Be careful when celebrating Valentine’s Day, OFWs in Middle East warned

MANILA, Philippines - A militant migrant group on Friday warned overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to be careful in celebrating Valentine’s Day since it is prohibited to do so in most countries in the Middle East. “We are urging fellow OFWs, especially lovers just to celebrate their Valentine’s Day secretly and with utmost care especially those in Saudi Arabia," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, in a statement on Friday. He said that the religious police, locally known as the muttawah or formally known as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, are “especially active" during this time of the year because they always try to stop Saudis from celebrating Valentine’s Day – which they regard as “an alien, un-Islamic festival." “We are anticipating an active patrolling tomorrow by the Saudi morals police who search for forbidden items most especially in Riyadh City," he said. Monterona advised OFWs not to bring anything that is red – toys, hearts, flowers – or even wear red-colored clothes because it is prohibited. “In order not to become victims of the circumstances, we are urging our fellow OFWs to be careful and vigilant not to implicate themselves anything that has something to do with the Valentine’s celebration," he said. He did, however, suggest that giving a call or sending short messages to their loved ones back home would do. “Or better go to the Internet café and chat with your wife and kids, but be careful not to even give virtual flying kisses as it is associated to Valentine or don't ever greet ‘Happy Valentine’s day’ with other nationalities around you," he said. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV