Valentine’s Day has vague origins dating back to Roman times, when several Christian martyrs were named Valentine. The celebration for lovers, marked widely around the world, was firmly off-limits in the ultraconservative kingdom which would only mark Muslim holidays and its September national day. But Saudi Arabia has been undergoing social change amid efforts to liberalise society and diversify its oil-dependent economy. It has curbed the feared religious police and given women more freedoms. Among these, they now have the right to drive and can add colour to their dress beyond the traditional plain black abaya robe.
