No flowers, no balloons - 22nd February 2023

Florists and balloon sellers in Kabul were disappointed on Valentine's Day because of the Taliban's ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice warning. The romantic day for lovers hasn't been widely celebrated in Afghanistan. However, some richer citizens in the main cities have started celebrating the day.

Days before the 14th February, the ministry posted notices in every shop with a new regulation. The posters stated that Valentine's Day wasn't Islamic or part of Afghan culture. This has left florists, like Omar, with hundreds of unsold red roses.

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."

The ministry's officers guarded the flower market and watched the balloon sellers. Their aim was to prevent shoppers from making romantic purchases.

Zahrah, who's celebrated her marriage every year, is disappointed.

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

Although the Taliban's banned Valentine's, Zahrah's celebrated in private.

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 the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they've put restrictions on social life. They've introduced laws which have placed limits on music. They've restricted social media and women's rights to education and work. This has removed women from public spaces.