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Anyone walking their four-legged friend on the streets of Iran now risks more than just a fine – and it's all down to deeply religious reasons.
What's part of daily life in many countries now comes with a serious risk in Iran, after authorities in at least 20 cities have banned dog walking.
The ban has been in place in the capital, Tehran, for years, but it has now been extended nationwide.
According to the state newspaper Iran, the measures aim to "maintain public order, ensure security and protect public health".
But critics suspect a cultural-political message behind the crackdown: For many religious hardliners, dogs symbolise not just impurity, but also the influence of Western lifestyles.
"Walking dogs damages Islamic culture as well as hygiene and the peace of others", he explained. This attitude is widespread in conservative circles there. Barely comprehensible to Western observers, but a sad reality in Iran.
"Walking dogs damages Islamic culture as well as hygiene and the peace of others", he explained. This attitude is widespread in conservative circles there. Barely comprehensible to Western observers, but a sad reality in Iran.
Many dog owners refuse to be intimidated. Particularly in the capital, Tehran, many owners continue to walk their pets in the open. But this is far from safe.
With each extension of the ban, the risk of attracting the authorities' attention grows, too, and dog walks in Iran may now be seen as a political act. Daily walks with a canine companion have become a cultural battle.
What's part of daily life in many countries now comes with a serious risk in Iran, after authorities in at least 20 cities have banned dog walking.
The ban has been in place in the capital, Tehran, for years, but it has now been extended nationwide.
Dogs seen as "unclean and Western"
What's the reason behind the ban?According to the state newspaper Iran, the measures aim to "maintain public order, ensure security and protect public health".
But critics suspect a cultural-political message behind the crackdown: For many religious hardliners, dogs symbolise not just impurity, but also the influence of Western lifestyles.
The symbolic impact of the ban
In 2017, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made it clear that "keeping dogs for reasons other than herding, hunting, and guard dogs is to be considered reprehensible"."Walking dogs damages Islamic culture as well as hygiene and the peace of others", he explained. This attitude is widespread in conservative circles there. Barely comprehensible to Western observers, but a sad reality in Iran.
The symbolic impact of the ban
In 2017, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made it clear that "keeping dogs for reasons other than herding, hunting, and guard dogs is to be considered reprehensible"."Walking dogs damages Islamic culture as well as hygiene and the peace of others", he explained. This attitude is widespread in conservative circles there. Barely comprehensible to Western observers, but a sad reality in Iran.
Many dog owners refuse to be intimidated. Particularly in the capital, Tehran, many owners continue to walk their pets in the open. But this is far from safe.
With each extension of the ban, the risk of attracting the authorities' attention grows, too, and dog walks in Iran may now be seen as a political act. Daily walks with a canine companion have become a cultural battle.
