KABUL (SW) – This year’s Valentine Day celebrations were muted as youth avoided marking it in the public in the wake of the rise to power by the Islamic Emirate.
For many past years, this day has been celebrated in Afghanistan to celebrate love, but some young people in Kabul said on Monday that this year they have not celebrated the Valentine’s Day as much as in the past.
In previous years, the flower shop alley in Kabul and some other parts of the city witnessed the presence of young people to buy flowers and other gifts, but none of this was seen this year.
Idrees Benava, a resident of Kabul who came to the alley, one of the busiest neighborhoods on Valentine’s Day, said that this year the number of young people in this place is less than in previous years and they are not as eager to celebrate it as in previous years.
According to him, the officials of the Islamic Emirate have imposed restrictions this year to celebrate this day and do not allow young people. “Because the Islamic Emirate has imposed restrictions, young people do not come here. Even if they come, they will not be allowed.”
Ahmad Rashad, another resident of Kabul, spoke of the youth’s reluctance to buy flowers and gifts, stressing that in previous years there were big plans to celebrate the day, but this year there is no plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day anywhere in Kabul.
Rashad added that all citizens are in trouble and anxious and are not able to celebrate Valentine’s Day materially.
Residents of Kabul emphasized that Valentine’s Day is an excuse to spend a few moments happily and buy gifts for each other and there should not be an obstacle to celebrate this day.
We wanted to have the views of the officials of the Islamic Emirate in this regard, but we did not succeed.
Valentine’s Day, celebrated by millions around the world, is rooted in Christian culture, but in recent years, this day has been celebrated in other countries, including Islamic countries such as Afghanistan and Iran as well.
ENDS
