How Sahan Works: Built for Faith, Culture, and Privacy

Introduction

Welcome to Sahan — a modern, faith-centred matchmaking app designed for the Somali community.

In a world where most dating apps feel rushed and superficial, Sahan offers something different: a platform that honours your values, respects your privacy, and understands that finding your Calaf should feel safe, sincere, and meaningful.

Sahan isn't just an app — it's a community built on faith, culture, and dignity. Every feature, from our optional photo blur to selfie verification, is designed to protect your privacy while helping you connect with others who share your values and intentions.

Whether you're new to Sahan or just curious about how it works, this guide walks you through everything — from setting up your profile to chatting with verified matches — and shows why Sahan is unlike any other matchmaking experience.

Getting Started

Creating Your Account

Joining Sahan is simple, private, and secure. You can sign up using:

• Apple Sign-In (for iOS users)
• Google Sign-In (for all users)
• Email and Password (with a verification link)

All authentication is protected with industry-standard security, ensuring your details stay private from the moment you join.

Profile Setup

Once you've joined, you'll be guided through a short setup to create your profile — the part where you show who you are and what you value.

You can include:

• Basic Info: Username, age, and location
• Faith & Values: Your level of religious practice and what you're looking for
• Lifestyle Details: Education, profession, family goals, and interests
• Profile Photo & Gallery: Add a profile photo and gallery images that reflect you

🔒 Flexible Photo Privacy

Both profile photo and gallery photos have optional blur settings — you decide how visible your photos are to others.

Some users prefer to blur everything for extra privacy, while others keep photos visible. You're in full control.

Selfie Verification

To keep Sahan genuine and trustworthy, every user completes a quick selfie verification.

Here's how it works:

1. Take a Selfie — guided directly through the app
2. Real-Time Comparison — the system compares your selfie with your gallery photo to confirm authenticity
3. Privacy-First — verification photos are used only for trust checks and stored securely
4. Verified Badge — you'll receive a green badge showing your profile is authentic

✅ Note: You can use any photo as your main profile picture — as long as at least one photo of you is included in your gallery for verification purposes.

This process builds confidence in every match — everyone you meet on Sahan is a real, verified person.

Finding and Connecting

Browsing Profiles

Sahan helps you discover people who share your values and intentions. Each profile shows:

• Profile photos (blurred or visible — depending on user preference)
• Faith and lifestyle information
• Verification badge
• Age and location (approximate, not precise)

Our goal: less swiping, more meaning.

Likes, Matches, and Conversations

Sahan's matching system is designed for genuine, mutual interest:

• Like: Express interest in a profile
• Unlike: Change your mind at any time
• Match: When both users like each other, it becomes a match — and chat unlocks

Once you match:

• You'll both receive a match notification 🎉
• Your photos become fully visible to each other
• A private chat room opens instantly
• You can start messaging or move straight to a voice or video call — all safely within the app

Chat, Voice & Video Calls

Messaging

Our chat system helps you have meaningful conversations from the start:

• Real-time messages with read receipts
• Conversation prompts when both users complete Marriage Mindset Insights

Voice & Video Calls

Sahan's built-in calling system means you never have to share your phone number.

• Voice Calls — for private, comfortable conversations
• Video Calls — for face-to-face connection, when you're ready
• End-to-End Encryption — powered by secure, enterprise-grade technology
• In-App Ringing and Call Logs — all without leaving Sahan

By keeping calls within the app, your privacy remains intact — you control when and how you connect.

Privacy and Protection

Sahan's foundation is trust, modesty, and respect — principles deeply valued in Somali and Islamic culture.

Photo Privacy & Blur

• Optional Blur: You can choose whether your profile and gallery photos appear blurred or visible
• Before Matching: If blur is enabled, others will see blurred photos with a "Privacy Protected" indicator
• After Matching: Once two users mutually match, photos become visible to each other
• You Decide: You can toggle photo privacy anytime from your profile

This system protects modesty and gives full control to you — whether you want to remain private or show your face to potential matches.

Verification & Authenticity

Every user must verify with a selfie that's matched against at least one gallery photo.

This prevents fake accounts and keeps the community authentic — real people, real intentions.

Screenshot Protection

Sahan goes beyond simple warnings — the app actively protects your photos from screenshots.

On both iOS and Android, when someone attempts to take a screenshot, the screen is automatically blacked out, ensuring your private photos and information remain safe.

Combined with blurred images and match-only visibility, this gives you unmatched peace of mind knowing that your privacy truly stays yours.

Reporting, Blocking & Safety

You're never alone on Sahan:

• Instantly report inappropriate behaviour
• Block any user permanently
• A dedicated moderation team reviews all reports quickly
• Offenders may receive warnings, suspensions, or permanent bans

Your safety is our responsibility — and we take it seriously.

Marriage Mindset Insights

Our built-in Marriage Mindset Insights questionnaire helps you understand compatibility beyond the surface.

• 20 thoughtful questions on values, family, communication, and future goals
• View your match's responses once both complete at least half the quiz
• Perfect for sparking deep, intentional conversations

It's like a built-in pre-marital mindset guide — designed to encourage clarity and compatibility before commitment.

📰 Learn more about Marriage Mindset Insights on our blog: Understanding Sahan's Marriage Mindset Insights Questions

Built for Comfort and Confidence

Everything in Sahan reflects the values of modesty, respect, and family-centred connection.

• Modesty-First Design: No public browsing, no unwanted attention
• Private Communication: Chat and calls stay in-app — no phone numbers needed
• Faith-Centred Values: Built by Somalis, for Somalis — grounded in Islamic principles
• Language Support: Available in both English and Somali
• Cultural Sensitivity: Every feature is made with your dignity in mind

Free & Premium Options

Sahan offers both free and premium plans:

Free Tier

• Create and verify your profile
• Like profiles (with daily limits)
• View mutual matches
• Chat with confirmed matches

Premium Tier

• Unlimited likes
• Full visibility on who liked you
• Voice and video calls
• Advanced filters
• Priority support

Whether you use the free or premium version, your privacy features remain the same — you're always protected.

Final Thoughts

Sahan is more than a matchmaking app — it's a movement built on faith, culture, and trust.

From optional photo blur to verified profiles, from voice/video calls to screenshot protection, every part of Sahan was built to give you confidence and peace of mind.

• You decide who sees you
• You decide when to connect
• You decide how your story unfolds

So when you're ready to find your Calaf — the one written for you — know that Sahan was built to protect you, guide you, and honour who you are.

Download Sahan today and start your journey with faith, culture, and privacy at heart.

Your story starts here.

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Sahan — Where Faith Meets Connection.

Download for iOS | Download for Android