Couple in Iran goes public with marriage proposal, gets arrested

Fundamentalist interpretations of Islam have, on multiple occasions, gotten Muslims into trouble for rather innocent acts. The arrest of a young couple in Iran is a case in point.

The couple's arrest came after footage of their public marriage proposal went viral on social media. According to The Guardian, the duo was arrested for "offending" Islamic teachings and going against the country's public decency laws.

The video, which began gaining traction last week, shows the young man standing in the middle of a heart-shaped ring of flower petals as he proposes to the woman. After putting a ring on it, the woman gasps with excitement and tears up. 

The proposal took place in a shopping mall in the Iranian city of Arak. 

Mahmoud Khalaji, the deputy police commander of Markazi province, explained that the couple had been taken into custody following "public demand," according to the BBC.

The couple's identity has not been revealed.

Though the couple has been released on bail, the decision to arrest the individuals seemed justifiable (without explanation) by one police officer.

Deputy Police Chief Mostafa Norouzi said it is "unacceptable" for individuals "to do whatever is common in other places of the world and disregard mores, culture and religion" in Iran.

The "offence is very clear and there is no need for explanation," he added.

In Iran, the mixing of genders and displays of public affection are restricted.

In 2018, an 18-year-old girl was arrested in Iran after posting videos of herself dancing on Instagram.

Maedeh Hojabri later confessed to "breaking moral norms" during a state TV video broadcast, according to The Independent, which activists speculated to be a forced appearance.

Following the teenager's arrest, several hashtags erupted online in protest of the country's decision. As a show of solidarity with Hojabri, numerous women began posting videos of themselves dancing under the hashtag "let us dance to support."