Reading revolutionary Iran

More about the book

This book has a dual focus. The first half critiques the prejudices and misconceptions surrounding Islam and Iran, influenced by both neo-conservative hostility and pro-regime apologetics, as well as misleading post-modern methodologies. This critique is essential for clarifying the complex realities of the Islamic Republic and for highlighting the revolutionary clerics' perspectives, who serve as significant critics of Western civilization today. Their ideologies are best understood through a dialogue with Western viewpoints, which are often illuminated by their Islamist adversaries. Interestingly, the interactions between activist Shi'ite clerics and their Western counterparts reveal unexpected commonalities. The second half utilizes a wealth of rarely accessed primary sources, both ancient and contemporary, to explore the views of Muslim scholars currently leading Iran in various fields. Topics include the role of religion in society, the interplay between democracy and theocracy, and the Sunni-Shi'i divide. While the author provides context and analysis for these influential thinkers, the primary goal is to let their voices emerge clearly, allowing them to articulate their positions directly.