Opposition to Valentine's day in Iran

People of Iran in cities have gotten familiar with Valentine's Day for about one decade ago and during this short time, it has become popular among the youth and also some elders. In the 2010s, celebration of Valentine's Day became common in wealthy families and then spread among other levels of society.[1] Specialists in the country say that banning Valentine's Day would encourage the youth more towards it.[2] Although Valentine's Day is not accepted/approved by any institution or rule in the country and has no official status, it's highly accepted among a large part of the population.[3] One of the reasons for Valentine's Day breaking out into the general population in Iran is the change in relations between the sexes, which are no longer bound to marriage for two decades.[4]

Since 2009, producing posters, catalogues, gift boxes and postal cards with designs showing symbolic heart, half heart, red roses for Valentine's Day and any kind of activities introducing Valentine's Day are banned.[5] Law Enforcement Force fight with distributors of goods with symbols associated with Valentine's Day.[6]

In 2016, local media reported that police had informed coffee shops and ice cream parlours in Tehran that they would be guilty of committing a crime if they encouraged "decadent Western culture through Valentine's Day rituals".[7] Under Iran’s Islamic law, unmarried couples are not allowed to mingle. That is why each year the printing works owners’ union issues an instruction on the ban of Valentine's Day, imposed by Iranian authorities which denies them from selling gifts such as cards, and boxes with the symbols of hearts and red roses. [8] Iran says it is cracking down on Valentine’s Day celebrations and shops engaging in them will be guilty of a crime.[9]

reasons for banning Valentine's day

Seen for many as a harmless occasion to celebrate love and romance, Valentine’s Day isn’t popular everywhere in the world. In fact, in recent years some countries have even made the move of banning the celebration outright. Despite its relative popularity, not everyone is so fond of this seemingly harmless celebration. In fact, some countries have gone so far as to ban Valentine’s Day and sanction anyone caught celebrating it.[10]

In some Isalmic countries including Iran Valentine's day is considered as Christian holiday and an anti-social day which the religion of Islam prohibits from being celebrated. The celebration of Valentine day is condemned by many Islamic teachers in Iran. They oppose celebrating this day as it is against their culture.[11] In recent years Iranian authorities have forbidden Valentine’s celebrations, calling the holiday a “decadent Western custom” and threatening shops and restaurants with prosecution if they sell Valentine’s Day gifts.[12]

Sepandarmazgan, Iranian day of love
Main article: Sepandārmazgān

Sepandarmazgan, an ancient Persian festival with Zoroastrian roots, is widely known as the Iranian Day of Love, which is celebrated on February 24. In fact, this day is dedicated to Spenta Armaiti , a divine entity in Zoroastrianism.[13] Some consider this day as an alternative for Valentine's day in Iran and say that Valenetine is a word that was not familiar 10 years ago. They believe that Valentine's day is replacing Iranian day of love.[14] Valentine's day is seen as a cultural violence by many. That's why they recommend to celebrate Sepandarmazgan in place of Valentine's day.[15]

See also

References
  1. "ولنتاین تهاجم یا تهدید فرهنگی". ISNA News Agency. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  2. "راه درست برخورد با ولنتاین" (in Persian). fararunews. 19 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  3. "ولنتاین غیررسمی‌ترین جشنی که با خواب مسئولان رسمی شد" (in Persian). TABNAK professional news site. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  4. "ولنتاین تهاجم یا تهدید فرهنگی". ISNA News Agency. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  5. "چاپ تزئینات ولنتاین در ایران ممنوع شد" (in Persian). BBC news. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  6. "راه درست برخورد با ولنتاین" (in Persian). fararunews. 19 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  7. "Iran, Indonesia ban Valentine's Day celebrations". France 24. 14 February 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  8. "Iran bans production of Valentine's Day gifts". reuters. 18 February 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  9. "Valentine's Day is now a crime in Iran". New York Post. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  10. "Valentine's Day Doesn't Exist in These Countries - (Here's Why)". Culture trip. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  11. "Why is Valentine Day condemned by Islamic countries?".
  12. "7 countries that refuse to celebrate Valentine's day". wedded wonderland. 2018-02-13. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  13. "Alien festivities on Iranian calendar". Tehran Times. 3 December 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  14. "وقتی ولنتاین جای روز عشق ایرانی را می‌گیرد..." ISNA. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  15. "ولنتاین یا سپندارمذگان؛ کدام را باید جشن گرفت؟" (in Persian). Mardomsalari. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.