By Jerram Watts
Female immodesty is killing thousands of innocent people.
Not directly, but indirectly by causing earthquakes, according to Tehran's acting Friday prayer leader.
“Many women who do not dress modestly… lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society which, [consequently], increases earthquakes,” Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi was quoted as saying in Iranian media.
“What can we do to avoid being buried under the rubble?” Mr Sedighi said during a Friday prayer sermon.
“There is no other solution but to take refuge in religion and to adapt our lives to Islam’s moral codes.”
But that point of view doesn’t sit well with Blag Hag blogger Jen McCreight.
Read chief editor James Murray's blog on Boobquake here.
The student from Indiana has launched a Facebook campaign against Mr Sedighi's comments, asking women across the world to wear their most revealing outfits to test the cleric’s theories.
The campaign is called Boobquake – and today is Boobquake Day.
“On Monday, April 26th I will wear the most cleavage-showing shirt I own… the one usually reserved for a night on the town,” says organiser Jennifer McCreight on the Facebook page.
“I encourage other female sceptics to join me and embrace the supposed supernatural power of their breasts.
“With the power of our scandalous bodies combined, we should surely produce an earthquake.”
The 22-year-old says while the Boobquake campaign is light-hearted, she will research earthquake activity after the one-day campaign is finished.
“To the scientists who are concerned with my methods, don’t worry, I fully plan on doing some statistics after the event,” she says.
“I know how many earthquakes happen on a daily basis, so we’re looking to see if Boobquake significantly increases the number or severity of earthquakes.”
The throws of Washington are far removed from desolate Tehran – a city precariously placed along scores of fault lines.
Seismologists have warned for almost 20 years that the Iranian capital is likely to be struck by a catastrophic quake in the near future.
However, Tehran has not suffered a major quake since 1830.
The most devastating quake to hit Iran in recent years was in 2003 when the southern city of Bam was hit hard – 31,000 people died.
“A divine authority told me to tell the people to make a general repentance,” Mr Sedeghi said. “Why? Because calamities threaten us.”
Potential calamities aside, the Boobquake campaign is more of a feminist statement, says Ms McCreight.
“It’s not supposed to be serious activism that is going to revolutionise women’s rights,” she says. “But just a bit of fun, juvenile humour. I’m a firm believer that when someone says something so stupid and hateful, serious discourse isn’t going to accomplish anything – sometimes light-hearted mockery is worthwhile.
“I don’t think the event is completely contrary to feminist ideals. If men ogle, that’s the fault of the men, not me for dressing how I like. If I want to show a little cleavage or joke about my boobs – that’s my prerogative.”
Ironically, the cleric's comments may have increased the chance of an earthquake occurring - if the number of videos posted on YouTube are anything to go by.
So dare to bare, women of the world, and do your part to save humanity.
3 News
Read the Blag Hag blog about Boobquake here