Iran Inforces Islamic Dress Code New reports have emerged detailing the extent of the efforts by the Iranian government to purge Western cultural influences in Iran that are deemed un-Islamic. Based on Iran's Islamic Sharia law, non-compliance results in legal punishment, because the state sees itself responsible in executing punishment for Islamic theological sins.
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Women on the street in Shiraz
(Photographer: Zoom Zoom)
Newspaper headlines such as "Western hairstyles ... have been banned" re-iterated the legal status of Western hairstyles; barbers who offer what officials consider un-Islamic hairdos, provide make-up services, and/or pluck eyebrows have been warned that they can face months-long suspensions or revocation of their licenses. Barber clients who violate government policies will be subject to lashes, fines and imprisonment. Iranian male youth are not supposed to sport outlandish hairstyles or use gel to make their hair stand.
Additionally, the ban on neckties remains in place. This ban evades the attention of those outside Iran, although attentive observers may realize that, for example, not one non-clerical member of the Iranian government wears a necktie. Vice squad police are in place to bring non-compliant individuals to Islamic justice.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for moderation and consideration for Iran's image worldwide, emphasizing the need for a "cultural rather than disciplinary approach." Hard-line clerics stress that both approaches are needed. Many Iranian women have appeared on state television praising Islamic dress code and advocating the arrest of offenders.
The Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, created during the Islamic Cultural Revolution, indicated that it would filter immoral video and audio messages sent using cellular phones. According to an Iranian television statement, "In order to prevent possible misuse of MMS (multimedia messaging services), immoral actions and social problems, the Telecommunications Ministry will filter immoral MMS." No details on how immoral messages would be filtered, such naming the type of software to be used, were divulged.
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