Iran's Cultural Revolution of 1980-1987
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The Cultural Revolution (1980-1987)(in Persian: انقلاب فرهنگي), also Islamic Cultural Revolution,[1] was a period following the 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran where the academia of Iran was purged of Western and non-Islamic influences to bring it line with Islam[2]. The official name used by the Islamic Republic is "Cultural Revolution."
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[edit] Imposing Islam
The universities were entirely shut down (1980-1982) with some violence. The exact number of executions has never been made public and remains a mystery.[2][3][4]
The main theme of the movement was to purify the Universities and education system from foreign influences. In his original letter, Ayatollah Khomeini wrote: Set yourselves free from any " –ism" and " –ist" belonging to the East and the West. Be self dependent and do not expect any help from the foreigners.[5]
After shutting down universities on 12 June 1980[6], Imam Khomeini issued a fatwa, stating
| “ | The need for Cultural Revolution which is an Islamic issue and demand of the Muslim nation has been recognized for sometimes but so far no effective effort has been made to respond to this need and the Muslim nation and the devoted and faithful students in particular are concerned and are worried of the machinations of plotters, which every now and then become evident and the Muslim nation are worried that God forbidden the opportunity is missed and no positive action is taken and the culture remains the same as the time of the corrupt regime which the acultured officials put these important centers under the disposal of colonialists. Continuation of this disaster which is unfortunately the objective of some the foreign oriented groups would deal a heavy blow to Islamic Revolution and Islamic Republic and any indifference towards this vital issue would be great treason against Islam and the Islamic country.[6] | „ |
The "Committee for Islamization of Universities"[6] carried out the task by ensuring an "Islamic atmosphere" for every subject from engineering to humanities[6]. When the institutions reopened, purges continued for five more years with special focus on "Islam’s enemies"[7]. Students were screened by committees and those found unfit were not allowed to continue their studies.[8]
Away from universities the Cultural Revolution affected some cultural and scientific figures who were publicly denounced, and Iranian radio and television, which broadcast only religious and official programs.[9]
[edit] Influence and sacrifices
The Cultural Revolution united theological schools of Qom with state universities and brought secular teachers to Qom for a time. This had the unexpected result of exposing many students in Qom to Western thought, so that it is possible to find "clerics and teachers of theology who know something of contemporary Western thought and philosophy."
Another aspect was that many teachers and technocrats left Iran to escape the Cultural Revolution. So while the revolution undoubtedly set back the machinations of plotters it has also been said to have "greatly weakened" Iran in the fields of "science and technology needed for development." [10]
[edit] Institutions of the Cultural Revolution
The Cultural Revolution Headquarters was established June 12, 1980 and charged by Ayatollah Khomeini with making sure the cultural policy of the universities was based on Islam, that professors selected were "efficient, committed and vigilant," and dealing with other issues relevant to the Islamic academic revolution. [11]
It was continued by the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council [12]in December 1984. It is described as "the highest body for making policies and decisions in connection with cultural, educational and research activities within the framework of the general policies of the system and considered its approvals indispensable." The body is not stipulated in the Constitution but "was formed under the special circumstances that were prevailing in the early stages of the revolution. The council took its legitimacy from the 9 December 1984 decree of the founder of the Islamic Republic."[13]
In fact, the group of seven (in 1980-83) and then 17 (in 1984) that was even expanded to 36 in 1999 was expected to compile all the cultural policies of the country.[2] Hojjatol-Islam Mohammad Khatami was appointed as a member of High Council for Cultural Revolution[14] in 1996[15] and in 1997 became its head. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became the head of the Council in 2005, succeeding Khatami; Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has oversight over the Council.
The Council has been active in fighting the student movement of 1983-1989 "banning many books and purging thousands of students and lecturers." The council controls the affairs of the university and its students through supervising the selection of applicants to the university and by controlling the formation of university institutions.[16]
Since 2001, the council has been active in demanding state control or government-imposed filtering of the internet to prevent the dissemination of blaspheme, insults to Iran's Supreme Leader, opposition to the constitution, the creation of "pessimism and hopelessness among the people regarding the legitimacy and effectiveness of the [Islamic] system", and similar vices. [17]
[edit] Personal freedoms
Mahmoud Ahamdinejad tried to ease compulsory hijab and lessen other restrictions[18] after assuming "presidency". However, his moves were rejected by Ali Khamenei[19]. Ahmadinejad later backtracked and stated that there were mis-understandings on his part about sharia.
[edit] Current work
The Cultural Council continues its work ensuring that the education and culture of Iran remains "100% Islamic" as Khomeini directed.
In 2006 there was talk of Universities "bracing" for "tighter state control over student bodies and faculties and perhaps even the second ‘Cultural Revolution'" [20] It has resulted in the dismissal or compulsory retirement of veteran university faculties and their replacement with younger professors espousing the fervor of the Islamic Republic.[21]
[edit] Members
The Cultural Council has 33 members[22], most of whom hold other government posts as well.
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[edit] See also
- Islamic Revolutionary Court deals with "treason against Islam" and other matters.
- Islamic conquest of Persia
Politics: Islamic Cultural Revolution · Islamic leadership
Books: Islamic Government
[edit] References and notes
- ^ This is used to avoid confusion with the unrelated Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) in mainland China.
- ^ a b "State-University Power Struggle at Times of Revolution and War in Iran"
- ^ According to http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/soe/cihe/newsletter/News36/text006.htm On 18 April 1980, "the gangs wounded hundreds of students and killed at least 24"
- ^ http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/Younus_Sheikh/IslamWoman3.htm "There were 5,195 political and religious executions only in 1983 alone!"
- ^ THE ANNIVERSARY OF ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION
- ^ a b c d http://www.iranculture.org/en/about/tarikh.php
- ^ Foundation anniversary of the Islamic Propagation Organization (I.O.P) by Khomeini's order Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
- ^ [http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=34793 "Students Brace for Second 'Cultural Revolution'" by Kimia Sanati ]
- ^ Keddie, Modern Iran (2003), p,290
- ^ Keddie, Modern Iran, (2003), p.290
- ^ Supreme Cultural Revolution Council GlobalSecurity.org]
- ^ [1]
- ^ Supreme Cultural Revolution Council GlobalSecurity.org
- ^ Another name for Supreme Cultural Revolution Council.
- ^ http://www.irib.ir/Ouriran/mashahir/siasi/khatami/html/en/president.htm
- ^ Supreme Cultural Revolution Council GlobalSecurity.org
- ^ Supreme Cultural Revolution Council GlobalSecurity.org
- ^ http://www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/printout/0,13155,1196395,00.html
- ^ http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/1C457E56-698F-4BF6-A19E-1FB3ADC9124E.htm
- ^ [http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=34793 Students Brace for Second 'Cultural Revolution' ]
- ^ Ahmadinejad seeks purge of liberal profsAP via Yahoo! News 5 September 2006 (Link dead as of 16 January 2007)
- ^ http://www.iranculture.org/en/about/members.php
[edit] Further reading
- A Century of Revolution: Social Movements in Iran ISBN 9780816624874
[edit] External links
- Supreme Cultural Revolution Council
- Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution, in a Lecture in Demark: Christian Morality Dissolved in the Acid of Capitalism and Secularism
- Supreme Council for Cultural Revolution: We Are Stronger Than America and the West
- Ayatollah Khamenei’s responses the president & the chairman of SCCR to the questions posed by experts of public relation department of the SCCR in June, 1985.
