Malaysian state cracks down on 'un-islamic' hairstyles

Mohawk-style haircuts may be the cutting edge of funkiness all over the world, but officials in Malaysia's Kelantan state have deemed them 'un-islamic'.

Kelantan, which is ruled by the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, ordered a 17-year-old teenager to shave off his red-dyed Mohawk earlier this week, The Star newspaper reported on Saturday.

Officials were determined to rid Kelantan of 'skinhead and punk culture', The Star reported.

The crackdown on hairstyles is the latest in the party's moves to impose strict Islamic rules.

The party, which governs two of Malaysia's 13 states, has ordered separate shop counters and beaches for men and women. It's also banned alcohol, gambling, pop group performances and female entertainment acts.

Agencies