Iran is creating strict rules against Valentine's Day, ruling that people who are seen engaging celebrations for the holiday will be guilty of crime.
News outlets in the country warned retailers against promotion of Valentine's Day on Friday, referring to it as "decadent Western culture," according to the Associated Press. Saudi Arabia is also planning on ridding of the holiday, as is Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The main reason for the ban is that Muslim hardliners describe the holiday as an "insult to Islam," making it worthy to be a part of the Muslim community, Breitbart News reported.
"Our society and Muslim youth should certainly not be celebrating non-Islamic holidays," Mayor Illiza Saaduddin Djamal said.
Police have informed various retailers about the new rule and have warned them to avoid engaging in any celebration or gathering regarding the holiday. The rule also extends to any gifting of flowers or sweets to a loved one.
The annual Valentine's Day tradition has become a popular celebration in Iran in recent years. This recent ban on the holiday is part of a drive against the spread of Western culture.
The ban on the holiday is the latest move in the Islamic Republic taken in a push against Western culture, following five years after state media announced that "symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses, and any activities promotions this day are banned," according to Foreign Desk News. Members of the Muslim community were also warned at the time that "authorities will take action against those who ignore the ban."
