- The show has been blocked by ‘order of the honorable judicial authority’
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The Iranian version of Blind Date has been shut down by the country’s theocratic rulers after the show gained immense popularity among younger audiences dreaming of a more Western lifestyle.
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 inappropriately.
The Iranian version of the show, which has been watched by millions of viewers online, shows young men and women trying to find love by answering questions posed by Iranian influencer Viny.
The show’s Instagram page was also blocked by ‘order of the honorable judicial authority’ until ‘further notice’.
The British version of the show, best known for its run on ITV when it was presented by Cilia Black between 1985 and 2003, attracted an audience of 14 million viewers at its peak.
The Iranian version of Blind Date has been shut down by the country’s theocratic rulers after the show gained immense popularity among younger audiences dreaming of a more Western lifestyle.
Born in 2003, Viny was a comedian and popular YouTuber before hosting the Iranian version of Blind Date.
Some episodes, still available on YouTube, offer a rare glimpse of life in a pariah state, where the hijab is mandatory for women and 650 people were recently killed in street protests.
In one episode, a woman named Neusha reveals that she has spent the last 12 years living in California, where she works as a real estate agent.
More than 1.8 million young Iranians have left the country since 2020.
Her potential partner, Majid, reveals that he is an accomplished and successful sportsman, prompting Neusha to flex her muscles in approval.
Viny continues by asking the contestants the month they were born, since in Iran, astrology is believed to be useful when choosing a husband or wife.
After revealing that he was born in June, Majid appears to surprise a disappointed Neusha and exclaims: ‘Oh no! Actually?’
The crackdown on the program comes after more than a year of nationwide protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini (pictured), a young woman who was arrested for wearing the hijab inappropriately.
Viny also quizzes the couple about their happiest and saddest moments, Western culture, and their favorite Persian food.
In a blow to his chances of romance, Majid reveals that he hates the smell of onions, an important ingredient in Neusha’s beloved minced lamb kebabs.
While such conversations seem innocent by Western standards, dating can be difficult in a country that requires its citizens to comply with strict Islamic laws.
A study conducted in 2022 found that half of Iran’s population of 86 million people were under the age of 35, of whom almost 68 percent were single.