CAIRO - Many young people celebrated Saint Valentine's Day yesterday with red roses, heart-shaped cakes and chocolates, although some religiously minded people dismissed celebrating the feast day of this Christian saint as un-Islamic. But that strict interpretation did little to put off the romance among many young people. "What is Valentine's Day for, if not for expressing one's love for someone? What is un-Islamic about that" asked Mohamed, a student at Ain Shams University, while standing at a shop selling a range of Valentine's gifts, including imported long-stem red roses, teddy bears and heart-shaped pillows. Mohamed was getting one of these small pillows for his girlfriend. Meanwhile, Noha, the lady who owns the shop, said that all her Valentine's cards had sold out, because their prices were very reasonable. "Mostly, we get teenagers and young people buying cards and small gifts for their sweethearts or spouses. There's nothing bad or shameful about that," she said. Over the past few days, the local newspapers did not publish special Valentine's Day editions full of advertisements, aimed at urban consumers, due to the current political conditions. "The authorities concerned should do something to stop these attempts to corrupt our Muslim youth. There is no mention of Valentine's Day in Islamic history, yet the liberals are patronising such Western concepts in an Islamic country," a young bearded man, who identified himself only as Hassan, told The Egyptian Gazette near Manshiyat el-Sadr Metro Station. "Those who celebrate it will go to Hell!" he said, adding that he is totally against celebrating Valentine's Day in Egypt. Marking the year's most romantic day has become more and more popular in Egypt over the past few years, obviously encouraged by shop owners who do a healthy business selling rose-coloured greeting cards and heart-shaped balloons. But this year, the celebrations have triggered controversy and disagreement among young Facebook users. "Valentine's Day is corrupting our young people and it goes against Islamic teachings and Egyptian culture," Ingy Farouq wrote on her electronic page. However, in Cairo, the scene of violent protests during the past year, love seemed to conquer the capital's younger generation and the day passed off peacefully. Love was in the air in plenty of downtown streets, with many young people showing up with flowers and gifts for their sweethearts, despite the sandy wind, the gloomy clouds and the light rainfall that hit the capital. "After four years away from Egypt, I was surprised to see signs of Saint Valentine's Day on every street corner," said Nourhan Abdelrahim, who was surprised that, after a year of turmoil and revolutionary changes, Egypt should celebrate Saint Valentine's Day with such enthusiasm. Nourhan, who returned from the US just a few days ago, wondered whether this was due to the fact that, after suffering a series of unfortunate events, the Egyptians were yearning for a day when they could forget their depression and wallow briefly in a world full of pink and red roses. "Could it be that we're turning to a cute and cuddly teddy bear with ‘Love Me' written all over it to forget all our problems," she asked. "Well, let me tell you, these bears and roses might be selling like hot cakes, but I for one have definitely not bought any. This is your typical situation: boy comes with girl to a store full of pink and red bears and roses. Boy buys teddy bear for girl, girl smiles and they walk off like a prince and princess. “The weather is as depressing as the political climate, while people are still waiting for change, so how can there be a whole day dedicated to love? "Where is the love? People should consider and reconsider this question, when neighbours have become enemies and friends have become foes. How can there be love in the air? Valentine's Day is for childish love. “I will only believe in Valentine's Day when I see the Egyptians prepared to put their lives at risk to save a friend, a family member, a neighbour, whomever and wherever; only then will I finally believe in this day. Is that too much to ask?" Cairo florist Youssef Nagui was also unhappy. "There are not many customers buying my roses,"he said, blaming the lack of security for the fact that, this year, as for the past three years, the focus has been more on making war not love. In his shop in the downtown area the scent of fresh flowers gave life to the air which is normally heavy with dust and uncertainity. Small glass boxes inscribed with the words ‘I Love You', written in English, sat on shelves, alongside red cushions in the shape of hearts. But the customers were staying away. "No one came in today. People are afraid of the future," he said, adding that, in the face of such uncertainty and violence, selling flowers is no longer the happy occupation it used to be. Ahmed (26) walked into Youssef's shop looking for roses. But, when he saw the price, he gave a huge sigh. "I believe the best way to express one's feelings nowadays is to send an SMS message containing a rose," he said.
