Halal Internet

[Lachlan09]

Iran is poised to launch an internet network to operate in parallel to the worldwide web. It is geared to satisfy muslim needs and is intended to be used by muslims in the Middle East / Near East region but also wants to attract world-wide muslim users.

It is being launched to give muslims something of their own, for their sensibilities, so they don't have to use the current American-driven internet, which they feel contravenes Islamic values and only promotes American values.

My own thought - why don't they launch a version for Facebook for muslim women - they could call it Eyebook

Meanwhile, also in Iran, a company has been preparing to launch an “Islamic Barbie” -- a modestly-dressed doll called Fatima that it hopes will promote traditional values among Iranian girls.

Fam, the company that created Fatima, accused her popular American counterpart Barbie of encouraging Iranian girls to flout Iran’s strict dress code for women.

Hossein Homay Seresht, of Fam, said the doll would defend Iran’s pre-teens against “the enemy’s cultural invasion."

Eight years ago, Iran’s Institute for the Development of Children and Young Adults attempted to create a wholesome alternative to Barbie with brother and sister dolls Sara and Dara -- but they bombed, while Barbie remained a bestseller.

Meanwhile, Iranian inventor Hemat Komeili this week unveiled his design for a sword-shaped “Islamic” necktie -- an alternative to traditional ties, which are scorned by Iranian hard-liners as a symbol of Western decadence.

My own thought - will men not related to Fatima be able to buy the doll in shops ? The Fatima doll should be easy to dress up, just lots of black shrouds !

[sandy74]

I have a friend who has two little girls and their barbies always seem to be missing the clothes they came with and look like they have a bad case of bedhead. Guess those barbies are the trampy ones.