The head of the 'Social Capital, Cultural Affairs, and Lifestyle' department of the Ministry of Interior announced the ministry's readiness to grant licenses to marriage websites in Iran. According to a report from Mehr News Agency on Wednesday, April 24, Ismail Kochakian made this statement during a brainstorming session on matchmaking websites. Kochakian stated that the activities of marriage websites should not be hindered and that they should be defined 'within the realm of NGOs' and that 'the necessary expertise should be provided to them.' This official added that 'working sessions with the responsible agencies should be held to minimize the adverse effects of these websites, and granting licenses to these websites should be easy and straightforward.' Hossein Bozorgmanesh, a representative from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, also announced at this meeting that the ministry receives an average of two or three requests per week for licenses to operate marriage websites. Bozorgmanesh added that since issues related to these websites have been assigned to the Ministry of Sports and Youth, license requests at the Ministry of Culture 'hit a dead end.' In September 2014, Mahmoud Golzari, Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth, reported the existence of 300 'illegal' marriage websites, stating that their activities 'create problems in the real world.' The operation of marriage websites in Iran, which has unofficially begun years ago, has always been a controversial issue among the officials of the Islamic Republic. Iranian authorities approach the activities of these websites with caution and have often filtered them. The Ministry of Sports and Youth, which has been tasked with organizing these websites, has also announced that it will establish a reference website in this area. Over the past year, some religious institutions have also started their own matchmaking websites. In this context, '20 percent' of marriages in Iran are 'temporary.'
Ministry of Interior Ready to Grant Licenses to Marriage Websites
The Iranian Ministry of Interior is prepared to grant licenses to marriage websites, indicating a shift in policy towards these platforms. This development comes amidst ongoing discussions about the regulation and impact of such websites, which have been controversial in the past. The move could reflect a broader acceptance of online matchmaking in Iranian society.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iranian Ministry of Interior announced its readiness to grant licenses to marriage websites, indicating a potential policy shift towards regulating these platforms. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about the impact and legality of such websites in Iran.
- The Ministry of Culture receives multiple requests for marriage website licenses each week.
- There are currently around 300 illegal marriage websites operating in Iran.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Marriage websites in Iran have been controversial due to concerns about their impact on traditional values and social norms. The government has historically approached these platforms with caution.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%