Saudi Religious Police Again Crack Down On Sale of Valentine's Day Items

As Valentine's Day approaches, yesterday the Saudi Arabian religious police (muttawa) started their annual crack down on stores selling red roses, heart shaped items or gifts wrapped in red. AP reported that police have published a statement in Saudi papers warning stores not to stock such items. The country bans the celebration of Western holidays such as St. Valentine's Day that is named after a Christian saint. Conservative Muslims see it as a celebration of romantic love that corrupts Muslim young people. However Valentine's Day is popular in some parts of the Arab world-- such as Egypt and Dubai. Some Saudis shop for Valentine items weeks in advance to avoid the restrictions enforced by police closer to the day. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]