Closure of Greenland Recreational Complex in Shiraz on Charges of Involvement in Modeling Project

Local website 'Shirazeh' reported the closure of the 'Greenland' recreational complex in Shiraz due to allegations of participation and involvement in a 'modeling' project and 'exploitation' of young girls, following orders from judicial authorities. This website announced the closure on Friday, July 9, citing an unnamed security official, who also mentioned that the retired manager of the complex has been arrested. The official stated that the 'Greenland' complex had previously hosted performances by the music group 'Dynamite Show' and has 'extensive connections with some powerful individuals.' He added that there have been 'numerous efforts to exert influence and pressure to lift the closure of this complex on the relevant authorities, which have been ineffective.' The security official further noted that judicial and security agencies have 'taken decisive action against these influences.' The 'Greenland' complex, located in the new city of 'Sadra' in Shiraz, is a recreational, sports, and commercial complex, and official sources have not yet commented on the news regarding its closure. Asadollah Imani, the representative of the Supreme Leader in Fars province, also warned during this week's Friday prayers in Shiraz about modeling activities and what he referred to as 'street mannequins' in the city. Imani characterized these activities as 'underground,' aimed at 'promoting immodesty and indecency,' and supported by 'imperialism.' The Friday prayer leader claimed that an 'organization' is guiding and directing 'underground' modeling groups to promote indecency, but did not specify the name of this organization. He criticized the prevalence of 'immodesty' in Shiraz and called for action against 'manifestations of bad hijab,' 'mixed dancing events in Shiraz gardens,' and other occurrences that are 'happening beneath the surface of the city.' The crackdown on modeling and the demands of hardline conservatives for action against it intensified after a center affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards announced on May 15 that in a project called 'Spider Project 2' on social media, especially Instagram, 170 individuals managing modeling pages had been 'identified.' According to the 'Cyber Organized Crime Center' report, legal cases have been formed against 29 of the 'main managers and associates' of modeling pages on social media, leading to the arrest of eight individuals, summons of others, and the closure of 'locations related to their crimes.' This center also claimed in its daily report that Instagram operators are seeking to 'change the Iranian-Islamic lifestyle,' evidenced by '20% of the space on this network being occupied with modeling and professional vulgarity topics.' The crackdown on manifestations of modern lifestyle in Iran intensified after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, explicitly criticized the prevalence of 'brand-wearing,' foreign travel, English language education, 'newly rich kids,' and modern lifestyle in Iran in early May. In this context, the Fars province Revolutionary Guards arrested an individual on charges of 'promoting leggings,' formed legal cases against managers of dozens of modeling pages on Instagram, and the U.S. State Department reacted to reports of Instagram arrests in Iran. 'Spider 2' is a project aimed at preventing the impact of lifestyle on the political arena.