CAIRO: Many found it pointless to celebrate Valentine’s Day, although Egypt – and other neighboring countries – is increasingly adopting this tradition year after year.
“I only got to remember it when a friend of mine sent me a text message wishing me a happy Valentine’s Day, but I am surprised at the momentum it’s gaining year after year, said Amr Saleh, a physical education teacher from Shubra.
“Many believe it is an imported event of a dubious origin. They tend to observe it though, added Saleh.
While many like Saleh think the day has been promoted here with the aim of giving a boost to souvenir and flower businesses, others have a different opinion. “Why should we care much about the origin of Valentine’s Day or whether it is the product of a different culture? said Mohamed Khodeir, a retired executive.
“People are in need of events like these to divert their attention away from the stressful problems and the endless social and political concerns.
“Remember what happened last week when Egypt won the African Football Cup. People rushed to the streets not only because they were happy about the victory, but because they needed to relieve the public tension and find any occasion to vent their pent-up feelings. I don’t think Valentine’s should be any different, Khodeir explained.
Others though tend to dismiss the occasion on the grounds that it wastes both money and energy. “We have plenty of days to celebrate, regardless of whether or not a day for lovers ought to be observed. There should be a balance between fun and real work, said Walid El Rais, an accountant who – against his wife’s wishes – refuses to take her out for dinner celebrating that occasion.
There are those who reject Valentine’s Day purely on the grounds that it has no basis in the Egyptian Christian calendar, however others find fault with this logic. There are many accounts relating to the origin of Valentine’s Day, some of which date back to pagan Rome, suggesting it might be rooted more in the chaotic practices that reigned in the pre-Christian empire.
“But I am really confused whether the occasion really relates to love for all humanity or love that unites lovers, commented Ahmed Abdel Salam, a translator.
“The former is in line with the principles of Christianity that call for renouncing hatred and egoism. But what I see today are practices relating more to lovers and passionate emotions that shouldn’t have been linked with a saint like Valentine, who’s supposed to have followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and other celibate saints, added Abdel Salam.
Amr Zeid, a chemical engineer, observes the day only when he feels like it. “But I had never given it a thought before, whether it is relevant to us or not. I think it’s like all these other events, such as Mother’s Day.
“Did you know that Mother’s Day originated from the idea of finding mothers for illegitimate children? But it has developed over the years to become what it is now.
Soad Zaki, a lawyer, said: “I don’t mind celebrating [this type of] occasion provided it changes our mood. But the problem with most of them is that they set apart one day for mothers, lovers, orphans, etc., when we should care for them all the time.
Others have a more political point of view, saying there is a contradiction in celebrating a day that translates to love, tolerance and sacrifice while it has originated from cultures – Rome in particular and the colonial West in general – that don’t put such principles into practice.
“Was there any evidence that such values existed in ancient Rome and the colonial West? Also, love isn’t about a bunch of gifts exchanged between lovers as depicted by that day, Abdel Salam argued.
