In Saudi Arabia, the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has banned the color red until after Valentine’s Day, visiting flower and gift shops to stop the sale of items that could be construed as celebrating the non-Islamic holiday. The Saudi Gazette suggests Valentine’s Day is especially targeted since it celebrates immoral relations.

Every year, Commission agents visit flower shops a couple of days before Feb. 14 to issue warnings. On the eve of Valentine’s Day, they start their raids and confiscate any red items that are symbols of love, florists here said.

But as a result of the ban, there’s a black market in red roses.

“A single rose costs around SR5-7 but today the same rose costs SR10 a piece and the price will go up to SR20-30 on Valentine’s Day,” said a florist who caters to customers on Valentine’s Day from his apartment.

Link : (via)