When addressing Israel, Mr. Iran's rhetoric is unmistakable. The former president Ahmadinejad has allegedly called for Israel to be wiped off the map, and he has publicly expressed his doubts whether there has ever been a Holocaust. Although his rhetoric may appear extreme, it nevertheless broadly reflects the official policy of Iran towards Israel since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Given this hostility, it comes as a surprise, that the Islamic Republic of Iran is actually home of the biggest Jewish community in the Middle East outside Israel. The estimates for the number of Jews living in Iran differ greatly according to various sources and range from 25,000 members to 35,000. The history of the Jewish community in Iran reaches back into the 7th century BCE, making it the oldest Jewish Diaspora-community. Many places holy to Jews are located in Iran. The history of almost 3,000 years of Jewish presence in Iran and the influence the Jewish community had at different times on Iranian society and culture are far too complex to be retold in a short essay like the one I am presenting. Before I turn to the situation after the Revolution of 1979 I will therefore only shortly touch on two major historical events which have significantly altered the position of the Jewish community in Iran: The establishment of Twelver Shiism as state religion in 1501 by the Safavids and the Constitutional Revolution of 1905-1911.
The main body of this text deals with the situation of the Jewish community during and immediately after the constitution of the Islamic Republic until the present.
The Iranian constitution grants all officially recognised religious minorities (Armenian Christians, Assyrians, Jews and Zoroastrians) specific rights including that to practise their religion freely. The recognised religious minorities elect their own representatives to the parliament (Majles), run their own schools and are protected against discrimination by the law. However, there have been instances of 'spontaneous' attacks on Jews, their property and their schools. I will also research how much Iran's animosity towards Israel was and is being reflected in its treatment of the Jewish minority in Iran. Because of the relative scarcity of primary sources, I will use a variety of secondary sources of varying quality and will therefore specifically indicate if I am concerned with the reliability of a source I have used.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Past
- The Revolution of 1979 and its aftermath
- The Present
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to examine the situation of the Jewish community in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It explores the community's history, its legal status under the Iranian constitution, and the impact of Iran's hostility towards Israel on the treatment of Iranian Jews.
- The historical context of the Jewish community in Iran.
- The legal rights and protections afforded to Jewish Iranians under the constitution.
- Instances of discrimination and persecution faced by the Jewish community.
- The relationship between Iran's foreign policy towards Israel and its domestic treatment of its Jewish minority.
- Analysis of available sources and their reliability.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage by highlighting the paradox of Iran, a nation openly hostile towards Israel, yet home to the largest Jewish community in the Middle East outside of Israel. It briefly touches upon the vast history of Iranian Jewry, spanning nearly 3,000 years, acknowledging the complexity of this history and the limitations of a concise overview. The introduction lays out the text's primary focus: the situation of the Jewish community in Iran since the 1979 revolution, emphasizing the use of various sources and acknowledging potential reliability issues due to source scarcity. The author promises to explore the interplay between Iranian hostility toward Israel and the treatment of its Jewish minority within the country's borders.
The Past: This chapter delves into the long history of Jewish presence in Iran, tracing its origins back to the Assyrian deportations of the 8th century BCE. It highlights periods of relative harmony and integration, particularly under the Achaemenian Empire, where Jews enjoyed freedom of religion, movement, and occupation. The chapter then examines the shift in the Jewish community's status following the Islamic conquest, their designation as "People of the Book," and the subsequent impact of the Safavid establishment of Twelver Shiism in 1501. The introduction of the concept of *nejasat* (pollution) in Shiism is discussed, explaining its role in increasing segregation between Muslims and religious minorities and the decline in interfaith marriages. The chapter concludes by summarizing periods of persecution and hardship faced by Iranian Jews throughout the 19th century, particularly during the Qajar Shahs' reign, suggesting the potential influence of Shiism on this persecution.
Keywords
Iranian Jews, Islamic Revolution, 1979, religious minorities, discrimination, Israel, Shiism, nejasat, Ahl al-Kitab, human rights, religious freedom, historical context, political relations.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Study of Iranian Jews Since the 1979 Revolution
What is the main focus of this text?
This text examines the situation of the Iranian Jewish community since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It explores their history, legal status under the Iranian constitution, and how Iran's hostility towards Israel affects their treatment.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
Key themes include the historical context of Iranian Jewry, their legal rights and protections (or lack thereof), instances of discrimination and persecution, the relationship between Iran's foreign policy towards Israel and its domestic treatment of its Jewish minority, and a critical analysis of the available sources and their reliability.
What historical periods are covered?
The text covers a vast historical period, tracing the history of Iranian Jews from the Assyrian deportations of the 8th century BCE to the present day, with a particular focus on the period since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
What is the significance of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in the context of Iranian Jews?
The 1979 revolution marks a pivotal point in the history of Iranian Jews. The text analyzes its impact on the community's legal status, social standing, and experiences of discrimination and persecution.
What is the role of Shiism in shaping the experience of Iranian Jews?
The text discusses the role of Shiism, particularly the concept of *nejasat* (pollution), in influencing the degree of segregation and discrimination faced by Iranian Jews throughout history. It suggests a potential link between the tenets of Shiism and periods of persecution.
What sources are used in this study, and what are the limitations?
The text utilizes a variety of sources to analyze the situation of Iranian Jews. However, it acknowledges potential limitations and reliability issues due to the scarcity of certain types of sources.
What is the paradox highlighted in the introduction?
The introduction highlights the paradox of Iran being openly hostile towards Israel while simultaneously hosting the largest Jewish community in the Middle East outside of Israel.
What are the chapter summaries included in this preview?
The preview includes summaries of an Introduction, a chapter on "The Past," and a chapter on the Revolution of 1979 and its aftermath. These summaries provide an overview of the historical context, the long-standing presence of Jews in Iran, and the significant changes brought about by the revolution.
What are the key words associated with this text?
Key words include: Iranian Jews, Islamic Revolution, 1979, religious minorities, discrimination, Israel, Shiism, nejasat, Ahl al-Kitab, human rights, religious freedom, historical context, and political relations.
What is the overall objective of this work?
The overall objective is to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the experiences of the Iranian Jewish community, particularly since the 1979 revolution, by examining their historical context, legal rights, and the challenges they face.
- Quote paper
- BA(Hons) Edgar Klüsener (Author), 2008, Jews in Iran since the revolution of 1979, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/93615
