Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Pages: 311-344

Journal: Journal of Religious and Cultural Studies

Volume number: 72

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 0044-3441

Publisher: Brill Academic Publishers

Abstract: 
The Bahai Faith originated in 19th century Iran. Since the early days of its inception and up until today, in Iran the followers of the faith have been subject to persecution, carried out under diffferent pretexts. A study of polemical anti-Bahai writings demonstrates that the accusations against Bahais evolved and in fact changed over time. The portrayal of the Bahais as "enemies" was reshaped and adapted time and again to current needs and ideological agendas. Anti-Bahaism, it is argued in this paper, is part of the contemporary political discourse and mirrors the diffferent stages of political developments in Iran over the past one and a half centuries. Anti-Bahai polemics, while in general wholly unreliable as a source for Bahai doctrine and history, serve as a vivid example for mechanisms employed in the "othering" of minority groups and the preparation for their physical persecution.

Harvard Citation style: Eschraghi, A. (2020) The "Bahai Enemy Image" in the Change of political Situation in Iran, Journal of Religious and Cultural Studies, 72(3), pp. 311-344

APA Citation style: Eschraghi, A. (2020). The "Bahai Enemy Image" in the Change of political Situation in Iran. Journal of Religious and Cultural Studies. 72(3), 311-344.