Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Iran’s Islamic regime has renewed its attack against Barbie and other Western toys. Despite an official ban such toys are smuggled into the country. In an official letter to Vice President Parviz Davoudi, a top Iranian judiciary official, Prosecutor General Ghorban Ali Dori Najafabadi, said that these toys are having “destructive” cultural and social consequences and must therefore be stopped. Indeed ten years of struggle and the creation of an “Islamic Barbie” doll have not stopped Iranian girls from liking Mattel’s blond doll.
“The irregular importation of such toys, which unfortunately arrive through unofficial sources and smuggling, is destructive culturally and a social danger,” Prosecutor Najafabadi said.
For him the increasing visibility of Western dolls is alarming authorities. “The displays of personalities such as Barbie, Batman, Spiderman and Harry Potter . . . as well as the irregular importation of unsanctioned computer games and movies are all warning bells to the officials in the cultural arena.”
“Undoubtedly, the personality and identity of the new generation and of our children, as a result of unrestricted importation of toys, have been put at risk and caused irreparable damages,” he added.