Islam considers dogs, man’s best friend in some countries, impure animals.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has maintained a complex relationship with pets over the years, but now its prohibition is directly raised by considering animals such as “dangerous” and “unclean” dogs and cats.
“Animals cause a gradual change in the Iranian and Islamic way of life and replace love and sentimental ties between the people for the one of the animals ”, reads a draft of law sent this month to the Parliament of Iran.
The project of the “Law of Public Protection against Dangerous and Harmful Animals“Proposes the prohibition of” the import, reproduction, breeding, sale or transport of dangerous and dirty animals “, in addition to their presence in public spaces.
Dangerous animals include crocodiles, turtles, snakes, chameleons, rats, and monkeys.
But also other more common ones like dogs, cats and rabbits.
If the text is approved, those actions would be fined with amounts between 10 and 30 times the country’s minimum wage and the confiscation of animals.
The law allows certain organizations, such as the Police, pharmaceutical laboratories and the Armed Forces, among others, to have animals.
And it establishes that if a person wants a dog or a cat, they can request a special permit at the tax office of each province, which will “investigate” the requests.
unclean
The 75 parliamentarians -of a total of 295 of the hemicycle- who have presented the legislation argue that animals spread diseases, “create impurities“, Cause” psychological damage “,” stress “and” damage the spirit of people “, among other issues.
And it is that Islam considers dogs, man’s best friend in some countries, impure animals.
It is an “essential nayes” for this religion, that is, its contact leaves the Muslim in a state of impurity that prevents him from fulfilling his religious rites.
Sweat, saliva and dog hair “make people dirty” and they cause the sentence to be “invalid”, in the opinion of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The late Ayatollah Ruholah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic, claimed even in the 1980s that a building built on land where a dog urinated or passed will be unclean.
Despite this, in more modern urban centers, such as the wealthier northern Tehran neighborhoods, the number of citizens walking their pets has increased in recent years.
This increase of dogs in the streets has caused clashes between the mayor of the Iranian capital and canine lovers with the authorities trying to avoid taking dogs out for a walk, even if there are no laws prohibiting it.
The response to the proposed legislation ranges from approval by the more conservative to anger by the less religious or irony.
“In my opinion it has no logic“, he says Efe Maryam Talaí, an animal activist and owner of a dog shelter in Tehran.
“I do not know why a group of parliamentarians dedicate their time and people’s money to address this issue instead of solving the problems of the country,” he continues.
Actress Hanieh Tavassoli opted for irony with a photo of her cat on Instagram with the dedication “my dangerous darling”In reference to the legislation. The post received more than 60,000 “likes” and attracted almost 1,500 comments.
For its part, the Veterinary Association described the law as anti-animalistic.
“The text of the law is anti-animalistic and goes beyond the customs and religious laws,” according to the association.
A cafe for cats
The growing fondness for animals of some citizens of Tehran can be seen in the cafe Persian Cat Museum, an establishment where in addition to pizzas and salads you can enjoy the company of kittens.
On its second and third floors, 27 cats, of different types, rest in the sun or allow themselves to be caressed by visitors.
The site, which opened just before the coronavirus pandemic began, receives about 100 visitors a day, attracted by animals, especially women or families with children.
One of them is Shadí Aydarí, a 20-year-old girl who comes often because his parents do not allow him to have a cat at home.
“That law is wrong, it seems exaggerated and very harsh. I don’t see any problem with people wanting to have pets, ”he says in the building full of cats. (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
