Dr Mahnaz Zahirinejad
Alwaleed Research Fellow, February - May 2025
Home Institution: Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, Polish Academy of Sciences
Mahnaz Zahirinejad is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, Polish Academy of Sciences. She holds a PhD in International Relations, with a research focus on the socio-political and economic development of Middle Eastern countries, particularly Iran. Her expertise lies in the socio-political roles of the middle class and its interactions with the state in Iran. Mahnaz has been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the University of Warsaw and the A.SK Social Science Award from the WZB Berlin Social Science Centre.
Project title: The Decline of Religiosity in Iran: Secularism and Pluralism
For centuries, Shia Islam has shaped religiosity in Iran. However, in recent years, many Iranians have increasingly favoured personalised and less institutionalised expressions of faith over traditional religious practices. A growing number of individuals are seeking to reduce the state's role in promoting religious matters in both their public and private lives. This shift has been influenced significantly by globalisation, which has introduced diverse cultural norms and moral perspectives, particularly among the educated class. This change is often perceived as a decline in religiosity, raising crucial questions for understanding the future direction of Iranian society. Is Iran progressing towards secularism, where religion’s role in public life diminishes, and the separation of state and religion becomes more pronounced? Or is this shift reflecting society's pursuit of greater religious freedom and pluralism?
This study will apply Peter L. Berger’s theories on the relationship between modernity and the decline of religiosity within the frameworks of secularisation and pluralism. The aim is to assess the applicability of these theories in the Iranian context, potentially offering insights that could contribute to a revised understanding of secularisation and pluralism.