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| Axis of Evil |
| Fun = Sin |
| 2002-03-19 |
The police chief in Mashhad canceled the "Let's Be Happy Again" comedy festival because he feared a public disturbance. Local prayer leader and Supreme Leader's Representative Ayatollah Mohammad-Baqer Shirazi had issued a religious decree or fatwa which declared that it is a religious duty to disrupt such an event. Mashhad-based journalist Mohammad-Sadeq Javadi-Hesar said in an 8 March interview with RFE/RL's Persian Service that some people believe happy gatherings are against Islamic values. "You over there! Wipe that smile off your face! You'll regret that smile when you're burning in hell!" |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |