Document Type : Research/Original/Regular Article

Authors

• Talat Dehpahlavan ¹
• Hassan Hossaini ²

¹ عضو هیئت علمی دانشگاه رازی

² Department of Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran.

Abstract

The Sacred Defense (Iran-Iraq War), as a historical and religious event, was accompanied not only by military dimensions but also by extensive social mobilization and the formation of a national identity rooted in religious teachings. This research analyzes the institutional and discursive mechanisms that transformed the clergy and religious institutions into key players in sustaining resistance. The research methodology involves content analysis of historical documents, sermons by clerics, official statements, and interviews with veterans, conducted through a descriptive-analytical approach. The findings indicate that the clergy, by utilizing tools such as jihad fatwas, Friday prayer sermons, and the promotion of a martyrdom culture, played an indispensable role in popular mobilization, strengthening the spirit of resistance, and legitimizing the Sacred Defense. Furthermore, religious institutions like mosques and seminaries became centers for organizing forces, providing ideological training to combatants, and managing social crises. This involvement not only helped consolidate national unity during the critical conditions of war but also reinforced the position of the clergy as a significant force within Iran’s political and social power structure. The results of the study suggest that the integration of promotional, educational, and organizational functions of religious institutions played a pivotal role in transforming the Sacred Defense into an enduring discourse within Iran's collective memory. This study provides deeper insights into the interaction between religion and politics during national crises and lays the groundwork for comparative research in other Islamic societies.

Keywords

• Martyrdom Culture
• Popular Mobilization
• Religious Councils
• Religious Institutions
• Sacred Defense
• Clergy

Main Subjects

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