Iran to combat 'immoral' dating with official marriage site

Local media quote officials as saying site would launch in next few days, promote long-term marriages

TEHRAN: Iran announced plans to combat what it says are "immoral" online dating websites by launching an official site for young people seeking marriage.

Local media quoted officials as saying the site would launch in the next few days and promote long-term marriages among the under-30s who make up 55 percent of Iran's 77 million people.

There are strict prohibitions on sexual contact before marriage in the conservative country, but that can be circumvented under the Shia form of Islam practiced in Iran by "sigheh," or temporary marriage, under which a couple can contract matrimony for as little as an hour.

The government is seeking to discourage the practice and the deputy minister for youth and sport, Mahmoud Gholrazi, said there are as many as 300 websites deemed "illegal and immoral" that often encourage sigheh.

The ministry, in cooperation with the Islamic propaganda organisation, will launch a new site "where young people can sign up and introduce themselves," Gholrazi was quoted by daily newspaper Arman as saying.

Gholrazi did not say whether the site would be similar to traditional ones, where members post photos on a profile describing themselves, their interests and what they are seeking, but he did say "counselors and psychologists" would work with it.

Noting that Iran has a marriageable population of around 11 million, he said that, "with the help of this site, we could have 100,000 marriages with a correct method, and the problem of marriage for young people would be partly solved."

Not only is the government attempting to encourage marriage, it is also seeking to reduce a record divorce rate which has reached 22 percent. In big cities such as Tehran, an estimated one in three couples divorce.