GAZA: Valentine’s Day is taken into account un-Islamic by lots of the 2.3 million Palestinians residing within the Gaza Strip and enterprise was slower than common on Tuesday at these outlets promoting purple roses, fluffy hearts and teddy bears.
Wasim Abdu, proprietor of the Safeer El-Hub (Ambassador of Love) flower store in Gaza Metropolis, mentioned sporadic clashes with Israeli troops and the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria had solid a shadow over celebrations.
“The individuals of Gaza love life and freedom and so they prefer to have fun all events (however) the turnout isn’t as was anticipated or desired,” he mentioned.
Whereas Hamas doesn’t forestall Valentine’s Day commerce, some clerics have prior to now roamed the streets, urging individuals and retailer homeowners to eschew what they deem a Western ceremony.
Choosing up a bouquet of her favourite flowers, Palestinian Nehaya Jarada mentioned she was decided to benefit from the day nonetheless. “I nonetheless wish to have fun Valentine’s Day, regardless of the wars we dwell via and the earthquake,” she mentioned.
Farmers mentioned land in Gaza devoted to cultivating flowers had been slashed from 1,250 acres to only 4 due to Israeli curbs.