Iran Says Spiky Hair Is Devil Worship

05.04.2015 | Surge Wire |

Bad news for Iranians would want to rock American 90s-era frosted tips: Mostafa Govahi, head of Iran’s government-run barbers’ union, announced Monday that spiky haircuts were forbidden in Iran because they represented Satanism.

Govahi told the state-run ISNA news agency that the hairstyles, which are popular among some fashion-minded young men in Iran, are the consequence of barbershops operating without a license. In the translation of Agence France-Presse, Govahi said, “Any shop that cuts hair in the devil worshipping style will be harshly dealt with and their licence revoked.”

In his statement, he also condemned tattoos, men’s tanning salons and eyebrow plucking. (RELATED: Iranian Official Greeted In New York With ‘Hanging Party’ Prank)

A similar announcement came in 2007 under a prior head of the barbers’ union, though it avoided referring to spiked-up hair as “devil worship.”

And in 2010, Iran’s government released a handbook for “Islamic” men’s hairstyles, which explicitly prohibited ponytails, mullets, spikes and excessive use of gel.

It is therefore unclear whether the latest announcement reflects a an actual change in the Islamic Republic’s laws regulating fashion and personal appearance, or just a new connection between spiked hair and Satan.

The union which Govahi heads only oversees the men’s grooming business. A separate union regulates women’s beauty parlors — a thriving industry despite laws that require women to cover their hair in public. Similarly, Iran is one of the world’s most robust markets for cosmetic surgery. (RELATED: Iranians Mock Official Attempts To Erase Ex-President)

The barber’s union, like other professional unions in Iran, is carefully observed by the Ministry of Labor through a system called “Islamic Labor Councils.” Independent labor unions are almost non-existent in Iran.

Follow Ivan Plis on Twitter

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.