Saudis ban Valentine's Day gifts

RIYADH -- Saudi religious police have barred shops from selling red roses, teddy bears and greeting cards to celebrate Valentine's Day today, a newspaper reported yesterday.

The Authority for Enjoining Good and Preventing Evil gave shops all over the vast conservative kingdom three days to clear red coloured gifts normally used to mark the lovers' feast, the Al-Iqtissadia daily said.

The action is based on an Islamic fatwa, or religious edict, which states that Muslims can only celebrate two feasts, the Eid Al-Fitr which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, and Eid Al-Adha which coincides with the annual hajj pilgrimage.-- Sapa-AP