, which implements a strict version of Islamic law, bans non-Muslim holidays and its morality police usually conduct raids to ensure shops do not sell gifts or ornaments on New Year, Christmas or Valentine's Day, which is named after a Christian saint.

About seven million foreigners live in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam. Many of them are from Asian countries where Valentines' Day is celebrated.

Most Gulf Arab states, such as the United Arab Emirates, celebrate Valentine's Day. Stores fill with cards, red roses and gifts, and hotels and restaurants have special activities.