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Iranian Revolution History 12 Ms Leslie What is Islam? Islam, the religion based on the teachings of Mohammed the most widespread of Asian religions, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia. Spread of Islam Mohammed born 560 AD in Mecca Wrote the Koran/Qur’an based on revelations from Allah Religion and way of life Evangelistic streak Islam is split With the murder of the thirst Caliph (successor to Mohammed), the prophet’s son-in-law, Ali became the leader in 656. He too was assassinated, in 661, and the Governor of Syria established himself as leader, instead of Ali’s descendents. Today, 90% of Muslims are Sunni (those who acknowledge succession from the Caliph), 10% are Shias (who follow the descendants of Ali). Shias form a majority only in Iran, but there are substantial Shia (or Shi’ite) minorities in other countries. More divisions racial and national divisions. Strong divisions separate Arabs and Persians (Iranians) or Syrians and Jordanians. Islam in the Modern world Complicated by decolonialization and industrialization Within many Muslim societies, people of different social classes seem to live in different eras; while middle class live modern lifestyles that are like in Vancouver, the rural poor live in conditions that have not changed since the middle ages. Western secular values have been assimilated by well-off city-dwellers, It is with the poor Islamic fundamentalism is strongest Islam and Government Islamic principles guide the national laws Islam is a religion that does not separate belief from actions. It is not legal for Muslims to charge interest on loans. Some Muslim states have chosen to live under Sharia (Islamic religious) rather than secular law. examples In Saudi Arabia punishments for crimes remain as they were in the times of the prophet Mohammed. Thieves may have their right hand cut off for their crime. Adulterers may be stoned to death. In Pakistan, where Sharia Law has been introduced, a woman who brings an accusation of rape must have her claim substantiated by several male witnesses or she is automatically considered guilty of adultery. Iranian revolution WWII it was occupied by the UK and USSR due to their need for oil. The Shah at the time was forced to abdicate and his son, Resa took over. The UK and USSR left in 1946. Iran became independent in 1948. During the 60’s the Shah reigned. He leaned towards western thought and made unpopular reforms which forced him to rule by decree to implement. His land reforms, although popular with the peasants, were seen as un-Islamic Corrupt and brutal In 1964 the shah exiled an out spoken opponent, Ayatollah Khomeini, (leader for the Shiites) to Paris until his return in 1979. Died 1989 Iran in the 1970’s Seemed to prosper due to oil became a major political and military force in the Gulf region as the Shah spent increasing amounts on armaments – becoming the ‘policeman’ of the Gulf with the blessing of the USA. Lots of foreign workers But… Shah was well off, civilians weren’t 99% of country is Muslim - don’t like the secularization of country. Religious leaders called for Islamic Laws = ignored Shah lost support of Middle Class By 1975 the Shah created his secret police, SAVAK, to repress the people. The brutality of SAVAK alienated many who sought wider political freedoms. Only one political party - Rastakhiz Everyone had to join and pay dues Tension with the West Iranian nationalists resented the Shah’s apparent willingness to serve American Interests. Resentment of America’s part in the overthrow of Mohammad Mosaddeq in 1953 and of the monarchy’s debt of gratitude toward the US remained. Thus, the Shah and his supporters became increasingly isolated, facing lots of opposition 1978 - things get ugly January, religious dissenters were fired upon in the important religious city of Qom. February riots occurred in Tabriz and small towns. May the Universities were closed and protests and strikes in the Teheran bazaar became commonplace. By summer there was a wave of violent attacks by Muslim extremists on government property and places of entertainment. late 1978, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, became the symbol of religious opposition to the Shah. The clerics refused to compromise with the government, calling for a return to Islamic principles and an end to westernization of Iran. September 8, 100-200 demonstrators were gunned down by security forces. Clashes between demonstrators and police became increasingly violent. By November the armed forces were needed to back up the police. Soon the country was placed under military rule. The country’s economy was collapsing as little productive work could be done in an atmosphere of perpetual strikes and protests. The Shah acknowledged that he was unable to impose his will on the country in early 1979, and makes Shahpur Bakhtiar the last PM of Iran Khomeini labels him the enemy Assassinated in Exile in Paris in 1991 January 16 the Shah left the country, after urging the military to remain loyal to the new regime. The Shah said he was going on ‘holiday’. He never returned and died in 1980. The first phase of the revolution was now complete. Ayatollah Khomeini, made a triumphant return to Teheran on February 1. Khomeini called for the establishment of an Islamic Republic, but Bakhtiar tried to hold onto existing constitutional government. Soon Bakhtiar was forced out of office, into hiding and ultimately in to exile Khomeini withdrew Iran from CENTO (central treaty organization) and held the staff of the American embassy hostage for over a year. There was a complete lack of cooperation between Army and Air Force. civilians and Islamic guerillas overran the major Tehran Army bases = Army morale completely broke down. Guerillas and the Muslim militias, now well armed, controlled the city streets. March 30-31 referendum decided on the adoption of an Islamic Republic resulted in adoption of a new constitution. A president and representative assembly were to be elected by universal suffrage, but they had little power. A council of guardians, composed of clerics were to oversee the passage of all legislation, while final decision making rested in a Faqih – the leading theologian in the country Khomeini Purges Hundreds were executed by the revolutionary authorities. Revolts broke out in minority areas, with Turkomen and Kurdish groups (Largely Suuni) opposing Khomeini’s forces. Though some prominent clerics were assassinated and others injured, the Shia religious authorities increasingly made their authority felt. Iran’s new Foreign Policy anti-American and anti-Soviet. Supported Shi’ite minorities in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Gulf States and Lebanon. Religion rather than political ideology came to underpin Iranian Foreign policy. Fortunately for Iran’s largely Sunni neighbours, Iran’s military might was largely sapped by the revolution. Its armed forced were rendered ineffective for offensive operations Domestic situation Many middle class Iranians fled the country Anti-Khomeini sabotage was also a problem. The government took over most large enterprises, starting with private banks, then insurance companies, and finally, all major companies. Foreign enterprises withdraw their capital and their expertise as conditioned worsened. Newspapers shut down With the taking of American hostages by revolutionary students after the storming of the American embassy, the USA froze Iranian assets in that country. Iraq-Iran War September 1980, seeking to take advantage of Iran’s weakness, Iraq sent it troops into Kurdistan and Khuzestan though no declaration of war was issued. Iraqis hoped that their attack would encourage anti-Khomeini forces to rise, In fact the attack had the opposite result. Iranians now were united against a common enemy. Thus began a war that lasted until the late 1980’s. Domestically Khomeini and his mullah successors remained in control and religious principles continued to form the basis of society. Fundamentalism seemed to be widely accepted by the vast majority of Iranians. Effect on Women forced to observe Islamic dress code, barred from becoming judges beaches and sports were sex-segregated the marriage age for girls was reduced to 13 and married women were barred from attending regular schools. Inequality for women in inheritance and other areas of the civil code remain. Females caught by revolutionary officials in a mixed-sex situation can be subject to virginity tests Effect on economy Iran's economy has not thrived since the revolution. Dependence on petroleum exports is still strong. Per capita income fluctuates with the price of oil — reportedly falling at one point to 1/4 of what it was prior to the revolution Unemployment among Iran's population of young has steadily risen as job creation has failed to keep up, Effect on Religious Freedom Official Religion is Islam Recognizes Zoroastrian, Judaism, Christianity All others are persecuted – Baha'i If you abandon Islam – punishment = death Everyone must obey Islamic law Social Changes No drinking No pre-marital sex No Western Music or paraphernalia Gender segregation of schools Curfews Religious plice Iran now Current leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Developing nukes Human rights violations Holocaust denier 2009 - ‘won’ election = now there are massive protests and Iran seems on the verge of another revolution