Pahlavi Secularization؛ From the Dream of Renewal to the Consolidation of Authoritarianism.

Ahmadi, Zahra; Ahangaran, Mohammad Rasoul; Rezaei, Hossein

Pahlavi Secularization؛ From the Dream of Renewal to the Consolidation of Authoritarianism.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

zahra ahmadi ¹

mohammad rasoul ahangaran ²

hossein rezaei ³

¹ sbu

² ut

³ pnu

Abstract

Secularization in Iran, including policies under the shadow of modernity, became a primary concern of Reza Shah and was placed on the agenda of the Pahlavi government. Actions such as reducing the power of clergy, eliminating religious symbols, unveiling compulsory hijab, establishing a modern legal and judicial system, creating new institutions, transforming the educational system, etc., all aimed at eliminating the role of religious institutions in Iranian society. However, the question arises whether these actions were taken with the aim of secularizing Iranian society or consolidating authoritarianism. A secular government does not seek to eliminate religion or favor a particular religion but rather ensures religious freedom by maintaining neutrality. The animosity of Reza Shah towards religious institutions and symbols aimed at eliminating the power of rivals indicates that secularism in this era was a tool in the hands of an absolute government to achieve consolidation of power, despotism, and its desired ideology. Studying Iranian secularism and its formation process, Reza Shah's policies in realizing the secularization project, and the impact and position of Shia thought in Iranian society will be crucial in examining the reasons for the failure of First Pahlavi's dream of secularization in Iran.

Keywords

Secularism

Pahlavi I

religion

Reza Shah

secularization

Subjects

Topics related to the Islamic Revolution

Ajdani, Lotfollah (2019). Iranian Intellectuals in the Constitutional Era. Tehran: Akhtaran Publishing.
Ajdani, Lotfollah (2011). Scholars and the Constitutional Revolution of Iran. Tehran: Akhtaran Publishing.
Adami, Fereydoun (1972). The Thought of Progress and the Rule of Law (Era of the Sepahsalar), Tehran: Kharazmi Publishing.
Abrahamian, Yeravand (1989). Iran Between Two Revolutions. Translated by Ahmad Golmohammadi, Mohammad Ebrahim Fattahi. Tehran: Ney.
Abrahamian, Yeravand (2015). People in Iranian Politics, Translated by Behrang Rajabi, Tehran: Cheshme Publishing.
Argoon, Mohammad (2019). Secularism and Religion, Translated by Keyvan Mahdi and Bayan Rastgou, Tehran: Negah Moasar Publishing.
Elgar, Hamed (2017). Religion and State in Iran, Translated by Abolghasem Sari, Mashhad: Toos Publishing.
Ansari, Houshang (1978). Research on the Life of Reza Shah the Great, Tehran: Center for Research and Publication of Political Culture of the Pahlavi Era.
Ansari, A. Filali (2012). Islam and Secularism, translated by Amir Rezaei, Tehran: Qaseedh Sara Publishing.
Bruce, Steve (2008). Western Secularization Model, translated by Mohammad Masoud Saeedi, Tehran: Gam No Publishing.
Bashirieh, Hossein (2018). Social Contexts of the Iranian Revolution, translated by Ali Ardestani, Tehran: Negah Moasar Publishing.
Pakravan, Amineh (2008). Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, translated by Jahangir Afkari, Tehran: Jami Publishing.
Taghavi, Mohammad Naser (2008). Sociology of Westernization, Tehran: Amir Kabir Publishing.
Jafarian, Rasoul (2007). The Story of the Hijab in Iran Before the Revolution, Tehran: Islamic Revolution Documents Center Publishing.
A Group of Orientalists (2000). History of Iran from Ancient Times to Today, translated by Kaykhosro Keshavarzi, Tehran: Pushil Publishing.
Hakim Elahi, Nosratollah (1971). On the Path to a Great Civilization, Tehran: Iqbal Press.
Rahimi Kalarijani, Ahmad Reza (2009). Intellectual Discourse and Its Role in the Formation of the Absolute State of Reza Shah Pahlavi, Master's Thesis, University of Tehran.
Rouhani, Fakhr (1991). The Levers of the Fall of the Shah, Tehran: Baligh Publishing House.
Salami, Gholamreza (1971). Iranian Press Documents, Tehran: Iranian National Documents Organization Publications.
Soroush, Abdolkarim (2002). Tradition and Secularism (Speeches by Abdolkarim Soroush and Others), Tehran: Sirat Cultural Institute.
Shakrin, Hamidreza (2008). Secularism, Tehran: Young Thought Center.
Shojiei, Zahra (1965). Representatives of the National Assembly, Tehran: Institute for Social Studies and Research.
Sharabi, Hisham. Intellectuals of Islam and the West, translated by Abdolrahman Alam, Tehran: Foreign Ministry Studies Office.
Safaei, Ebrahim (1979). Reza Shah the Great and the Cultural Developments of Iran, Tehran: Ministry of Culture and Art Publications.
Salah, Mehdi (2005). Unveiling the Hijab: Backgrounds, Consequences and Reactions, Tehran: Institute of Political Studies and Research.
Enayat, Hamid (1982). A Journey through Contemporary Western Political Thought, Tehran: Kharazmi Publications.
Enayat, Hamid (1982). Political Thought in Contemporary Islam, translated by Baha'al-Din Khorramshahi, Tehran: Kharazmi Publications.
Abdolrahim, Zakir Hossein (1989). Political Press in the Constitutional Era, Tehran: Tehran University Press.
Foladvand, Ezzat-Allah (2009). Stages, Factors and Obstacles to Political Growth, Tehran: Mahi Publications.
Kasravi, Ahmad (1992). My Life (Ten Years of Living in Justice), Tehran: Foundation Publications.
Motahari, Morteza (1987). Islamic Movements in the Last Hundred Years, Tehran: Sadra Publications.
Madani, Seyyed Jalal al-Din (Bita). Contemporary Political History of Iran, Qom: Islamic Publication Office.
Musawar Rahmani (1987). Gholamreza. Old Soldier, Volume 1, Tehran: Rasa Publication.
Mokhbar, Abbas (1992). The Pahlavi Dynasty According to Cambridge, Tehran: Tarh-e-No Publication.
Mir, Iraj (2010). The Relationship of Religion and Politics, Tehran: Nay Publication.
Naem, Nima. Yaghoubzadeh, Omid (2017). Obstacles to Iran's Development, Pardis: Naqid Farhang Publication.
Naraghi, Molla Ahmad (Bita). The Returns of the Day, Qom: Basitari Publication.
Norouzi, Mohammad Javad (2004). The Challenge of Religious and Secular Thought in the Age of Reza Shah, Marefat Monthly, Year 13, Issue 4.