Iran bans production of Valentine's Day gifts, promotions, in bid to stop spread of Western culture

BY Philip Caulfield

Tuesday, January 18th 2011, 2:47 PM

Mehri/Getty

Young Iranian women and men shopping for Valentine's Day.

Kheirkhah/Getty/UPI

An Iranian woman at a shop decorated for Valentine's Day in Tehran in 2007.

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No computer virus could stop Iran from shooting Cupid out of the sky.

Iranian is cracking down on Valentine's Day, calling for a ban of any gifts or promotions related to the lovers' holiday, Iranian media reported.

"Printing and producing any products related to Valentine's Day, including posters, brochures, advertising cards, boxes with the symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting this day are banned," the country’s printing works union announced, under instructions from Iranian hardliners.

"Authorities will take legal action against those who ignore the ban," the union warned.

The ban is an attempt by Islamic nationalists to stop the corruption of the country's youth, among whom mingling with the opposite sex is forbidden, Tehran's Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA) reported.

"Honoring foreign celebrations is the spread of Western culture," the head of the printing works owners' union, Ali Nikou Sokhan, told ILNA. "Our country has an ancient civilization and various days to honor kindness, love and affection."

Celebrating the Feb. 14th holiday, which was started by Christians, is not forbidden. However, the ban will make it difficult for lovers to exchange flowers, candy or other trinkets.

Valentine's Day has become increasingly popular among Iranian youth and is a moneymaker for businesses there, according to Reuters.

Some have suggested replacing Valentine's Day with "Mehregan," an Iranian festival from the pre-Islamic era that celebrates "Mehr," or friendship, affection or love.

This isn't the first time Iran has tried to prevent the destructive influence of Western culture.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has in the past spoken out against neckties and certain haircuts as harmful symbols of Western influence.

Last year, Ahmadinejad denounced Paul the Octopus, the famed World Cup prognosticator, as propaganda and a representation of the West's decadence.

In the past decade, the government has sought to crack down on the importation of Barbie dolls and other toys, with one official calling them a "danger" that must be stopped.