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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Saudi Officials See Red Over Valentine's Day

'Immoral' holiday sparks temporary ban on color

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(Newser) – In preparation for Valentine's Day, Saudi Arabia has temporarily banned all things red. The morality cops are out in force in search of the color of love, reports CNN, with plans to confiscate everything from flowers to stuffed toys. The ban is part of a yearly effort, complete with raids on retailers on the night of Feb. 13, to quell romance's big day.

"As Muslims we shouldn't celebrate a non-Muslim celebration, especially one that encourages immoral relations between unmarried men and women," said a Saudi religious scholar. For the desperate, black-market red roses are available—at six times the normal price. "Sometimes we deliver the bouquets in the middle of the night or early morning, to avoid suspicion," said a florist.

A street vendor in Saudi Arabia attempts to sell roses before Valentine's day in this 2005 file photo. This years ban on red products before Valentines day has given birth to a black-market rose trade.
A street vendor in Saudi Arabia attempts to sell roses before Valentine's day in this 2005 file photo. This years ban on red products before Valentines day has given birth to a black-market rose trade.   (Getty Images)
A Saudi woman checks chocolate for Valentine's day at a store in the Saudi Red Sea port of Jeddah in this February 14, 2006. This year, stores are being urged to pull the color red from their displays, to remind citizens that celebration of the western holiday is a sin....
A Saudi woman checks chocolate for Valentine's day at a store in the Saudi Red Sea port of Jeddah in this February 14, 2006. This year, stores are being urged to pull the color red from their displays,...   (Getty Images)
A Saudi woman with her children look at gifts for Valentine's day at a store in the Saudi Red Sea port of Jeddah, February 14, 2006. This year, a ban on red objects and other Valentine's day trappings has inspired a black market for red roses. (HASSAN AMMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
A Saudi woman with her children look at gifts for Valentine's day at a store in the Saudi Red Sea port of Jeddah, February 14, 2006. This year, a ban on red objects and other Valentine's day trappings...   (Getty Images)
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