Saudis V-Day celebration ban drives red roses to black market

Washington, Feb 11 (ANI): With the religious police in Saudi Arabia banning the celebration of Valentine's Day, the prices for red roses have gone up along with other items on the black market.

The BBC reports that the ban applies to the sale of any gifts that is involved with the romantic holiday, with shopkeepers saying that they have been warned to remove all red items from their stores.

Saudi authorities have prohibited the celebration of Valentine's Day as it is considered to be one of the un-Islamic holidays, and also because it is thought to encourage relationships between unwed couples, which is illegal in the conservative country.

But even with the prohibition, some Saudis are determined to go ahead and celebrate, with many people ordering flowers days or weeks in advance in anticipation of the ban, or travelling to neighbouring countries to celebrate.

"Sometimes we deliver the bouquets in the middle of the night or early morning, to avoid suspicion," Fox News quoted one florist as telling the Saudi Gazette. (ANI)