RG

IN CONTEXT

IDEOLOGY

Islamism

FOCUS

Islamic independence

BEFORE

1941 Soviet and British forces invade Iran to secure access to oil.

1962 Jalal Al-e-Ahmad publishes his book Occidentosis: A Plague from the West—a critique of Western civilization.

AFTER

1978 The Iranian Revolution brings Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to power.

1980 Encouraged by Western powers, Iraq invades Iran, starting an eight-year war and causing devastation on both sides.

2005 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad becomes president of Iran, taking a religious hard line and reversing previous reforms.

Influenced by Islamic puritanism, as well as Marxism and postcolonial thinkers, ranian philosopher Ali Shariati advocated Islamic thought and beliefs as pillars of Islamic society, while promoting independence from Western domination.

"There is no prophecy which is as advanced, powerful, and conscious as the prophecy of Muhammad."

Ali Shariati

Shariati sought to defend Islam from misconceptions. For him, these misunderstandings were largely the result of an unhealthy divide between the educated class and the masses in Iran. He distinguishes between intellectuals and enlightened people. The latter, he argues, do not require a university degree, but rather an awareness of traditions, religion, and the needs of the people.

Anti-intellectual

In their attempt to apply European models of development and modernity to Iran, intellectuals failed to recognize that conditions in Iran are different from those in Europe. Intellectuals failed to acknowledge the Islamic spirit that dominates and sustains Iranian culture, and often blame religion for a failure to acknowledge material concerns. The emancipation of Iran is only possible by recognizing the country’s Islamic roots and the creation of an egalitarian social system that adheres to religious norms. While the masses may need more self-awareness, intellectuals need more “faith.” Shariati’s views were not a rejection of modernity—to him, Islam was a fundamental tool for Iran to come to grips with the modern world.

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