Iran issues fatwa against "Islamic unclean" pets

London, Aug. 27 (ANI):Iranian authorities have banned all advertisements for pets, pet food and other pet products.

The decision by Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance comes after a fatwa was issued by powerful cleric Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, The Telegraph reports.

Citing Islamic tradition, the fatwa said dogs are unclean.

In June this year, Ayatollah Shirazi declared dogs unclean, saying that dog owners were "blindly imitating the West" and that their devotion to the animals would result in "evil outcomes".

"Many people in the West love their dogs more than their wives and children," he said.

The ban on pet advertising is the latest attempt by Iran's culture ministry to undermine "decadent" Western culture.

In July, Tehran produced a catalogue of haircuts meeting government approval. The list banned ponytails, mullets and elaborate spikes. (ANI)