June 20-2014
A Majlis deputy announced last week that he and two other deputies were flying to Brazil to make sure that Iranians there comply with Islamic standards.
Deputy Hossain Azin told reporters, “Iran’s presence in the World Cup is a big international matter…. Deputies are sent to Brazil to make sure that Islamic customs are adhered to.”
Azin expressed concern about the “particular culture” in Brazil.
He said the group would monitor the behavior of both team members and fans.
One problem Azin may discover is that most of the fans shouting in Farsi actually live in Latin America and don’t adhere to Azin’s standards normally.
Some media reports said Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani opposed the apparently self-appointed morals squad.
In keeping with those standards, state television declined to broadcast the opening ceremonies of the Cup. The head of Channel Three, Majid Zeynalabedin, said, “We live in an Islamic country and our broadcasting standards are in line with … sacred family values.”
The opening ceremony included performances by Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull as well as local singers and dancers who often show more skin than clothing.
In an attempt at crowd control, Iranian police have banned cafes and restaurants from airing World Cup games, especially Iran’s own matches.
Though state television will broadcast the games, police told the Cafe Owners Union in Tehran not to tune into broadcast matches.
The concern is clearly about vast hordes of fans pouring into the streets to celebrate after a game. In the past, major soccer victories have seen huge and happy street parties—with many women in north Tehran abandoning headscarves.
However, those street parties weren’t filled with people pouring out of cafes, but rather pouring out of their homes.
Meanwhile, the authorities in the northeast Nigerian city of Adamawa ordered a ban on all public viewings of the games, citing the possibility of bombings during the events. “Our action is not to stop Nigerians … watching the World Cup. It is to protect their lives,” Brigadier General Nicholas Rogers told reporters last Wednesday.
The decision came a week after presumed members of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram set off a car bomb, killing 18 people who were watching a televised match in a viewing center in Adamawa.