Iran shuts down Barbie sales

Dozens of shops selling Barbie dolls have been closed down by Iranian Police as the authorities see them as symbols of Western culture eroding Islamic values.

Iranian police have confiscated hundreds of Barbie dolls and shut down dozens of toy stores across the country for selling them. The renewed crackdown on Barbie dolls comes amid growing tension with the United States and Europe over Iran's controversial nuclear program. Iran had banned the sale of Barbie dolls in the early 90s, but the product apparently remained popular across the country. Iran introduced its own dolls — twins Dara and Sara — who were designed to promote traditional values with modest clothing and pro-family background. But the dolls proved unable to stem the Barbie tide. The order to remove the dolls from toy shops was given in the first week of January and the shop to shop for search of Barbie dolls began on Friday. Iranian news agency Mehr reports quoting a Police official in Tehran:

Stores that are selling these dolls are committing an offence and the police will act against them.Dozens of stores that have sold these Barbie dolls have been closed and that will continue.

Since 1979 Islamic Revolution, Conservatives in Iranian Government have repeatedly tried to fight what they see as a Western cultural invasion on Islamic culture. Earlier, digitaljournal had reported Iranian police banning the use of curvaceous female mannequins in store windows.