Valentine’s Special: Saudi religious police deny intent to close flower shops

[rug]

Florists and toy stores sometimes hide their red roses and romantic gifts out of sight to avoid being shut down during Valentine’s Day. (Al Arabiya Net)

Tuesday, 12 February 2013
By Al Arabiya

The head of Saudi Arabia’s Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice [CPVPV], denied on Tuesday plans to close shops selling flowers during Valentine’s Day.

Sheikh Abdullatif al-Sheikh told the Saudi daily newspaper al-Jazirah: “This is not our specialty. It is the specialty of other parties. We reject what violates the book (Quran) and the Sunna (the Prophet’s teaching) and Saudi Arabia’s regulations.”

“We deal with issues on a case by case basis, and if there is a violation our role is to liaise with concerned government parties,” he added.

Al-Sheikh’s statements followed widely-circulated reports that commission is planning to close all shops selling flowers on Valentine’s Day.

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/02/12/265923.html

[cbayer]

1. The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice

doesn't like red roses.

Who would have guessed?

[okasha]

2. Definitely not Summer of Love types.

nt

[cbayer]

3. No daisies in their guns, eh?

[dimbear]

4. They may have read some poetry, in which case we know what crossed their minds. n/t