Simpsons join Barbie on Iran's list of banned dolls
The Associated Press
Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:13 AM ET
Last Updated: Feb 6, 2012 2:31 AM ET
Dolls of characters from the Simpsons television show have been banned in Iran, according to a newspaper report. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)
An Iranian newspaper reports a government-affiliated agency has added dolls of the Simpsons cartoon characters to a list of banned toys in the country.
The Monday report by the independent Shargh daily said the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults took the decision to block the promotion of Western culture.
The report quoting the institute's Mohammad Hossein Farjoo did not specify why the Simpsons made the blacklist.
But he notes that any doll on which genitals are distinguishable, as well as dolls of adults, are banned.
In January, police said they closed down dozens of toy shops for selling Barbie dolls.
Since the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted a pro-Western monarchy, Iran has tried to fight Western cultural influence.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Canada expels all remaining Syrian diplomats
- Canada is expelling all Syrian diplomats remaining in Ottawa to protest the latest escalation in violence against civilians by the Assad regime. more »
- Canadian climber's body taken off Everest
- The body of a Toronto woman who died while descending from the summit of Mount Everest earlier this month has been taken by helicopter to her family in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. more »
- RCMP commissioner pledges to rid force of 'bad apples'
- The RCMP's disciplinary process is so bureaucratic and out of date that "bad apples" end up staying on the force long after they should be thrown out, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson says in a remarkably frank open letter to Canadians. more »
- Ottawa set to shut down hearing on F-35 jet purchase
- The federal government appears set to shut down the only public investigation into Ottawa's fumbling of the F-35 fighter jet purchase. more »
- 'Engine shutdown' forced Air Canada jet to land
- Evolution skeptics will soon be silenced by science: Richard Leakey
- Richard Branson suggests naked kitesurfing to premier
- RCMP commissioner pledges to rid force of 'bad apples'
- Newly discovered malware most lethal cyberweapon to date
- Thunder Bay flooding causes state of emergency
- New Italian earthquake death toll rises to 10
- Canadian climber's body taken off Everest
- Syrian children were executed, UN says
