Lecture Description
During the lecture, many topics will be raised, such as: geographical map, languages, religions in general and in particular the official religion in Iran, and more. In addition, a review of significant historical events and their influence on shaping Iranian society will be conducted, such as: the emergence of Islam in Iran, the Islamic Revolution (1979), the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the Green Revolution (2009), the nuclear agreement and its cancellation. The lecture is accompanied by a presentation of photos and video clips that will help illustrate the path that Iran has traveled from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Lecture Content
Iran – the Middle Ages and the Modern Era
– In the 8th century, the country’s territories were conquered by the Muslim empire that came from the Arabian Peninsula. The Arab conquest greatly influenced the religious identity of Persia.
– In 1501, Persia regained its political independence and gradually became a vast empire. During this period, there was a massive process of religious conversion among most of Persia’s inhabitants.
Modern Iran – After the Revolution
– In the late 1970s, widespread religious and political opposition to the Shah’s rule began. The uprising led to the Shah’s ouster and the rise of Khomeini.
– In 1980-1988, the Iran-Iraq War took place, with no territorial gains for either side.
– In 1989, after the death of Ayatollah Khomeini, Ali Khamenei was elected his successor.
– In 2013, Hassan Rouhani was elected president. Rouhani was considered a moderate candidate and was supported and even managed to achieve the historic nuclear agreement with the powers, an agreement that was canceled by President Trump.
Answers to questions such as:
– What is the official religion of Iran? When and why was this religion chosen?
– Why and how did Islam appear in Iran?
– Why did most of Iran’s inhabitants convert to Shiite Islam during the Middle Ages? And what was the extent of this conversion’s impact?
– What caused the religious-political opposition to the Shah’s rule to flare up in the 1970s?
– What was the impact of Ruhollah Khomeini’s rule on Iran?
– Why did the Iran-Iraq War break out?
– What was the impact of the nuclear agreement and its abrogation on Iran?