Religions in the Contemporary Iranian Society: Politics and Religious Status

The presentation discusses the religious situation and politics in the contemporary Iran, with an emphasis on the cultural character of religious minorities in Iranian society. The relationship between religion and politics is analyzed in a historical context. Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the role of religious leaders in the Iranian political system has been discussed with a focus on Iranian religious minorities. The presentation will cover the following three topics: the Iranian religious leaders' attitudes to politics and religious status, the status of religious minority, and the Islamic government's attempt to interact with religious minorities.