Iranian Official Cites Barbie Doll Threat

Lilyruths"This and that friendly cottage" Pets welcomed. "Old folks remedies, to cure what ailes you.. Theres weird and Bizarre articles and funny pictures. Its a weird place with strange facts or whatever I come across on the web....Just like this article : A top Iranian judiciary official warns against the importation of Barbie dolls and other Western toys, saying they are "destructive culturally" as well as a threat to the identity of the nation's young people. "The displays of personalities such as Barbie, Batman, Spiderman and Harry Potter ... as well as the irregular importation of unsanctioned computer games and movies are all warning bells to the officials in the cultural arena," the letter said.

Najafabadi said Iran was the world's third biggest importer of toys, and these smuggled imports posed a threat to the "identity" of the new generation.

"Undoubtedly, the personality and identity of the new generation and our children, as a result of unrestricted importation of toys, has been put at risk and caused irreparable damages," he said.

Authorities launched a temporary campaign of confiscating Barbie from toy stores in 2002, denouncing the un-Islamic sensibilities of the iconic American doll. The campaign was eventually discontinued.

That same year, though, Iran introduced a competing doll—the twins Dara and Sara, who promoted traditional values with their modest clothing and pro-family stories but they proved unable to stem the Barbie tide.

In 1996, the head of a government-backed children's agency called Barbie a "Trojan horse" sneaking in Western influences such as makeup and revealing clothes.

Barbie is sold wearing swimsuits and miniskirts in a society where women must wear head scarves in public and men and women are not allowed to swim together.

Joining Barbie on the official's list of toys that pose a "social danger" are those featuring the personalities of Batman, Superman, Spiderman, and Harry Potter.
Source: World News