Several members of the almighty Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice visited various markets in the Afghan capital with gift and flower shops, and instructed merchants not to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
A vendor, who requested anonymity, explained to Efe that this morning a member of the anti-vice patrols stopped by the shops and demanded that they not practice “this prohibited culture that foreign countries impose on us.”
The Taliban also destroyed the decoration of some stores and prevented access to the population who wanted to buy gifts or make special requests for Valentine’s Day.
A member of the Taliban security forces, who was assigned to keep the main door of a shopping center closed, told Efe that in the morning “there were many reckless girls who came without veils to celebrate this forbidden day,” so that they came “here to not allow entry to the market”.
Some young people, however, say that Valentine’s Day offers reasons to celebrate the happiness of life and show love, without going against Islamic values or Afghan culture.
This date “is just a reason to celebrate the happiness of life, and spread our love among us and make us happy, which does not mean that we are incorporating something (outside) to our culture and religion,” the young Pari told Efe in front of to one of the closed entrances of a market.