AP
Iran confiscates Buddha statues in crackdown on “cultural invasion”
Officials are confiscating the statues from shops in the capital, Tehran, to stop the promotion of Buddhism, according to a report in the independent Arman daily.
The Islamic republic has long fought against items such as Barbie toys to block western influence, but this appears to be the first time authorities have shown an opposition to symbols from the east.
The newspaper quoted Saeed Jaberi Ansari, an official for the protection of Iran’s cultural heritage, as calling the Buddha statues symbols of “cultural invasion”.
He reportedly said authorities would not permit a specific belief to be promoted through such items. Ansari did not say how many Buddhas had been seized, but said the “cleansing” would continue.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
So, when do they ban the Koran?
OldEnglish on February 17, 2013 at 6:50 PM
Hmm… apparently all those Iranians living in the East (China, Japan, and South Korea) are bringing back more than money.
CPT. Charles on February 17, 2013 at 7:08 PM
Christianity and Buddhism — religions of love, life, and liberty.
Islam — religion of hate, death, and bondage.
Paul-Cincy on February 17, 2013 at 7:12 PM
But what are they planning on doing about the Aqua Buddhas?
JohnGalt23 on February 17, 2013 at 7:46 PM
I recommend that the Buddhists of Afghanistan do this to all intrusive Islamic items in their land.
Except that the Muslim invaders killed them off.
Being religious pacifists makes exterminating you a breeze.
Blowing up your final monumental relics centuries later at Bamiyan is identical to this Iranian move.
I recommend that the dislocated Zoroastrians -living as Parsees in India- demand the Muslims in Persia to go back to Arabia.
profitsbeard on February 17, 2013 at 7:54 PM
So when is Hillary going to record an apology to Bhuddists for the insult delivered by the muslims.
Answer: no need, since Bhuddists are not part of the WH equation, and there is no need to placate them either, because they are not barbarians
entagor on February 17, 2013 at 8:43 PM