Iran bans half-mast flag to respect 'Allah' emblem

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran has banned the national flag from flying at half-mast during periods of mourning in order to show respect for the writing of Allah's (God's) name on the flag.

The Iranian flag carries the words "la ilaha illa Allah", the Arabic phrase meaning there is no god but Allah, between its green, white and red stripes. It also carries the words "Allah-o-Akbar" (God is Greatest).

"The Iranian flag carries Allah-o-Akbar and la ilaha illa Allah. In order to respect the sanctity of these terms the flag should never be flown at half mast," Vice President Parviz Davudi said in a directive to state organizations.

Under the rule of Pahlavi shahs who were ousted by the Islamic revolution in 1979, the national flag carried a sun and lion emblem in its middle white stripe and no words.