Iran cracks down on shops selling ‘satanic’ clothing
Eighteen shops in Tehran Province have been given warning of closure while several shop managers face legal action for selling clothing described as “satanic".
Eighteen shops in Tehran Province have been given warning of closure while several shop managers face legal action for selling clothing described as “satanic".
The shops are accused of selling clothes that run counter to Islamic values. The city’s police commander, Mohammad Ghasem Tarhani, described them as containing "unconventional logos and symbols."
"Considering that one of the goals of the sworn enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to lead the youth astray and exert influence through cultural and religious means, authorities are acting on information received about several shops and garment production units," stated Tarhani, according to Mehr News Agency on Wednesday.
As if a national emergency, he warned the public to “avoid unusual clothes for yourself and your children and inform the police by calling 110 if you see any sale or production of unusual clothes".
In mid-May, Iranian authorities arrested over 260 people at an underground rock music festival near Tehran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) affiliated Tasnim News Agency labeled the festival as a “Satanist” gathering.
Those detained had "signs and symbols of satanism on their clothes, head, face, and hair," according to Tasnim. In their report, Tasnim also released photos of masks, model skulls, and t-shirts depicting skulls.
