Tehran- IRAF- Seif ol-Kheyber, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, reacted to the observance of Valentine’s Day in Afghanistan by publishing a statement addressing the issue.
He described Valentine’s Day as a symbol of blind imitation of foreign cultures and characterized it as originating from what he called the “morally corrupt atmosphere” of Western societies.
“Love in the West Has Been Reduced to the Satisfaction of Desires”
Seif ol-Kheyber warned promoters of this culture, describing Valentine’s Day as a day for the “gratification of base desires.” He emphasized that such a day has no roots in the history or religion of the Afghan people and called it a cultural import incompatible with Islamic values.
During Afghanistan’s previous government, on February 14, sidewalks in central and northern areas of Kabul and other provinces were decorated with colorful balloons and flowers to mark Valentine’s Day.
However, since the Taliban returned to power, not only has the celebration of the day been officially banned, but in recent years there have also been reports of physical confrontations with vendors selling Valentine’s items.
