Saudi Arabia is changing very fast and the world is aware of it too. Now there are also music festivals and film festivals. Fairs are also decorated and big shopping malls also open till late at night. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is changing the picture of the country. Now women have the freedom to drive. She can wear a burqa of her choice instead of a black abaya (full burqa).
Today is Valentine’s Day. Its effect can also be seen in Saudi Arabia. There are thousands of gifts in malls here. Yes, there is a restriction and it looks strange. And that is that no shopkeeper can write ‘Valentine’s Day’ on the promotion or display board.
Just distance and abstain from the word
News agency ‘Reuters and AFP’ have published reports on Valentine’s Day in Saudi Arabia. According to them, the displays of most shopping malls have hundreds and thousands of gift items. In these, from women’s clothing to expensive perfumes and wallets, bracelets are also available. The young generation of Saudi Arabia is also buying these gifts with great interest. But, it is fun that somewhere you can find a word like Valentine’s Day written.
Riyadh’s Granada Shopping Mall and the ruddy gown present there.
The orders of the management are displayed
in a shop in the special and common clothes of women. The color of most is ruddy red. This color is the symbol or symbol of Valentine’s Day. A salesman present here said – Management has asked us to decorate the display window in the best possible way. But, it is also a strict order that the word Valentine’s Day should not be used anywhere.
There is still a system of religious pulsing in Saudi Arabia. Some orders have also been issued from his side. It also includes not using the word Valentine’s Day. Overall, the effect of Valentine’s Day can be felt even in Saudi Arabia where holidays were available only on religious festivals.
Women walk past a promotion window and in front of a shopping mall in Riyadh.
Winds of Change
Crown Prince Salman wants to move the country beyond the oil-based economy by 2030 and is making major changes for this. For this, the strictness of religious policing has also been reduced to a great extent. Work is also being done fast on making Saudi a tourism based economy.
However, some people are also uncomfortable with the women’s clothes displayed in shops on Valentine’s Day. One woman said- We do not feel very comfortable seeing all these things. But, if some people like it then it is a matter of their choice.
A saleswoman in a gift shop.
Desire of Young Generation
More than half of the country’s population is below 35 years of age. Valentine is special for them. Khulod, a 36-year-old saleswoman from Riyadh, said – Earlier people did not celebrate Valentine’s Day, but now many people celebrate it. There is a special demand for red clothes during this time.
Some shops are giving discounts as well. Reem Al Khatani, 22, says – Saudi society is changing. People are now accepting Valentine’s Day. However, its name is still not taken. At present, we are able to celebrate it only in cafes and restaurants.
