Iran
...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites. Formerly a fairly civilized nation ruled by a Shah, it became a victim of Islamic revolution in 1979. The nation is today noted for spontaneouslytaking over other countries' embassies, maintaining whorehouses run by clergymen, involvement in international drug trafficking, and financing sock puppet
militiasto extend the regime's influence. The word
Iranis a cognate form of
Aryan.The abbreviation
IRGCis the same idea as
Stürmabteilung (or SA).The term
Supreme Guideis a the modern version form of either
Duceor
Führeror maybe both. They hate
on Monday unveiled an Islamic dating application aimed at facilitating "lasting and informed marriage" for its youth, state television
... and if you can't believe state television who can you believe?
reported.
Called Hamdam -- Farsi for "companion" -- the service allows users to "search for and choose their spouse," the broadcaster said.
It is the only state-sanctioned platform of its kind in the Islamic republic, according to Iran's cyberspace police chief, Colonel Ali Mohammad Rajabi.
While dating apps are popular in Iran, Rajabi said that all other platforms apart from Hamdam are illegal.
Developed by the Tebyan Cultural Institute, part of Iran's Islamic Propaganda Organization, Hamdam's website claims it uses "artificial intelligence" to find matches "only for bachelors seeking permanent marriage and a single spouse".
Tebyan head Komeil Khojasteh, speaking at the unveiling, said family values were threatened by outside forces.
"Family is the devil's target, and (Iran's enemies) seek to impose their own ideas" on it, he said, adding that the app helps create "healthy" families.
According to Hamdam's website, users have to verify their identity and go through a "psychology test" before browsing.
"Do you like Lavendar Oil?"
When a match is made, the app "introduces the families together with the presence of service consultants", who will "accompany" the couple for four years after marriage.
Registration is free, as Hamdam has "an independent revenue model," the website said without explaining further.
Iran's authorities, including the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
...the very aged actual dictator of Iran, successor to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini...
, have warned several times against the country's rising age of marriage and declining birth rates.
In March, Iran's conservative-dominated parliament passed a bill titled "population growth and supporting families."
It mandates the government to offer significant financial incentives for marriage and to encourage people to have more than two children, while limiting access to
The law awaits approval by the Guardian Council, which is tasked with checking that bills are compatible with Islamic law and the constitution.