While the series was aired in Iran, it was the harsh time of Iran–Iraq War, and everything had to be according to the fundamentalist ideology of the ruling clergy of Islamic Republic of Iran. On January 28, 1989, Iran National Radio had a special report on the birthday anniversary of Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed. The aim of the report was to tell the people that Fatimah was the best role-model for the Iranian women. But all of a sudden, a young lady told the reporter that despite the common belief, she can not accept Fatimah as a role-model, because she lived 1400 earlier than her time. She added that some women accepted Oshin as a role-model, but she could not accept that, too. Because she was from a different culture (Japan). But that was enough to ignite the anger of Ayatollah Khomeini. He ordered the National Radio and Television to persecute those involved in that report. He asked for execution of those people if it was deliberate. Khomeini regarded that report as an insult to Fatimah and according to his interpretation of the Islamic Jurisprudence the punishment of such an act was death. Fortunately, no body was executed, but 5 people were reportedly persecuted with the punishments ranging from imprisonment to lashing according to the Sharia law.