Iran's morality police crack down on Barbie

By: David Morgan
Topics: Iran ,; World Watch

A wall of Barbie dolls is displayed at the 2010 Toy Fair in New York.

(Credit: STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

As if tensions between Iran and Western nations weren't strained enough, now Tehran is going after Barbie.

Reuters' Mitra Amiri reports that the nation's morality police - citing the influence of Western culture it deems antithetical to Islamic values - is cracking down on the sale of Barbie dolls.

Despite a government ban in 1996 against the dress-up doll made by Mattel, Barbies have been sold, though stories have had their inventories confiscated from time to time.

But Reuters reports toy shop owners in recent weeks have been visited by representatives of the morality police, working under orders to clear shelves of the perky doll.

Some retailers have been hiding the dolls, so that they can continue to meet demand, which outstrips demand for the officially sanctioned Sara doll (featuring traditional clothes that adhere to Islamic dress codes) and her twin brother, Dara.

One woman told Reuters her daughter, who preferred Barbie, called Dara and Sara "ugly and fat."

Meanwhile, boys aren't being ignored: After the FARS News Agency reported last month's brush-up over a downed U.S. drone craft (writing that "Obama Begs Iran to Give Him Back His Toy Plane"), someone had the bright idea to give it back, in a way. A toy version of the RQ-170 Sentinel spy drone will be available for sale, Reuters reports.

David Morgan
David Morgan is a senior editor at CBSNews.com and cbssundaymorning.com.

14 Comments +

Add a Comment See all 14 Comments


by Blackandtandog January 17, 2012 7:10 AM EST: This is all the more troubling when you consider that these psychopaths are trying to develop nuclear weapons.; Reply to this comment

by venusvegasvada January 16, 2012 5:26 PM EST

Lalalalalalala! Death to Barbie!

Lalalalalalala! Death to Barbie!

Lalalalalalala! Death to Barbie!

Maybe we should make some miniature guillotines and send those over there. That way they will have something they can execute Barbie with.

Freaking barbarians.

Reply to this comment


by slownewsday2012 January 16, 2012 5:36 PM EST: It's not far off from what the American Taliban, aka the Religious Right, would love to do. Their "morality" is that if you are having fun, it must be bad.


by venusvegasvada January 16, 2012 6:19 PM EST: Oh yeah, no difference at all between the leadership and freedom in the US vs Iran. Thanks for pointing out that America and Iran are SO alike. So many similarities!

When was the last time someone was sentenced to death and executed in the US for changing their religion?

When was the last time someone was sentenced to death and executed in the US for Sodomy?

When was the last time the President stated that our goal was to wipe Isreal off the face of the Earth?

When was the last time the President of the US said he believed the Holocaust never happened?

See all 5 Replies


by slownewsday2012 January 16, 2012 5:20 PM EST: A nice view of the places a candidate like Santorum would love to take the US...; Reply to this comment

by barbaram99 January 16, 2012 5:02 PM EST

So the males can wear and do as they please..The ladies there must hide behind yards of black garments and the only thing the sighted see are the eyes and maybe the hands.It does look out of place here in Seattle..A doll..Why they ashame to let women dress becomingly in nice outfits..I see no need for them to hind themselves when men can wear what they wish. They snone a woman when the man should be as well, We go in them nations to set them free and they are forced to veil their persons..They ban a doll over her dress code which is America form of dress. I wear my jeans and I feel covered.

Reply to this comment


by slownewsday2012 January 16, 2012 5:37 PM EST: It's a 13th-century cultural thing. Their politics are more reflective of their extreme social code than anything else I have observed.


by barbaram99 January 16, 2012 2:53 PM EST: I have a Barbie Doll on my Computer library book case that I bought in 2001..I did not care for the outfit that came on the doll so I bought a dress that is cool and covers the painted on swin suit.It is a Barbie dress. So her legs and arms and head show.The doll is dressed in a dress over the painted on swin suit. I have not changed the outfit in 10 years. I have not bought a newer outfit. It is a doll. It is sad that the ladies are forced to cover from head to toe. I see it here in Seattle every now and again. I have not thought to buy a new outfit.The doll just sit on the book case. It is just a doll..; Reply to this comment


by antoniof123 January 16, 2012 2:41 PM EST: Looks like we have another black market on the rise.; Reply to this comment


by mecanik-2009 January 16, 2012 1:37 PM EST: Totally insane, it leaves me speechless.; Reply to this comment


by technocoffee January 16, 2012 1:13 PM EST: ..typically absurd idiocy from lunatics who see "evil" and "indecency" in a children's doll. Welcome to the year 1250; we'll stone a "witch" for entertainment later!!; Reply to this comment