<p>[Iran</a> police start wider crackdown on un-Islamic dress | Reuters](<a href=“http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSHAF62811420080616?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true]Iran”>http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSHAF62811420080616?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true)</p>
<p>How the heck are you supposed to negotiate with these whack jobs? Just a thought.</p>
<p>So someone who wants to instill a dress code is a wack job?
It’s just a matter of degree.</p>
<p>I do nopt claim to be an expert, but Iran has traditionally been quite liberal w/re to sharia laws compared to Saudi Arabia who we consider an ally. In Tehran women typically wore very western fashion.</p>
<p>While the article references a crackdown on dress and fashion, it indicates that it will not go taliban on men and women. At least for now.</p>
<p>Though I personally enjoy the visual, I would not be sorry to see women’s fashion in the USA become a bit more modest. And I cannot fathom what the parents of some preteens and early teen girls are thinking. I find that as distressing as the crackdown in Iran.</p>
<p>just be glad that we do not live with such restrictions in our society.</p>
<p>If you are interested in a real-life take on this subject, the book “Reading Lolita in Tehran” by a female college professor who lived/taught there for many years is informative.</p>
<p>originaloog–while I think more modest dressing is beneficial to girls, I cannot put personal choice on par w/gov’t-sponsored restrictions on women/girls. Look at the history of fundamentalist repression of women…it’s not pretty.</p>
<p>Your selective vision of the world is mind-boggling. We seem to have no problem “negotiating” with these whack-jobs:</p>
<p>US Dept of State travel advisory (excerpts):</p>
<p>STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND RELIGIOUS POLICE: Islam is the official religion of the country and pervades all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia . Public display of non-Islamic religious articles such as crosses and Bibles is not permitted. Travel to Makkah (Mecca ) and Medina , the cities where the two holiest mosques of Islam are located, is forbidden to non-Muslims.</p>
<p>The norms for public behavior in Saudi Arabia are extremely conservative, and religious police, known as Mutawwa, are charged with enforcing these standards. Mutawwa are required to carry special identification and usually are accompanied by uniformed police; however, in some cases they have detained persons even without police presence. To ensure that conservative standards of conduct are observed, the Saudi religious police have accosted or arrested foreigners, including U.S. citizens, for improper dress or other alleged infractions, such as consumption of alcohol or association by a female with a male to whom she is not related. </p>
<p>The Saudi Embassy in Washington advises women traveling to Saudi Arabia to dress in a conservative fashion, wearing ankle-length dresses with long sleeves, and not to wear trousers in public. In many areas of Saudi Arabia , particularly Riyadh and the central part of the Kingdom, Mutawwa pressure women to wear a full-length black covering known as an Abaya, and to cover their heads. Most women in these areas therefore wear an Abaya and carry a headscarf to avoid being accosted. Women who appear to be of Arab or Asian origin, especially those presumed to be Muslims, face a greater risk of being confronted.</p>
<p>Some Mutawwa try to enforce the rule that men and women who are beyond childhood years may not mingle in public unless they are family or close relatives. Mutawwa may ask to see proof that a couple is married or related. Women who are arrested for socializing with a man who is not a relative may be charged with prostitution. Some restaurants, particularly fast-food outlets, have refused to serve women who are not accompanied by a close male relative. In addition, many restaurants no longer have a “family section” in which women are permitted to eat. These restrictions are not always posted, and in some cases women violating this policy have been arrested. </p>
<p>SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: A married woman should be aware that she must have her husband’s permission to depart or have their children depart Saudi Arabia . This is true even if the woman and/or children are U.S. citizens and even if her husband does not have Saudi nationality. The U.S. Embassy can intercede with the Saudi government to request exit permission for an adult American woman, but will not be able to obtain permission for the departure of minor children without the father’s agreement </p>
<p>Saudi customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning importation into Saudi Arabia of such banned items as alcohol products, weapons and any item that is held to be contrary to the tenets of Islam, such as pork products and pornography. Imported and domestic audiovisual media and reading matter are censored.</p>
<p>Saudi customs and postal officials broadly define what is contrary to Islam, and therefore prohibited. Christmas decorations, fashion magazines, and “suggestive” videos may be confiscated and the owner subject to penalties and fines.</p>
<p>Saudi authorities do not permit criticism of Islam or the royal family. The government prohibits the public practice of religions other than Islam. Non-Muslims suspected of violating these restrictions have been jailed. Homosexual activity is considered to be a criminal offense and those convicted may be sentenced to lashing, prison, or death.</p>
<p>Persons violating Saudi Arabian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, imprisoned or even executed.</p>
<p>[Saudi</a> Arabia](<a href=“404 - Page Not Found”>404 - Page Not Found)</p>