Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, known as the Shah of Iran, ruled Iran from 1941 to 1979. As those who came before him, he continued a policy of westernization by moving away from traditional Islamic laws, and implementing policies which could be seen as going against Islam. Not all of Iran’s laws were based on religion. Women were discouraged from wearing a Hijab, and alcohol could be served (Hsu). Although Iran was still an Islamic country, there was definite secularism. The Shah’s regime believed they were rapidly moving towards a society full of human rights, rather than one focused on religion (Cottam 121). Not all Iranians were pleased to see the country become more similar to countries of the West such as the US.
The Shah’s rule was not an all that religious rule, but a one of power. Religion was not what life revolved around while he was in power. Come 1979, many opposed the way the Shah ruled and rioted. This became the Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the Shah’s regime. The movement was led by Ruhollah Khomeini, the grand ayatollah who was the leader of the Shiite Muslims in Iran. With a new leader came a new revived sense of religion. Khomeini made Iran an Islamic Republic (Hsu). The vast majority of western progressive policies that the Shah had created were now seen as contradictory with the Islam religion. No more alcohol or western music, and women were once again required to wear a Hijab (Hsu). These changes, although they may seem social, were really ones of religion. After the revolution, religion was the centerpiece of the country. Iran is technically called the Islamic Republic of Iran. Even the preamble of Iran’s constitution after the revolution begins with “The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran sets forth the cultural, social, political, and economic institutions of Iranian society on the basis of Islamic principles and norms” (Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran).
Clearly Iran’s main religion became more than just a part of society. Many laws are now based around Sharia, the Islamic law, and any new laws proposed must be compared to Sharia in order to see if it is in accordance (Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran). Islam, after the revolution, became the overarching element of life, which set the basis for life in Iran even up to this day.
Works cited
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Preamble
Cottam, Richard W. “The Human Rights Movement In Iran In Historical Context.” Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law, vol. 12, no. 1, 1980, pp. 121–136.
Hsu, Sabrina. “Life in Iran Before and After the Revolution: How Religion Redefined a Nation.” StMU History Media, 9 Dec. 2018, stmuhistorymedia.org/life-in-iran-before-and-after-the-revolution/.
Karimi, Nasser, and Jon Gambrell. “Torture Still Scars Iranians 40 Years after Revolution.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 6 Feb. 2019, apnews.com/article/072580b5f24b4f8ea2402221d530257e.
Thank you so much!
I actually knew that Iran was a well-developed country in the last century. To be honest, It looked just like the US on those days. All of a sudden, it became extremely religious and awfully violent. I know something happened but I don’t exactly what. I think your post answers my question perfectly. Thank you so much.
Hello, really great blog. It is interesting to know about Shah’s rule and it was the first time that I have heard the rule. I knew that Iran and many middle east countries are built based on religion. But I would like to learn about the implication of Shah’s rule on the society of Iran. Can you tell us more about this?
This is a really we thought out post. I think highlighting the religions background is something that is important in many stories. This is no exception. In the middle East religion plays a much larger role in government than in the United States or elsewhere in the world. I think by understanding the connection between government and religion we will be better suited to understand the background in Persepolis.
This is incredible work and information it allows me to see the details that made the conflict overall reach in all aspects. How it was caused because they were becoming more human free rights than the following the religion that they have been for decades. The way I see this would that it does bring a big problem to people who are deep in religion but with time it creates changes that would be almost impossible to revert back to how it once was because of different societies showing their change.
Hi there Scott, very insightful post. I have always had knowledge of how vital religion is in many middle eastern countries, such as Iran. From what I have gathered from Perseolpis, and your blog post, I have a greater understanding of how much religion is used in these countries as a sense of vast control and power. Through this, religion has become much less about traditions and beliefs, but more as a way of controlling others through violent acts if certain religious rules aren’t followed. I think it’s very important to note what religion has on the structure of Iran and how it affects the everyday life of the people.
Great job! I am so intrigued by all of this information and how it still stands. I think it is interesting how such a small thing was able to become a bigger part of their lives and be the common ground.
Good work! Thank you for this great article. I knew that religion is a big part in middle eastern countries. But I didn’t know that many people use it as weapon to control others’ lives. In Persepolis, It describes the change of a girl’s life style, and tells the life of ordinary Iranian people under the environment at that time. I hope that religions can bring people peace and love, or not violence.
Well done on the context presentation. I think it explored the significance of religion in Iran in an easy-to-follow timeline. I learned today that there was a time where Iran did not have as high of weight on religion, I just assumed that most of the time, religion had relatively heavy involvement in the eastern territories. It is astounding how one leader can make such an impact on so many people when given the power to do so.
This is a great input on the background of the political setting in the graphic novel. It is very insightful to notice the role religion plays within the rule of Iran. The impact that Shah’s rule has on society, especially women, is very apparent between the two different Shah’s. This helps to understand the strain put on Marji as she was growing up during these changes. Great job!
Great post! I find this topic so interesting. You laid out the timeline of how Iran has evolved over the years in a clear and efficient way. It is crazy how much religion has impacted Iran and the different ways that it has affected the country. Thanks!
The presentation is well articulated!
In my life, religion was always something that I put my belief in and something that I had the choice of following. In Iran, a place where almost all laws were crafted around religion, following a religion isn’t even a choice, it became a way of life. I wasn’t aware that Iran getting close to becoming westernized and a well-developed country with relaxed laws around religion. The single stories associated with the country definitely buried its past. Thank you for addressing and educating us on the reality of how Iran was, how it is now and what happened in between.
Thank you so much for the great presentation! This novel, and this presentation specifically, were a useful tool to get a less biased view of Iran. With how much has occurred since and even before 9/11, Americans have been spoon fed that the Middle East does not have much to offer. In reality, Iran is a religious hub for its country much less than Americans are used to experiencing. Your article adds to the message portrayed by Persepolis, and it is very insightful for those not knowledgeable about Iran.