[Arab News] Shops in Iran have been banned from selling Valentine cards and gifts as the traditional lovers' day gains increasing popularity in the Islamic republic, the ILNA news agency reported on Sunday."In the run-up to Valentine's Day on Feb. 14 the printing works owners' union issued a directive banning the printing and distribution of any goods promoting this day," ILNA news agency reported.
"Printing and producing any goods related to this day including posters, boxes and cards emblazoned with hearts or half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting this day are banned," the union said in the directive.
"Outlets that violate this will be legally dealt with," it warned.
The annual homage to romance on Feb. 14 has become popular in recent years in Iran and other places in the Middle East.
The backlash in the Islamic Theocratic
Republicis part of a drive against the spread of Western culture.
Over the past three decades the regime has sought to prevent the spread of Western culture among its overwhelmingly young population.
Every year gift shops in large cities are festooned with Valentine's Day paraphernalia and restaurants in Tehran are packed with young men and women.
However,
The infamous
However...
the trend has been harshly criticized by conservatives who see no room in Islamic culture for such celebrations.
Some nationalist Iranians have also suggested replacing Valentine's Day with Mehregan -- a pre-Islamic but obsolete festival in early October -- marking the autumn equinox and honoring the ancient Persian symbol of love, Mithra.