Iran to create women-only island

Iran is seeking to create a paradise for female tourists by turning an island on a northwestern lake into male-free zone, the press reported on Wednesday.

All public transport, restaurants and facilities on the island -- on the gigantic Oroumiyeh lake close to the Turkish border -- will be staffed only by women, officials said.

"The island of Arezou (Wish), one of the 102 islands in the Oroumiyeh Lake, will be equipped especially for women," a municipal official in the West Azerbaijan province, identified only as Aghai, was quoted as saying by the Tehran Emrouz newspaper. There will be no men on the island whatsoever. What surprises me is that they say this is not against Islamic law. I am not sure if this will be good for the women of this country or not. On one hand, it might foster more independance from them, but on the other it may just lead to more things that keep women down. Also, I know that some women hate men with a passion and would like to get away at all costs, but I really can't see it being a huge tourist attraction.