Barbie is not welcome in Iran. Too slutty and wanton.

Barbie dolls and other western toys will lead to "destructive and cultural consequences" for Iran, the country's leading prosecutor wrote in a letter to the Iranian vice-president, published in the Mardom Salari newspaper. "The appearance of personalities such as Barbie, Batman, Spiderman and Harry Potter and ... computer games and movies are all a danger "  A toy seller Masoumeh Rahimi adds that Barbie in particular  is "foreign to Iran's culture" ,  wanton, and " more harmful than an American missile".   Luckily she sells Islamic equivalents to Barbie & Ken - Sara and Dara.  Here they are. Sara's too young for a headscarf but one is supplied in case she hits puberty in the toybox overnight (possibly by lying next to Buzz LIghtyear).
   Meanwhile, by the way, Morocco has started training women as imams, for the first time:  though they won't actually lead prayers , the hope is they will promote a more moderate version of Islam.  Which raises the tantalizing possibility that one day we might see Imam Barbie. But whatever creeds future Barbie embraces in our  increasingly touchy global religious scene, they are really  going to have to do something about those non-bendable knees.

Comments

[Rick Beekman]

I wonder if Iran will produce a new "Ken" doll and maybe call him maybe "Osama"?

This Doll will come with a built in Microphone When you Squeeze It...It will scream "Jihad"!! They'll No doubt have different variations such as The Osama Doll dressed up with Dynamite Strapped to his Body. Another Variation Will be The Osama Doll Dressed in traditional clothes as a Government official Who tells everyone Famous Lines Such as; "We are a Peaceful Nation". "We don't train terrorists". Then Of course the Suicide Osama Who Commands a Small boat to Take on The Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier coming through the atraights of Hormuz. The Possibilities are endless!

[Zara]

Of course, the fact that Osama bin Laden is a Sunni Arab Wahabi extremist who believes Iran's Jafari Shi'i (95% of the population) are heretics and no more worthy of life then the infidels he also hates is lost on people like Mr Rick Beekman. But then it is "Axis of Evil" Iran we're talking about so I guess anything's fair game.

I'm not very in favour of banning things, but I don't think it's just over zealous Iranian officials that are concerned about the highly sexualised nature of Barbie dolls - there's plenty of debate about that in the West too.

I doubt those who balk at the idea of a doll in a hijab would have a problem with Indian dolls dressed in saris or a Japanese doll in a kimono - but then Muslims aren't allowed to celebrate the culture of hijab are they? We are instead told to be ashamed of it.

[R.B]

Seems like all people want to do is attack islam to me. Coming up with rash comments such as "Jihad"!! makes me wonder why you don't hear this type of comment over other faiths. Just because the bombings occured in America does not mean that the whole muslim community encourages the actions of others. Stereotyping the whole matter onto all of the muslims is just pure ignorancy. I'm not saying that Iran should not allow the dolls but i'm not supporting it either as it seems the country was able to survive without it...what is the purpose of it now?

[Communal Affirmation]

You forget the long history of opposition to Barbie in the US by the Feminists and Christian Movements?

QFT

[Alistair]

I recall a campaign started by the Alpha Mummy blog on this newspaper to force UK retailers to withdraw toys that "sexualised" children, such as the pole-dancing kit that Tesco was selling. See from March last year:

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article1466567.ece

Tesco claimed the pole-dancing kit was only in the toy section by mistake, but that still begs the question as to whether a high street supermarket that has thoudsands of kids going round its aisles with and withjout parents very minute of every day should be selling such a thing for adults? Isn't that what Ann Summers shops are for?

I think we would all agree with that Times-enacted campaign, not least because such toys could have "destructive and cultural consequences", so perhaps Libby might explain her purpose in pointing fingers at Muslims over their attitude towards Barbie?

[ken]

isnt this an insult to our culture. should iran apologise? me might all start taking to the streets if they dont.

[mary]

They are ridiculous dolls that type-cast women as sexual, blonde, shallow, fashion-crazy, culturally bereft bimbos anyway, and we banned them from our house because of that. They shouldn't be banned from the shops, for people are free to choose what they see as appropriate themselves, but are pathetic dolls to give kids as female "role-models".

[Rick Beekman]

R.B;

You stated; "Just because the bombings occurred in America does not mean the whole Muslim community encourages this activity."

So then please explain Why other Muslim leaders have not stood up and publically denounced Hamas..Al Quida..Suicide Bombers (Men and Woman). The Answer Is Simple FEAR.

The "Peaceful" Muslims fear the Extremist Muslims. Don't want to against your "Brothers".
Next; If a Male Suicide Bomber Is promised 70 Virgins in Heaven for carrying out his suicide mission..what is a female suicide bomber promised she'll Get?

The Answer is Simple They both get a One-way ticket to Hell for Eternity...

[R.B]

Rick Beekman;

I do not know why other leaders have not denounced them but I doubt they are scared of them as I think they feel they are unable to do anything to prevent these occurences. Plus I think these people are simply perfoming suicide (which is against our religion!) in an attempt of fighting against invaders (not that i agree how they fight back though).

[REHMAN]

just one question to the christains who have problem with hijab dolls.do they also criticize virgin mary for wearing hijab and showing modesty

[Rick Beekman]

R.B;
I appreciate your replies. maybe we can have a better understanding of true Christianity and True Islam.

True Christianity Has never been involved in killing others either. Religion is responsible for these militant behaviors. People who are true servants of Jesus Christ do not participate in Street Demonstrations..Acts Of Rebellion Against Government Authority or advocating Murder To those we do not agree with...Christian Religion however does..The Catholic Church is A prime example RB. Like Muslims We Believe in Holiness To God..Having Humble Attitude..Will defend The Word of God When Challenged. We Do Not Drink Alcohol Go To Movies..Concerts..Listen To Secular Music Do not Play Video Games or get Involved In Sports..This Is All "Worldly" Unto us. True Christians Are Pacifists and spend their time Witnessing for The Lord and Working..and worshipping God...Tell me what your Religion teaches if you please..

[An American Observer]

I'm a Christian myself, but the notion that Muslim leaders have not condemned suicide bombers and other terrorists is simply a facile cliché often repeated in the less responsible mass media.

There is no one religious authority to whom all Muslims defer; there is no Muslim Pope. Furthermore, I'm sure that none of the people making these statements know Arabic or Urdu, so how do they know what Muslim clerics are saying or not saying to their own communities?

In fact, I have seen brief newspaper articles ascribing condemnations of terrorism to Muslim leaders in Egypt and Pakistan. However, the mass media find much more pleasure in highlighting the anti-Western fanatics.

[R.B]

Rick Beekman;

well islam teaches muslims to fight back when being attacked or to help allies against invaders. the idea of 'Jihad' is to submit oneself in the struggle to God or defend against an attack. i would just like to point out from what you have stated: 'True Christianity Has never been involved in killing others either.' what's untrue about this statement is how years ago there was killing between muslims and christians over land (Spain to be precise).

[Stuart Hartill]

I'm not sure we in the West can poke fun when some of our best known political leaders appear to be little more than puppets.
I doubt Barbie & Ken would invade another country based on 'dodgy dossiers' either.

[Jess H]

To be honest, in my opinion, banning anything that isnt physically harmful to anyone is very dictatorial, however, if people don't wish to buy a Barbie (which I can TOTALLY sympathise with) then they should have the choice to not but it rather than be forced to not buy it.