Iran: Barbie still wins Miss Popularity

Beats Islamic version hands down.

Iranian children seem to prefer the popular western dolls, Barbie and Ken, rather than the Islamic Dara and Sara dolls, that were created to instill Islamic values. "This data is a clear sign of a failed policy adopted by the government with the aim of stopping the western cultural invasion," said website 'Tabnak', which is close to Mohsen Rezaii, former commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

The Dara and Sara dolls are modestly dressed and wear Islamic garments, but have failed to make a name for themselves unlike their 'western' counterparts, Barbie and Ken, which can be found in one out of every two Iranian children's rucksacks and notebooks, claimed Tabnak.

Dara and Sara were marketed by the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, a government agency with links to the Ministry of Education.