Idk about the use of this particular pic.
The woman is hijab, yes, but she is also facing away from the camera. That is her back, her whole head is not covered.

And yes, if I had a problem with the laws I would leave the country to experience more freedoms if necessary.

We really do take for granted all of the freedom we have..

I would certainly have no hesitations about fleeing a country for the sake of personal expression.

Seems like a bit too much work for Valentines Day. But I understand the people who do flee.

That is an interesting photograph.

It's interesting what people find important enough and not important enough to risk things for.

Hmmm

I need to show this to my girlfriend so she starts appreciating what little effort I put into Valentine's Day! That way I can say, "Hey, at least we don't live in Saudi Arabia!" Yeah, that'll win her back.

Well, expression is pretty squelched there in the first place...unless of course, you're in a rage and have some desire to spill blood...:-S

I'm from the United Arab Emirates and somehow I agree with the Saudi authoroties. After all, valentine is not islamic holiday & why would I celebrate it? I can share my love to my husband on any given day? However, people are free to celebrate whatever they want according to their beliefs & cultures.

Anyway, people always find a way to sneak around the law. They can buy flowers but not red ones, can't they? ;p

It's hilariously absurd.

And sad.

I appreciate cultural differences. V-day isn't a mandatory holiday and it's more of a reminder or opportunity for those who forget to tell their loved ones how much they care--it isn't just for "lovers." I guess I can't wrap my brain around why it's OK to possess expensive items, but it isn't OK to sit with co-workers in a public place--drinking coffee. I'm familiar with some of the rules, but I don't understand why expensive brand name items--luxuries--aren't banned also...isn't 'lusting' after things against beliefs also?

Anyway, I think blackdiamonds said it--people will find ways to sneak around the law. It just strikes me odd as roses are part of Middle Eastern life and food.

raciccarone - you are too funny - yeah that should win her back Good Luck!!

Has anybody read the 2 "Persepolis" graphic novels, set in Iran?

valentine's day is a pretty ridiculous concept, and just because we volunteer to be robbed by hallmark and the candy market doesn't give us the right to judge those who have made a conscious decision to keep it out of their culture (or try to, anyway).

Cultures and Religons Are Diffirent , It's not an islamic holiday , Personally I think it's a silly event , Now people think it's a holiday to do a lot of wrong things , They're Right !

I think that unless Saudi Arabia is massacaring its citizens or doing something UNHOLY and against human nature, we should not be negative about it. SURE, its V-DAY, day for LOVERS (sweet candies as well) but the fact that its only ONE stinkin DAY is kinda dragging, not? For only ONCE a year lovers get candies for each other and kiss or whatever with each other and what about the rest of the year, they hate each other?! No, right?
So if Saudi Arabia, THE ONLY PROPER ISLAMIC COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, is banning an UNISLAMIC and UNHOLY holiday is ALRIGHT! Now if any of the NON-ISLAMIC countries cancel V-DAY, I mean, then there will be outcries, like EVERYWHERE! I mean, its THEIR (non muslim's) national holiday, and not MUSLIMS! As well, S.A wants to be atleast one of those countries who are trying not to COPY the Europian or North American countries, who are 'MODERNIZED'.
This may be their first step of not following and becoming a puppet, though they have A LONG way to go!

And for the woman who spent a night it jail, IT HAPPENS TO MEN TOO! And if she or anyone else is not follwing the law, THEN THEY WILL BE PUNISHED, like in ANY country!!!
And yes, if you as a girl are alone with a boy, WHAT KIND OF THOUGHTS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR MIND????? or vice versa??? (actaully it may be WORSE vice versa)
So to protect WOMEN from sexual assault or mind sexual assault (what men thnk about them in private) they are told to MARRY so they can be FURTHUR PROTECTED, THEN go on dates!!
To prevent unmarried mothers in a religious and rich society so kids don't grow up thinking "oh who could my FATHER be????"

sorry, i gave like two comments, I have ALOT to say! ;3

blackdiamonds--i agree with you wholeheartedly. i don't see the point in celebrating valentine's day if it's not in your culture or religion. however, at the same time, i would like the freedom to be able to.

also, i haven't read the perseoplis as the graphic novel but i have seen the film. and it is brilliant.

For the country this is coming from I'm not surprised. It is not part of their culture or religion, and they are a religious state, so why should it be allowed to be celebrated.

If I have the technicality of the holiday right it should only be a Catholic holiday, regular Christians shouldn't celebrate it because it is technically SAINT Valentine's day. Since the Catholic church is the only one that canonizes people, added to the whole first commandment (thou shall have no other gods before me, shall not make for yourself an idol, etc.), regular Christians probably shouldn't celebrate it, that's where my logic comes from.

It is a silly holiday. People get so worked up over their date/gift or lack thereof it's ridiculous. I let me sweetie know I love him every day, and give him gifts randomly because love exists outside of one day a year.

For the record, if I lived someplace like Saudi Arabia, I would flee the country or die trying.

For all those who left a negative comment about Saudi, I have a question. Do you know everything about the Saudi culture or religion? I don't think so. I personally think that Saudi women are free women. In Saudi, women are conservative in presence of males, but she may wear whatever she pleases in the presence of her husband and family or among women friends. Islam protects the woman; it is for the reason that Allah gave these laws. In today's society womankind is being exploited, female sexuality is being openly used in advertising, mainly to attract the desires of men and therefore sell the product. Are women really free in today's society? The answer is obviously no. The constant attack by the media as to how the ideal women should look and dress testifies.
It's sinful to have a relationship with a man who is not your husband; to prevent that from happening, we don't socialize with males accept if they wear your relatives, e.g. Uncle, grandfather, son, and of course, ect..
Including that if a woman is to be seen with a male who is not a relative, she would be known as a dirty woman, and no one would want to ask her hand for marriage.
A lot of people don't know that most of the women in Saudi are treated as princess. And as a prove, three Australian ambassadors lived in Saudi for a while and came back without their wives, because their wives loved living in Saudi.
Sorry for taking long, but the last thing I want to say is, people, please don't judge any thing without making sure that you know every thing about what you are judging. Don't judge my county from the media. All that the media cares about is getting money by spreading the bad news. I'm not saying that they are lying, what I'm saying is don't look at the world from one side.
Thank you

I forgot to say. Valentines is not part of our religion or culture, why should we celebrate it. Why should a husband or a lover forget the one they love all year and just remember them once a year? And how could females accept that. I'm so glad we don't celebrate it.