An IASH Work-in-Progress seminar, delivered by Dr Mahnaz Zahirinejad (Alwaleed Research Fellow, 2025)
The Decline of Religiosity in Iran: Secularism and Pluralism
For centuries, Shia Islam has shaped the religiosity of Iran. However, in recent years, an increasing number of Iranians have favoured personalised and less institutionalised expressions of faith over traditional religious practices. Many are seeking to reduce the state's influence in religious matters, both publicly and privately. This shift is often seen as a decline in religiosity, raising important questions about the future direction of Iranian society. Is Iranian society moving towards secularism, with a diminishing role of religion in public life and a greater separation of state and religion? How can religious pluralism be defined within the context of Iranian society?
For a better understanding of the subject in an interdisciplinary context, this presentation will examine the development and influence of Shia Islam in Iran, from the establishment of the Safavid dynasty in 1501 to contemporary times. Its aim is to assess how the state, Shia clerics, and intellectuals have shaped the role and influence of Shia Islam and modernisation on Iranian society throughout this period.
The study will apply Peter L. Berger’s theories on the relationship between modernity and the decline of religiosity, within the frameworks of secularisation and pluralism. The objective is to evaluate the relevance of these theories in the Iranian context, potentially contributing to a deeper understanding of secularisation and pluralism in Iran as a Muslim society.
Please join in-person, or click the link below to join the webinar:
https://ed-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/83015772676
Passcode: b1QpaAD7