Looking at their Western outfits, you may think that they are somewhere from Europe or America. However those are actually photos of the people in Iran. Why do they look so different from what we imagine Iranians to be? (You will probably be thinking about Ladan and Laleh (1974-2003), the Siamese twins)
Iran is also known as Persia in the past. Persian Empire was once the largest empire in the ancient world from 550 – 330 BC. It plays a significant role in history (as you might have come across the term ‘Persian’ in many historical texts) and is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, dating back to 7000 BC.
In the early 1900s, a constitutional monarchy was established and the monarch was known as the Shah. Industrialization began and national education system started to set up. After World War II, the Shah’s rule became more autocratic (government and political power held by a single ruler), as all political opposition was greatly oppressed and crushed through intelligence agencies. But thanks to American support, the Shah was able to rapidly modernize Iranian infrastructure, transforming the society to what you see in the photos –highly Westernized. Iran and US were good friends then.
In 1979, a significant event changed the fate of Iranians. The Iranian Revolution (also known as Islamic Revolution) triggered off with strikes and demonstrations against the Shah regime. This was a conservative backlash against the Westernizing and secularization (becoming detached from religion) of Iranian society. This is said to be the ‘third great revolution in history’ and showed the prowess of Islamic Fundamentalism. It was unique for a revolution as it was not fueled by any crisis like war and economic recession, and it resulted in enormous changes within a short span of time.
After a national referendum, Iran officially became a Islamic Republic, and the charismatic religious leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini became the country’s Supreme Leader. Opponents of the revolution were repressed and dealt severely. The Islamic Republic sought to end Western influences, capitalism and social inequality in the Middle East. The revolution improved the society in terms of welfare and education to the poor, spread of Islam ideologies, but did not succeed in greater political freedom, economic equality and government efficiency. Dissatisfaction towards the new rule was still widespread.
Religious minorities were heavily discriminated and not tolerated in Iran, as they were stripped off job and education opportunities, or even imprisoned. However the impact on women seemed to be the greatest. Females were barred from becoming judges, public places and sports were strictly sex-segregated, the marriage age for girls was reduced to 13 and married women were barred from attending regular schools. The situation has improved gradually though. The civil code contained the term “Bad hijab", which states that exposure of any part of the female body other than hands and face, is subjected to punishment of up to 70 lashes or 60 days imprisonment.
This is Shah Reza who ruled Iran before 1979:
This is Ayatollah Khomeini who ruled after the revolution:
This is the Iranian society after 1979:
Big contrast isn’t it? It is hard to imagine that conservative religious power would be able to overcome Westernization in this modern world. What do you think will happen if such revolution were to occur in Singapore? Will we still be able to enjoy the ‘benefits’ from Westernization?
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