Hypocrisy 101

Islamist MPs look to ban Valentine’s Day

KUWAIT (Agencies): A group of conservative Kuwaiti lawmakers who control a sizable bloc in the parliament are looking to amend the country’s legislation to prevent any commemoration of Valentine’s Day, parliamentarians said Wednesday. The Islamists believe such imported holidays are corrupting young Muslims and stripping this country of its Arab and Muslim identity. “We are now studying the necessary amendments that would ban celebrations contradicting Sharia (Islamic Law),” said parliamentarian Jamaan Al-Harbish, part of panel examining “alien phenomena” being embraced by Kuwaitis. Despite its Western origins, Valentine’s Day appears to have been embraced by Kuwaitis and red balloons can be found all over restaurants, flower shops and stores selling chocolates. Newspapers are filled with advertisements for jewelry and cakes in the shape of hearts.

“It is the responsibility of the state to stop such activities,” said lawmaker Walid Al-Tabtabaei, who chaired the meeting which was also attended by the representatives from the ministries of interior and trade. “They are aimed at making profit and destroying Kuwaiti society.” The bearded lawmaker said that the popular holiday encouraged illicit relationships between men and women and involves a culture of “kisses and unacceptable behavior.” Islamists are politically powerful in Kuwait and have passed laws segregating men and women in university classes and have imposed restrictions on public entertainment such as music concerts. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, the feared religious police warned the kingdom’s residents Wednesday against marking the “atheist” occasion. The muttawa, as the police is called, issued its annual injunction against Valentine’s Day, saying Muslims should not congratulate each other on the occasion, nor eat, drink, sell or buy anything that relates to it.

“The (muttawa) will take all legal measures to preserve the (Muslim) ideology,” said a statement issued by the religious police. “The (muttawa) have orders to confiscate gifts and objects relating to this feast, and they have the power to take action against those selling them.” The statement did not spell out the measures the police will take against offenders, but each year, muttawa mobilize a few days before Feb 14, making rounds of gift and flower shops, confiscating all red and white items, including flowers. Aware of the ban, Saudis do their Valentine’s shopping weeks before the holiday. “We have not been selling red roses for a week and we will not bring in any until Valentine’s Day is over,” said Alan, a Filipino working at a flower shop in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

He said a member of the religious police, visited the shop a week ago and ordered the florists not to display any red roses in the runup to Feb 14. At a gift shop in the city, a salesman said the Muttawa had told him to remove from the shelves any red-colour gifts symbolising the feast of love. “We also removed red gift boxes so as not to expose ourselves to punishment, which could be to close the shop and arrest staff,” said Mohammad Hassanein al-Hawari. “I don’t know why Islamists want to ban celebrations of Valentine’s Day... I don’t think marking Valentine’s Day violates Islamic teachings,” middle-aged Kuwaiti employee Mahmoud Ahmad told AFP as he chose a gift for his wife.

Hmmm.. "stripping the country of its Arab and Muslim identity"..

Of course, having the largest Burger King in the Middle East, driving American cars, and having two Starbucks across the street from each other are all clear indicators of the country's "Arab and Muslim identity" and not "alien phenomena". Why doesn't anyone ban them? Oh right, because they make money.

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/kuwaitnews/pagesdetails.asp?nid=12280&ccid=9