Changing Socio-Religious Paradigms of Iran: (1925-2012)

Abstract:
The socio-religious expression of Iran until the establishment of constitutional
revolution (Majles), lead by nationalists, in 1907 was absolute monarchy. After the
internal disintegration and foreign intervention during the Constitutional era and
World War I, it was believed that only a strong military leader could ensure the
unity and stability of the country. As a result, in 1925 Reza shah was proclaimed as
the king of Iran. Raza Shahs authoritarian secularism changed the shape of
countrys social, religious, political and economic formation. His reforms laid the
foundation of a secular state and nurtured a new class of secularurban middle
class society. Raza shahs secularization of politics, education and judiciary and
importation of European administrative, family, civil, criminal and commercial
codes changed the socio-religious fabric of Iran. During his reign, the new
generation by and large considered Islam as an alien faith and every possible effort
was made to bypass the centuries old legacy of Islamic civilization. His son
Muhammad Raza shah continued the process of modernizing the socio-religious
life of Iran, a mission initiated by his father. He is known for his so called white
revolution, an aggressive campaign of social and economic Westernization, which
was met with intense popular opposition. In order to check and denounce the
pressure of modernism, the religious sect of Iran along with the peasants, youth
and women, under the charismatic leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini lead a revolt
against Pahlavi regime which finally resulted in the 1979 revolution. Khomeini
succeeded in his major objectives of overthrowing the government and extirpating
the foreign influence from Iran with the codification of a new Islamic order and
also in coding a new Islamic order. In last two decades many profound changes
were brought by the newly formed state. The issues like women empowerment,
family structure, framework of the Madrasa education and economic set up of the
country received serious consideration and many changes were brought thereof.
Healthy space was provided to women in politics which was definitely an upper
move from old paradigm. In making of sound and stable Iranian family structure,
use of contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices and even sterilization was allowed
and made legal. In order to produce a new generation of clergy, well versed in
politics, economics and other contemporary sciences, many changes were brought

in the centuries old madrasa curriculum. Marked changes are as such visible not
only in social sphere but also in religious context as well.