Banned in Iran: Barbie, ‘Simpsons’... and Buddha

Buddha statues have joined Barbie dolls and characters from The Simpsons as banned items in the conservative Muslim nation of Iran.

Authorities are confiscating Buddha statues from shops in the Iranian capital, Tehran, to stop the promotion of Buddhism in the country, according to a report in the independent Arman daily.

Iran has long fought against items such as Barbie toys to defuse Western influence, but this appears to be the first time Iranian authorities are showing an opposition to symbols from the East.