Iranian Cleric Fears Barbie Dolls
TEHRAN - Imports of Barbie dolls and other Western toys will have destructive cultural and social consequences in Iran, the Islamic Republic’s top prosecutor was quoted as saying on Monday.
Iran’s conservative clerical establishment often rails against the perceived dangers of U.S.-inspired culture and consumerism, branding it “Westoxication.”
But young Iranians are often keen consumers of such music, films and other goods from the West. Iconic toy brands can be bought in children’s shops in the capital Tehran and elsewhere.
“The appearance of personalities such as Barbie, Batman, Spiderman and Harry Potter and … computer games and movies are all a danger warning to the officials in the cultural arena,” said Prosecutor General Ghorban Ali Dori Najafabadi in a letter to Vice President Parviz Davoudi published in the Mardom Salari daily.
Najafabadi, a high-ranking cleric, said Iran was the world’s third biggest importer of toys and suggested this posed a threat to the “personality and identity” of the new generation.
“The unrestrained entry of this sort of imported toys … will bring destructive cultural and social consequences in their wake,” he wrote.
He added many toys were smuggled into Iran and accused importers of concentrating on profits at the expense of cultural values.
(KhaleejTimes)
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April 28th, 2008 at 10:37 amConquest via Barbi … gotta love it!
April 28th, 2008 at 10:43 amHey I know how we can destroy Iran. We don’t even need military action. Have a c-130 fly over Iran dropping Barbie Dolls and Video Games. Problem solved. Hell we might even stop if Iran stops looking for nuclear technology, and stops supporting, training, and housing terrorists, and actually takes a strong stance against them.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:52 amPerhaps he would like it better if it was a “Burqua Barbie” with the full robe and veil?
April 28th, 2008 at 10:57 amI take it that Captain America dolls are not allowed then?
April 28th, 2008 at 11:06 am