By Haniya Frotan
For years, Valentine’s Day in Kabul was like many cities throughout the world – over-the-top scenes of red and pink balloons, hearts, and flowers adorned shopfronts and sidewalks, with it not uncommon to see young couples walking and talking together.
Instead, this year Kabul resident Zahra, 25, said silence and fear reigned.
“Valentine’s Day used to be an opportunity for us to express our love and affection. But now, even thinking about this day is forbidden. We live in silence,” she said.
Recalling those colorful days of previous Valentine’s, she said she now fears the streets after encountering “harsh treatment by Taliban forces” multiple times in the city.
In 2024, she celebrated Valentine’s with her husband at a restaurant, only to be confronted by the Taliban’s so-called morality police.
“We were waiting for our order to be ready when I noticed two men in white cloaks approaching us. Without saying a word, they took my husband outside. A few moments later, they came for me and, in a harsh tone, asked me what kind of relationship I had with him,” she said.
Zahra told them that he’s her husband, and soon enough the morality police left them to their dinner. But the encounter terrified her as the morality police wield unchecked power.
“The harsh faces and the terrifying expressions of those men still haunt me. That’s why, maybe this year, I won’t even leave the house,” she said.
Kabul resident Sana, 23, said she used to enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day with her boyfriend and the opportunity to be with each their away from the watchful eyes of their families. But now that’s impossible.
“Before, the only obstacle was our families, but now the government has become a much bigger barrier. Not only am I not allowed to study, go out for fun, or roam freely, but it seems I’m also no longer allowed to love or be loved,” Sana said.
“At home, I have to answer to my parents for my phone calls and conversations, and when I’m outside, I have to justify myself to the Taliban, explaining who the boy I walk with is and what our relationship is.”
For Mahroo, 26, her recent engagement would have normally been something to celebrate on Valentine’s Day with gifts and time spent with her fiancé. She said the day had previously been a time for young people to gather or for couples to foster greater intimacy.
But with the return of the Taliban in 2021, any celebration of this day in this way is forbidden, taking away this small joy from young people.
She said the Taliban’s restrictions not only harm society but also unfairly damage the morale of young people who are simply celebrating love.
“If the situation continues like this, it won’t be long before we find ourselves with a depressed, isolated, and demotivated society,” Mahroo said.
Businesses have also taken a hit.
Kabul shopkeepers and florists said the impact of the Taliban’s strict enforcement of social restrictions had taken a toll on their businesses. Especially those who usually saw a boost in sales to mark the day instead see almost no bump in customers.
“Valentine’s Day was always a busy day for us, but in the past three years, with these restrictions, our business has lost its momentum. With this poor market, we are now forced to pay double the taxes compared to the republican era,” Kabul florist Ali Sina, 32, said.
Another florist Feroz, 29, said he’d been warned ahead of February 14 that if he sells special bouquets, flowers, or gifts to mark Valentine’s Day, he will be fined.
“In the years before the Islamic Emirate, both we and the young people were happy. Now, the livelihoods of small business owners have been taken away and so have the joys of our youth. The Taliban is essentially the enemy of the people’s happiness,” Feroz said.
Others have taken the risk to help people celebrate by providing services in secret.
Florist Barat Ali, 25, said for the past three years he has made special flower orders for Valentine’s without marketing it or putting anything on display.
It was no different this year, with Barat Ali working on multiple Valentine’s orders away from the eyes of the morality police and special gifts only being revealed once customers arrive to pick them up.
The longing in Kabul around Valentine’s Day is no longer a romantic hope to be together, but rather a longing for a time not so long ago when friends and lovers could enjoy each other’s company without fear and celebrations were simple and sweet.
