Religion and Nation

An estimated 75,000 Iranians emigrated to Britain after the 1979 revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. They are politically, religiously, socio-economically and ethnically heterogeneous, and have found themselves in the ongoing process of settlement. The aim of this book is to explore facets of this process by examining the ways in which religious traditions and practices have been maintained, negotiated and rejected by Iranians from Muslim backgrounds and how they have served as identity-building vehicles during the course of migration, in relation to the political, economic, and social situation in Iran and Britain. While the ethnographic focus is on Iranians, this book touches on more general questions associated with the process of migration, transnational societies, Diasporas, and religious as well as ethnic minorities.

An estimated 75,000 Iranians emigrated to Britain after the 1979 revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. They are politically, religiously, socio-economically and ethnically heterogeneous, and have found themselves in the ongoing process of settlement. The aim of this book is to explore facets of this process by examining the ways in which religious traditions and practices have been maintained, negotiated and rejected by Iranians from Muslim backgrounds and how they have served as identity-building vehicles during the course of migration, in relation to the political, economic, and social situation in Iran and Britain. While the ethnographic focus is on Iranians, this book touches on more general questions associated with the process of migration, transnational societies, Diasporas, and religious as well as ethnic minorities.

Preface Acknowledgements

Introduction: Religious Identity in the Process of Migration

Chapter 1. The Iranian Revolution and the Subsequent Waves of Emigration
A Brief Look at the Iranian Revolution
The Islamic Republic and the Nationalisation of Islam
The Iranian Diaspora
Political Opposition Groups
The On-going Process of Settlement

Chapter 2. Iranians in Britain
Demographic Information
Iranians in London during the 1980s
Iranians in London during the 1990s
The Media Environment
The Iranian New Year
Khatami’s Presidency
Conclusions

Chapter 3. Sofreh: a Shia Muslim Religious Ritual for Iranian Women
Early Shiism
Sofreh Gatherings in Iran
Sofreh Gatherings in London
Socio-religious Networks in London
Gender and Discourse
Conclusions

Chapter 4. Iranian Sufi Orders in London
Sufism in Iran
Sufism and the Islamic Republic
Sufism in the West
The Nimatullahi Order
The Nimatullahi Khâneqâh in London
The Oveyssi Spiritual Tradition
Maktab Tariqat Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi [Islamic School of Sufism]
The Shahmaghsoudi Oveyssi Order in London
The Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi Sufi Order and New Religious Movements
Conclusions

Chapter 5. The Iranian Christian Fellowship and Elam Ministries
The Pentecostal Movement
Protestant Christianity in Iran
The Iranian Diaspora and Pentecostalism
Elam Ministries and Ex-Muslims
Training to Become Christian Pastors
The Congregation
Baptisms and Church Members
Iranian Women as Born-Again Christians – Preserving Morals
Expectations of Women Outside of the Church
Conclusions

Chapter 6. Conclusions and Findings
The Iranian Revolution
The Settlement Process
Khatami and the Programme of Reforms?

Bibliography
Index