Muslim 'Barbie and Ken' dolls created by Iranian government

[emad]

An Iranian government agency has developed an Islamic version of Barbie-style dolls as an antidote to the "harmful" influence of dolls and accessories from America.
By Charlotte Bailey
Last Updated: 9:45AM BST 24 Sep 2008



Dara and Sara' have been created by the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults in an effort to promote traditional Muslim values in the country.

Unlike their American counterparts, the toys come dressed in modest clothing. They also have pro-family backgrounds and each of the four models of Sara comes with a white headscarf.

They will be sold for just a third of the price of a Barbie doll.

Toy seller Masoumeh Rahimi welcomed the dolls, noting that the image of Barbie as buxom, blonde and wearing revealing clothing was "more harmful than an American missile."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/3071622/Muslim-Barbie-and-Ken-dolls-created-by-Iranian-government.html

[Dorian Gray]

1. I was watching

Anthony Bordain's No Reservations recently, and the episode took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. They showed Barbie dolls in full Islamic garb, so this isn't new. Though these dolls are probably the Iranian version while other countries have their own.

[azurnoir]

2. Farah the "islamic" Barbie has been around

for awhile and is available even on Ebay. I remember reading that she came about after Mattel released as part of their "Princesses of the World" Barbie's an Arabian Princess dressed in a "I dream of Genie" costume

There is also now a Little Farah who looks about be a child rather adult, these dolls appear to be competition for that one.

As far as more dangerous than a missle I don't know about that but even in the US the relationship between Barbie and the number of young women suffering anorexia and the numbers getting breast implants has been questioned.

[stillcool]

3. It's kind of surprising...

that this has not been done before, considering how many Muslims there are in the world compared to the anglo population.