Saudi cleric and researcher Ahmed Qassem al-Ghamdi has said that the celebration of Valentine’s Day is a positive social event that is not related to religion. Ghamdi, the former Director General of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Mecca, told Al Arabiya that the celebration of Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, National Day, birthdays or celebrating marriage anniversaries are occasions that strengthen human bonds. “It is a humane and a social matter and congratulating people for it is not against Sharia,” he said. He added that kind speech is required among people, whether they are Muslims, Jews and Christians. It is important to visit and congratulate and exchange gifts with them and encourage positive behavior in communication between people.
