Shops Closed in Iran for Giving 'Un-Islamic' Do's

Western or unconventional styles are officially out in Iran, where police shuttered over a dozen barbershops in the past 2 weeks for giving “un-Islamic” haircuts. Such practices are forbidden thanks to an edict issued in April through the barber’s union. Eleven salons for women were also closed for license violations, including tattooing, which is forbidden by the health ministry.

April’s edict forbids male salons from offering “deviant Western” cuts, plucking eyebrows, or using cosmetics. It's all part of an effort to eliminate styles that rankle religious conservatives. The closings come amid a month-long police crackdown on women committing dress code violations by sporting revealing head scarves or clothing, the AFP reports. (More Iran stories.)