Yellow Stars Become Strips

A new law has just been passed by the Iranian parliament which would require Jews and Christians and Zoroastrians to wear coloured badges to identify themselves. Upon hearing this story as FARK I immediately checked the BBC website- and there's not a single mention. I suppose I shouldn't be shocked by this but I am- Britain's major news outlet not reporting on a story like this! Not on the news front page or even on the Middle East page. Of course they do have time for the "top story" of Bruce Willis talking about Die Hard 4. They don't stand idle for the really important stories.

Iranian expatriates living in Canada yesterday confirmed reports that the Iranian parliament, called the Islamic Majlis, passed a law this week setting a dress code for all Iranians, requiring them to wear almost identical "standard Islamic garments."

The law, which must still be approved by Iran's "Supreme Guide" Ali Khamenehi before being put into effect, also establishes special insignia to be worn by non-Muslims.

Iran's roughly 25,000 Jews would have to sew a yellow strip of cloth on the front of their clothes, while Christians would wear red badges and Zoroastrians would be forced to wear blue cloth.

And here's a notable part of the story-

The new law was drafted two years ago, but was stuck in the Iranian parliament until recently when it was revived at the behest of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Jihad Watch frequently prefaces stories about Iran's nuclear aspirations with the phrase "1938 alert". Can the parallels be any clearer than this?

Update- The facts of the story still don't seem to be clear. There are denials coming from Iranian officials, along with further references to the coloured badges being part of some minor amendment to the dress code bill. Hot Air is keeping a close eye on things. Be sure to read Andrew Bostom's feature on the background to the badges and the Islamic concept of najis