Religious Research

Religious Research

The Nature of Interaction with "Religious Minorities" in the Islamic Republic of Iran: A Survey Study

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Zahra Rashidbeygi 1
Ahmad Reza Meftah 2
Rasoul Rasoulipour 3
1 PhD Candidate in Comparative Religious Studies, Christian Theology Orientation, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Abrahamic Religions, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/jrr.2025.484517.2232
Abstract
Today, the issue of "constructive interaction between minority and majority" is a concern of the international community, and in Iran, the coexistence of followers of different religions has always had its ups and downs. This research was organized with the aim of investigating the nature of interaction with religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this study, considering the valuable presence of followers of divine religions in Iran, an effort was made to identify the existing challenges in the social, cultural, religious, and political spheres for achieving optimal interaction between the majority and religious minorities and to provide solutions for resolving them. To achieve this goal, the research was conducted with a qualitative approach and content analysis method. The data collection tool was interviews, and the sample population included 26 experts from various religions in the Islamic Republic of Iran (Muslim, Zoroastrian, Christian, and Jewish). The research findings indicated that although the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran have provided significant capacities and possibilities for religious minorities and are expanding, achieving optimal interaction with religious minorities requires prerequisites and elements that demand a deep, expert, and different perspective. These factors were categorized in the present research into four sections: legal and juridical factors, cultural factors, social factors, and religious factors. Based on the research findings, optimal interaction with these groups can be achieved through strategies such as: "guaranteeing religious rights in laws and policies, accepting religious diversity in the social structure, strengthening interfaith dialogue and religious cooperation, supporting the participation of religious minorities in public and political spheres, guaranteeing their security and justice, and promoting awareness and education about minority rights."


The findings of the study indicated that although the laws of the country and the facilities and capacities of religious minorities in Iran are quite considerable and are progressing, prudent interaction with religious minorities calls for certain requirements and elements without which the desired result cannot be achieved. These factors can be categorized into 4 groups: legal factors, cultural factors, social factors, and religious factors. Furthermore, the findings of the study indicate that by strengthening mutual understanding and respect and removing certain barriers through interreligious dialogue, it would be possible to achieve a desirable level of interaction among these religious communities.
Keywords
religious minorities, interfaith dialogue, interaction, peaceful coexistence, citizenship rights
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