The “Political Functions” of “Pilgrimage” in Shiite Political Culture

In this paper, the political functions of pilgrimage in Shiite political culture at both national and international levels are studied. It is attempting to answer the question of what are the political functions of pilgrimage in Shiite political culture and how do they affect the political arena at national and international levels? The article is inspired by Durkheim's theory of the impact of social rituals on solidarity, theoretical literature on political socialization, as well as on the political effects of the religious and spiritual. However, the paper does not emphasize these theories as the theoretical framework of the article, because they are shaped in contexts that have little to do with Iranian society. Therefore, relying on them can lead to misleading results in scientific research in relation to Iranian society. At the national level, the functions of political socialization, the development of personal and social identity, political stability and the strengthening of national solidarity have been examined as political functions of pilgrimage. Strengthening solidarity among nations, expanding intergovernmental relations, strengthening regional political discourses, Political and Media Streaming, and enhancing cultural deterrence capabilities have also been described as political functions of pilgrimage to the international arena. The research method used in this study is a qualitative method of documentary analysis and the results show that the role of pilgrimage in Shiite political culture is not only in the field of rituals and has a great influence in the political field

Messages of “Arba'een Walking” as “Media”

Arba’een Walking is the most unrivaled assembly in the world that can be considered as a Shiite religious symbol. Arba’een Walking has numerous political, cultural and social implications, and today the media function of this movement has continued to have a huge and widespread impact over the centuries since Ashura. This article seeks to answer the key question, "What are the messages of Arba’een Walking as a media outlet?" In this regard, the qualitative method of document analysis was used, and the data have been collected from different sources. According to the findings of the study, the most important political message of the Arba’een Walking is the "unity of the Islamic Ummah". Love for freedom and fighting arrogance as well as maneuvering authority are other political messages of Arba'een. Also, reinforcing the thoughts and affection of the Ahlul-Bayt, the deep connection with Hussein's sayings, as well as the strengthening and promotion of the culture of self-sacrifice are some of Arba'een cultural messages. Order and solidarity, the possibility of transnational solidarity and convergence, transcendental and group solidarity as well as the manifestation of social capital can be defined in the form of Arba'een social messages

A Review of the Turnaround in Iranian Foreign Policy during President Hassan Rohani's Administration

The transition of power in the Islamic Republic of Iran is not only a change of guards in the different political and executive institutions during each electoral cycle but it also radically redefines the fundamental aspects of self-identity and the very definition of national interests and priorities and even how they should be defined. Upon the assumption of power by President Hassan Rohani in Iran, foreign policy of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been exposed to tremendous developments. Prevalence of conservatism over revolutionary mindset, nationalism over trans-nationalism, and structuralism over agent-oriented trends are considered as the three main pillars of these developments. In Rohani’s administration there is no longer any trace of the revolutionary behavior of Ahmadinejad’s era. This turnaround in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy is not a new phenomenon. We have witnessed such a shift in Iranian foreign policy after the end of the 8-year war with Iraq, albeit with different dimensions. An assessment of this issue would greatly enhance our understanding of the country’s foreign policy. Accordingly, assessment of the real roots of these foreign policy shifts is the main objective of the present article. Evidently, the shift in foreign policy, more than anything else can be attributed to changes in the definition of the concept of national interests, and how each administration defines such national and transnational interests. Any shift or transformation in this concept, as the guiding principal of foreign policy, creates a context for the shift in the national priorities, orientations, and strategies in its interaction with its external environment. By highlighting the three concepts of “circulation of elites”, “perception towards national identity”, and “structural developments”, the present article endeavors to review the causes of differing understandings of the concept of national interests in a specific period of the I.R. of Iran’s foreign policy