Where Is Valentine's Day Celebrated? With Pakistan, Map Of Countries Banning Romantic Holiday Of Love

A vehement opposition to Valentine’s Day was not only being held by certain individuals, but by entire countries or provinces, as well.

Cities and countries around the world have banned the celebration of the romantic holiday, more recently, the capital city of Pakistan. A judge recently banned the celebrations related to the holiday in Islamabad, the Associated Press reported Monday. Valentine’s Day events and observances were said to conflict with Islamic teachings.

A petition that called for a nationwide ban on public celebrations of the holiday was ruled on in the High Court, according to CNN. The ban immediately went into effect, and all promotions related to Valentine’s Day, for print and online, were required to be taken down.

Muslim-majority countries were not typically in favor of the holiday as it promotes imbibing, sexual activity and embraces Western “religious, social and cultural norms.” Indulging in wine, chocolates or flowers could result in “severe punishment” in countries like Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, BBC News reported in 2015.

These are the countries that currently ban or oppose any public celebration or observance of the Feb. 14 holiday:

Iran: While some choose to still celebrate the holiday, participating in Valentine’s Day was looked down upon for being a “Western custom,” The Economist reported in 2013. Restaurants and store owners still opted to offer merchandise and special menus for the holiday, though.

Malaysia: BBC News reported that in 2014, 80 Muslims were arrested for participating in Valentine’s Day by morality police. Many in the country still participate in the Feb. 14 holiday despite the Islamic campaign.

Indonesia: While Indonesia is a secular country, some provinces in the country have issued Valentine’s Day-specific bans. The administration in the province of West Java issued a ban this past weekend that banned students from “commemorating” the holiday “at school or outside the school,” The Jakarta Post reported Sunday.

Saudi Arabia: Religious police and conservative Muslim officials imposed a strict ban on Valentine’s Day in the country. However, some still find ways to place orders for flowers and Valentine’s Day paraphernalia over the phone.

India: “We are not against love, but if a couple is in love then they must get married,” a Mahasabha party leader told The Times of India in 2015. While the holiday is not banned, many choose to not celebrate the holiday because of its promotion of western tradition. In 2015, couples that were seen together celebrating the holiday were encouraged to wed.