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Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:59 pm
by Mark
updated 10:46 a.m. HT, Thurs., Dec. 4, 2008
TEHRAN - Police have arrested 49 people this week in a northern Iranian city during a crackdown on "satanic" clothes, IRNA news agency reported Thursday.
The measures are the latest in a country-wide campaign against Western cultural influence in the Islamic Republic, where strict dress codes are enforced.
"Police confronted rascals and thugs who appeared in public wearing satanic fashions and unsuitable clothing," Qaemshahr city police commander Mahmoud Rahmani told IRNA.
Rahmani also said that five barber shops were shut and 20 more warned for "promoting Western hairstyles."
Campaign ongoing since 2007
In the past, such crackdowns have lasted a few weeks or months, but the current campaign was launched in 2007 and has not let up.
It includes measures against men sporting spiky "Western" hairstyles or women wearing tight trousers and high boots.
Women are supposed to wear clothing that covers their hair and disguises the shape of their bodies. But some, particularly in cities, wear headscarves pushed back well beyond their hairlines and sport tight-fitting outfits.
Some analysts say the authorities fear such open acts of defiance against the Islamic Republic's values could escalate if they go unchecked. This worries them when Iran is under pressure from the West over its disputed nuclear work, they say.
"Some individuals, not knowing what culture they are imitating, put on clothing that was designed by the enemies of this country," Rahmani said.
"The enemies of this country are trying to divert our youth and breed them the way they want and deprive them of a healthy life," he added.
No word on punishments
Rahmani did not say how the offenders would be punished. Usual penalties are a warning or a fine.
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has in the past suggested Iran's enemies may try to stage a "soft" or "velvet" revolution by infiltrating corrupt culture or ideas.
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:54 am
by Tsukiyumi
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:56 am
by stitch626
I wonder what they categorize as satanic. Probably blue jeans.
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:05 am
by Tsukiyumi
I wonder how far I'd get in Iran wearing a shirt with Jesus and Muhammed in a drinking contest...
Five feet, maybe?
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:07 am
by Mark
Dude, they'd nab you STILL ON THE PLANE!!!
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:13 am
by Tsukiyumi
Mark wrote:Dude, they'd nab you STILL ON THE PLANE!!!
Oh, I'd have another shirt on over it, but still...
I imagine Mickey Mouse is even outlawed over there.
The sad thing is, only 30 years ago, they had freedom, before they allowed religion to consume their country. Sometimes, I'm afraid of the same thing happening here - only a lot slower. We'll wake up in 2050 to find that the church now elects the President, creationism is the only theory taught in schools, and church attendance is mandatory...
*shudder*
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:17 am
by Mark
Bah.........I'll be at temple on saturday. Let them TRY and get me out.
Oh, wait. Being Jewish can be dangerous around fanatics
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:25 am
by Tsukiyumi
Mark wrote:Bah.........I'll be at temple on saturday. Let them TRY and get me out.
Oh, wait. Being Jewish can be dangerous around fanatics
Worse than being an atheist, or like me, an agnostic...
Radical zealots piss me off.
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:28 am
by stitch626
Fortunately things will be going away from that soon... just a matter of time before religion (in general) becomes the enemy of the government.
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:34 am
by Mark
Not in that part of the world. Religion is just TOO ingrained in there day to day lives.
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:27 am
by Mikey
Exactly. Even though the ayatollahs as arule sound nuttier than a fruitcake to us, is anyone really surprised at this sort fo thing - fro a culture that promulgates fathers carrying out "honor killings" of their daughters?
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:10 am
by Mark
Honestly, I try my best not to judge other cultures, but DAMN it is hard with those guys. Most of there "rules" seem insane to me. Especially regarding women.
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:44 pm
by stitch626
Oh I wasn't saying in parts of the world where religion is the government. I meant here.
And yes, their rules on women are messed up.
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:05 pm
by Sionnach Glic
A fundie-controlled country instating stupid and pointless laws?
Truly, I'm shocked.
Re: Police detain 49 for ‘satanic’ clothes in Iran
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:02 pm
by Mark
Where a good camal is more well regarded than a man's wife.