Simpsons join Barbie on Iran’s banned dolls blacklistFebruary 6, 2012 - 13:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Simpsons cartoon character dolls have joined Barbie on a blacklist of toys banned in Iran, Mirror.co.uk reported. An Iranian government-affiliated agency reportedly said the Simpsons are banned to avoid the promotion of Western culture. But Superman and Spiderman are allowed, because they helped the "oppressed". "We do not want to promote this cartoon by importing the toys," Shargh daily quoted Mohammad Hossein Farjoo, secretary of policymaking at the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, as saying. He did not elaborate on what was wrong with the Simpsons specifically. But he noted that any doll on which genitals are distinguishable, as well as dolls of adults, are banned. So are toys with speakers that blare out the voices of Western singers, or toy kitchen sets which include glasses for drinking alcoholic beverages. Mr Farjoo said however that Spiderman and Superman dolls are authorised for sale. "They help oppressed people and they have a positive stance," he said. The agency is the one which called Barbie dolls a "Trojan horse" in 1996. In January, police said they closed down dozens of toy shops for selling Barbies. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |