No flowers, no balloons - 22nd February 2023

Saint Valentine's Day left florists and balloon venders in Kabul heartbroken. Whilst the day of lovers has never been widely celebrated in Afghanistan, wealthier citizens in the main cities have, in recent years, adopted the celebration.

However, just before the 14th February event this year, the Taliban's ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued a warning. The notice, placed in every shop, ordered shoppers to 'avoid celebrating lovers' day'. It specified that Valentine's Day was not Islamic or part of Afghan culture. This edict left florist Omar with hundreds of red roses he was unable to sell.

Omar: "The market for people buying flowers is no good and also you know that people are not allowed to buy them. The Taliban aren't allowing people to buy flowers."

Officers from the ministry patrolled the flower market and kept a close eye on the balloon sellers - discouraging those romantic souls who wanted to spoil their partners. Zahrah was one such shopper.

Zahrah: "Because I have a marriage of love, we celebrate this day every year. It is important for me."

Instead, Zahrah chose to change her plans and celebrate her happy marriage quietly at home.

Zahrah: "The situation has changed. We can't celebrate it like other years. But we still celebrate it. There are some restrictions, but we celebrate it at home."

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have issued restrictions on many aspects of social life in the country including on music, social media apps and videos. Women particularly have found themselves squeezed out of public life with their rights to education and work removed.