IRANIAN VERSION OF BLIND DATE SHUT DOWN BY REGIME
Iran’s version of Blind Date has been censored by the country’s theocratic rulers after it became a must-watch for young people dreaming of more Western lifestyles.
The crackdown comes after more than a year of nationwide protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who was arrested for wearing the hijab improperly.
Blind Date has attracted millions of viewers to its online episodes where young men and women attempt to find love by answering questions posed by Iranian influencer Viny.
The format is best known in Britain for 18 years of innuendo-laden Saturday night shows on ITV hosted by Cilla Black with voiceover artist “our Graham” Skidmore. The show attracted 14 million viewers at its peak and ended in 2003.
Unsurprisingly, the Persian version, which follows the same format as its British namesake, with prospective couples exchanging questions before being unveiled to one another from behind a curtain, is somewhat more demure.
In one episode, the would-be couple clashed on several issues, with the woman saying she wishes to share everything with her future partner and rejecting the idea – prevalent in Iranian society – that men are superior to women.
While espousing such a view would do little to raise eyebrows in the West, to do so publicly in Iran is another matter.
Programme’s Instagram page blocked
The show was deemed radical enough to be shut down by the regime’s censors, who are tightening already stringent restrictions on social media in a country where many use virtual private networks to access forbidden content.
The show’s Instagram page was blocked by order “of the honourable judicial authority” until “further notice”.
Iran’s social media stars have continued to highlight a more liberal, youthful lifestyle even though it clashes with the country’s repressive leadership.
Viny, born in 2003, was a comedian and popular YouTuber before presenting his version of Blind Date.
Some episodes remain available on YouTube, giving a rare insight into life in a pariah state, where the hijab is mandatory for women and 650 people were recently killed in street protests.
Viny peppers the male and female contestants with questions as they sit in chairs facing the camera separated by a black curtain.
At the end, the curtain is pulled back and the contestants announce whether they will go on a date by giving a thumbs up or thumbs down.
Some contestants are leading Western lifestyles in countries the regime decries as enemies of Islam.
In one episode, a woman called Neusha reveals she has spent the last 12 years living in California, where she works as an estate agent. More than 1.8 million young Iranians have left the country since 2020.
Her prospective partner, Majid, reveals he is a medal-winning sportsman, which leads Neusha to flex her muscles approvingly.
Viny goes on to ask the contestants the month they were born. In Iran, astrology is believed to be useful in choosing a husband or wife.
When Majid reveals he was born in June, a disappointed Neusha declares “Oh no! Really?”
Viny also grills the couple over their happiest and saddest moments, Western culture, and their favourite Persian food.
In a blow to their chances of romance, Majid reveals he can’t stand the smell of onion, a major ingredient in Neusha’s beloved minced lamb kebabs.
While such talk seems innocent by Western standards, dating can be difficult in a country that adheres to strict Islamic laws.
A study in 2022 found half of Iran’s population of 86 million people were under the age of 35, with nearly 68 per cent of them single.
2024-04-10T18:20:48Z dg43tfdfdgfd