A shift in Shia discourse: Political necessities and Sectarian dynamics

Baradaran Amini, Sahar

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124595 Copy

Description

Title

A shift in Shia discourse: Political necessities and Sectarian dynamics

Author(s)

Baradaran Amini, Sahar

Issue Date

2024-05-03

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

H. Ali, Mukhtar

Committee Member(s)

• Hussein Moustafa, Laila
• Kashani, Maryam

Department of Study

Ctr S. Asian & MidEast Studies

Discipline

S Asian & Middle Eastern St

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.A.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

Shia discourse, Shiism, Sect, Sectarianism, Middle East, Iran, Extremism, Sectarian conflict, Shia-Sunni divide. Shia Rituals, Sectarianization

Abstract

This thesis aims to show how political necessities in the Middle East have instigated a shift in contemporary Twelver Shia discourse. The study relies mainly on evidence from the region, focusing on the Islamic Republic of Iran. As a participant observer, I approach the phenomenon with a nuanced understanding of its emergence within a complex social system. I use discourse analysis to examine different aspects of the recent rise of a sectarian and divisive version of Shia doctrine that is gradually becoming the dominant discourse among the mainstream Shia in the Middle East and diaspora. While scholars and analysts have aptly underscored political factors over religious causes in current sectarian conflicts, there remains an unexplored dimension: the influence of the political power struggle on shaping religious sectarian identity in unprecedented ways. According to Hashemi and Postel (2017), Sectarianization is a purposeful tactic utilized by political actors such as authoritarian regimes in specific settings to promote their agendas by leveraging public emotions associated with particular religious identities. Adversaries also employ sectarianization to undermine each other's political power. This descriptive study illustrates how taking advantage of the provoked emotions of Shia believers through religious rituals for political purposes has caused a transformation in the religious discourse within mainstream Shia communities with the potential to breed hatred and violence. Apart from geopolitical concerns, several other factors have contributed to the rise of extreme Shiism. The advancement of technology and the widespread use of social media, for example, have played significant roles in propagating this narrative. Despite this gradual transformation unfolding over a decade, its noticeable indicators are not apparent to outsiders or those who do not regularly interact with the general religious population, mainly because the changes have predominantly influenced religious beliefs, convictions, and rituals. However, promoting Shia extremism may exacerbate sectarian conflicts, as we have witnessed in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and recently, Iran. In the Middle East, people are already grappling with challenging political, socioeconomic, and environmental issues. The impending consequences of sectarian conflicts threaten to aggravate the situation for all. Investigating this issue can offer researchers and policymakers a more comprehensive view of present and potential future tensions in that region, enhancing their ability to address the underlying complexities.

Graduation Semester

2024-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2024 Sahar Baradaran Amini

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