"The public expects us to act firmly and swiftly if we see any social misbehavior by women, and men, who defy our Islamic values… In some areas of north Tehran we can see many suntanned women and young girls who look like walking mannequins."
So says Tehran’s police chief Hossein Sajedinia, quoted in NiacINsight, which is a blog by the National Iranian American Council. It goes on to point out these offenses and the fines associated with them:
Glasses over the hair: 18,000 Toman
Short manteau: 25,000 Toman
Bright manteau (green or red color): 25,000 Toman
Nail polish per finger: 5,000 Toman
Tan: 25,000 Toman
Light hair (depending on the color): From 50,000 to 150,000 Toman
Being blond can cost you in fun lovin' North Tehran. And at these prices, if you're on a budget, you might want to just polish that one pinkie. Probably not Lindsey Lohan-style, though.
This all goes hand in hand with the new Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance-approved hairstyles photo that made the rounds a week or so back (here from the web site MehrNews.com):
These hairstyles are to be promoted at a sure-to-be super fun event called the Modesty and Veil Festival later this month. It says here that "The proposed styles are inspired by Iranians’ complexion, culture and religion, and Islamic law,” according to Jaleh Khodayar, who is in charge of the Modesty and Veil Festival.
See? There it is again, the age old connection between Iranian complexion and Islamic law.
Just about as oddly, in today's Jerusalem Post, Caroline Glick argues the whole hair thing is pretty much proof that Israel now has Iran just where it wants 'em.
"The regime’s fear of its opposition has caused it to crack down on domestic liberties. Last week the regime issued hairstyle guidelines for men. Spiked hair and ponytails are officially banned as decadent," writes she. This and a barrage of other stuff are proof the Iranian regime is insecure. "And this frees Netanyahu to fight the coming war on Israel’s terms."
All this heat's bringing on silly season. Time for us all to go on vacation.
(Speaking of which, an update on this post tomorrow.)
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