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Bikinis and mini-skirts may be commonplace in the Western world, but the Middle-East is a slightly different story. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran enforce strict modesty laws on women in keeping with Islamic tradition, and prohibit any skin other than the face and hands from showing. These restrictions even apply to Britney and Madonna, as it turns out.

Wearing sexy, revealing clothing is a great way to sell pretty much anything in North America. When these steamy images make their way into Islamic territories via media and advertisements, however, they're required to be toned down before they can be released to the public. In most cases, religious police in charge of censorship - known as mutaween - just take a big old Sharpie to Mariah's midriff or Shakira's shoulders. Recently, however, they've started to get a little creative with Photoshop, and even made headlines last week for replacing a woman in a pool ad with a beach ball. A+ for effort!

Check out the best, the worst, and the funniest edited images for sensitive audiences below, and just try to tell us that J-Lo isn't totally rocking those permanent marker pants.

#2

Mariah Carey - #1's

Mariah Carey - #1's

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#3

Pool Ad

Pool Ad

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Valentina
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So...in the Middle East it is OK for Winny the Pooh to marry Barney and adopt/have 3 surrogate kids! Legendary!!

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#4

Shakira - Oral Fixation

Shakira - Oral Fixation

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#6

Britney Spears - Oops!...I Did It Again

Britney Spears - Oops!...I Did It Again

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#9

Nirvana - Nevermind

Nirvana - Nevermind

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didi
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have 2 cassette tapes of this album from the early 90s in Saudi: one with white shorts and the other with black ones!

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#13

Jennifer Paige - Jennifer Paige

Jennifer Paige - Jennifer Paige

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M O'Connell
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least it's done better than many of the others. And it's a legit style. I probably wouldn't have noticed.

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#17

Censored Floaties In Saudi Arabia

Censored Floaties In Saudi Arabia

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#19

Gisele Bundchen's H&M Ad Campaign Censored For Middle East

Gisele Bundchen's H&M Ad Campaign Censored For Middle East

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Dima Less
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol, can someone please explain me why make an Ad campaign for the countries where nobody will be allowed to wear this s**t?

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#21

Toni Braxton - More Than A Woman

Toni Braxton - More Than A Woman

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Bianka Nagy
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More than a woman, less than a man, apparently... go ahead, give me all the thumbs down :)

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#22

Mariah Carey - The Art Of Letting Go

Mariah Carey - The Art Of Letting Go

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#29

Back Cover Of Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now'

Back Cover Of Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now'

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#30

Gloria Estefan - Abriendo Puertas

Gloria Estefan - Abriendo Puertas

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Zenozenobee
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Come on! the original one was way less provocative than the Lady Gaga remix cover after they added strips!

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#32

Katy Perry - One Of The Boys

Katy Perry - One Of The Boys

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Vickie Martin
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No kidding...she can kiss a girl and like it but not be seen in shorts ahahaha

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#34

Clarks Ad In Kuwait On The Left (It Is Allowed To Show Knees And Women Without A Headscarf) And In Saudi Arabia On The Right (It's Not Allowed)

Clarks Ad In Kuwait On The Left (It Is Allowed To Show Knees And Women Without A Headscarf) And In Saudi Arabia On The Right (It's Not Allowed)

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#37

Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey

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#38

Shakira - Laundry Service

Shakira - Laundry Service

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Kate Brannan
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strange that women in the music business have to get their baps out and show this much skin when thr same isnt expected of men. Not saying skin censorship is the way, however. We need to ask ourselves, why? Oh yeah, sex sells. And i thought that it was the music which spoke for itself. Obv im muchos wrong, wrong, wrong xx

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#42

This Huge Advertisement With Blurred Woman's Face In A Mall Of Jeddah

This Huge Advertisement With Blurred Woman's Face In A Mall Of Jeddah

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#45

Solid Harmonie - I'll Be There For You

Solid Harmonie - I'll Be There For You

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Hallak65
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give a like, if you heard about this band before. Only 90s kids will remember :D

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#46

Tlc - Unpretty

Tlc - Unpretty

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Kate Brannan
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the first iv ever heard about this Sharpie form of fashiom. Maybe its cos... As long as the records are getting sold, no artist actually really minds. Lesson learned= money is the real religion of the masses x

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#49

Hasna - Bamba

Hasna - Bamba

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