Iranian officials confiscate Buddha statues from shops: Report

ISTANBUL

A statue of Buddha from Vietnam. REUTERS photo/Kham

Iranian authorities have begun confiscating Buddha statues from shops in Iran’s capital city Tehran to prevent the promotion of Buddhism, a report in daily Arman has claimed,The Associated Press has reported.

Barbie dolls and items related to the American TV series “The Simpsons” have already been banned in Iran to protect the population from Western influence.

An official working for the protection of Iran’s cultural heritage has announced Buddha statues to be a part of a “cultural invasion,” stating the government would not permit items that promote a specific belief.

However, Iranians buy Buddha statues to decorate their homes, not because they subscribe to Buddhist beliefs, according to an unnamed shopkeeper.

Some Islamists follow a strict interpretation of Islam and do not support the production of statues of any kind as they consider them a way to promote idols.