Yesterday we went to the mall to find some ingredients for the bake sale tomorrow at our daughter’s school. It’s just Tuesday so the malls wouldn’t be packed like crazy like when it is Thursday night, the last working week of the hardworking people of the UAE.
The mall was full. What were the people doing there? and all the rows and rows of heart-shaped cases of chocolates and fancies? Looks like Dubaians start preparing for Valentine’s Day early. A man hoarded an entire cart-full of red heart-shaped box of Lindor chocolates — for his, ah, many wives? Just kidding, I don’t know.
With that thought, I remembered the news flash on the radio this morning:
The virtue police in Saudi Arabia have ordered shops to remove roses and other items that are red to prevent the celebration of Valentine’s day February 14. The V-day ban is imposed because this particular occasion encourages immoral relations between unmarried men and women.
However here in Dubai, also a city in the Middle East, the whole city is preparing for Valentines. The malls, the florists are donned in red, hotels and restaurants have some programs and promotions aired over the radio over and over. A little freedom is delicious.





{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
banned in Saudi Arabia? that’s funny.. and crazy
shiera’s last blog post..For now, Sayonara
Totally unrelated to this post, but I was watching my Swiss news on TV5 here and I missed the beginning part, BUT they were speaking about how much more strict Dubai was getting and that this swiss Guy was serving a jail sentence for having poppy seeds! I SAID WHAT????
I thought they were kidding. I know that Dubai wants the Tourism, I can’t imagine they being soo difficult. HAve you heard anything like that?
Yes, I have heard. You just probably don’t want to hear the details of a guy who they suspected to be hiding some drugs in his a* s * s. Seriously, it’s zero tolerance for drugs here.
Ah yes, Valentines Day. I am so happy I got Hubby his card last week before my back went out!
Oh, good grief. Banning red? Surely there’s more important things to worry about. But those Saudis are crazy. I hear they may ban the letter X because it too closely resembles…the cross.
Jennifer in OR’s last blog post..WFMW: Just Eat the Ice Cream
Hi, this is my first time visiting. I hopped over from New Parent.
Interesting blog you have here.
The one about that man buying choc by cartload had me chuckling..yea, i think you are prob right and its for his many wives.
allthingspurple’s last blog post..Mad about animal prints !!! Yes, its diapers again !!
happy vday!
rose’s last blog post..the greatest irony
I didn’t realize that there are places that ban Valentine’s Day. How interesting.
kailani’s last blog post..Happy Valentine’s Day
I’m surprised to hear that those countries even celebrate V-Day. You learn something new every day…
That reminds me, I need to get a gift for my boyfriend to nourish my immoral relationship. Shhh, don’t tell my husband!
nicki’s last blog post..A Hearty Snack