In his column for Arab News, Tariq Al-Maeena offers up a an interesting idea for an Arab alternative to Valentine’s Day. The idea, suggested in a letter he received, is actually not a bad one. And not just for Saudis, either!
Honor Thy Spouse the Arab Way
Tariq A. Al-Maeena, talmaeena@aol.comThursday was a day widely celebrated in the West as Valentine’s Day. In the Kingdom, however, celebrations on such occasions are muted in keeping with local traditions.
This particular day has often been in the news for a variety of reasons — red roses being banned, florists arrested and celebrations sometimes disrupted.
To find out what perceptions Saudis held for this particular day, I had invited comments from various individuals, primarily Saudis, to share their views with our readers. One particular response, from Muna in Riyadh, deserves mention and is included in its entirety.
A well-traveled Saudi lady with an extensive network of friends and interests, Muna writes:
“The idea of celebrating love and friendship is quite admirable. But any way you slice it, St. Valentine is a brilliant American marketing invention that was created to increase sales for shops.
It is also an awesome and blatant example of Americanization and commercialization of culture in full operating mode all over the world from New York to Timbuktu.
It has become mandatory to buy red flowers, a box of chocolates, perhaps even a jewelry gift, and fork over money to go out for dinner, whether you want it or not. The social pressure is too great not to participate in this day’s prescribed activities and the romantic consequences too unbearable to contemplate.
But what a shame that in thousands of years of history in over 150 countries and spanning at least 20 civilizations, we Arabs could not find one day that has a unique cultural significance for us as a people to display how satisfying it is to love and be loved. Perhaps the day that Shehrezad finished telling her 1001 Arabian Nights stories and lived happily ever after.
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February:18:2008 - 07:33
I think this is a lovely idea.
I really dislike the commercialisation too. It didn’t use to be like that though. But in the Netherlands where Valentine’s day used to be seen as a quaint english/american tradition, it is now a full-blown commercial holyday.
I’m afraid if we make Sharzahrzad’s day a real feast, in two years we’d be back were we started: it’s also up to the people themselves. Boycott preprinted cards and all those awful red stupid gifts, write your own poetry! Make your own gifts.
Red roses are ugly anyway.
February:18:2008 - 07:54
Any other holidays other than the two eids are objected by hardliners even national day was objected…However, I think people have become more nationalistic these past few years as they now stand for their national song and give it more respect.
I think the poetry idea is great too and it is nice that people are proposing new ideas rather than attacking or criticizing…
February:18:2008 - 10:05
Yes, that would be a good idea if we did not forget that before the 1001 nights, the Sultan was busy lopping off the heads of a huge number of women and he became a misogynistic because of the adultry of his wife, who was in turn stoned.
Not sure how that will link with a love day?
February:18:2008 - 10:11
All good points!
But as a woman eventually successful in love (not to mention saving her own life through her wits) it could be worse….
February:18:2008 - 10:23
BD I did recall something eerie about that story but thank you for reminding me…
John that is too much work….eventually successful in love…
It is always the woman to blame when a marriage does not work here…She should have had the wits to win her man over! She should have tried harder.
Anyways, I like the poetry idea…that part is good and both parties would be required to write and their life would not depend on it. Sounds reasonable
February:18:2008 - 11:13
What a bunch of misogynists you all are! We could call it ”taming of the evil king”-day then.
Why not look at it all from a positive mindframe: I just think everybody needs a pick-me-up every now and then. I do think the more feasts the better.
And putting aside the fact that everything is so commercial nowadays, (that is really up to ones-self isn’t it?) I like the exitement that comes with it.
The preparing of gifts and poems, the preparing of special foods, the certainty that your friends and family are also busy, and will have made time free. There is an excitement all of it’s own belonging to these special days.
Lights at chrismas and diwali, little funny gifts and poems at st Nicolas, yellow flowers and eggs at easter, having easter breakfast with your friends and searching for chocolate eggs.
And if anybody wants to invite me for Eid: yes, please!
So, escew all the commercial crap, but keep spreading sweetness and light!
February:18:2008 - 14:08
Oh, I don’t think anyone is blaming Sherazade for the romantic problems here! Any guy who deals with women by cutting their heads off after one night because they bore him surely has to the carry the burden of blame!
February:18:2008 - 15:25
How can you say that, John, it’s obviously their own fault. If they tried harder he would not have been bored, and wouldn’t have been forced to cut their heads off!
February:18:2008 - 16:00
There are so many directions that I could take this conversation–none of them very pretty–that I think I’ll just pass up the opportunity!