Representation of Identity in the Discourse of Neo-Modernist Political Islam After the Islamic Revolution of Iran

Abstract

The Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979 brought about extensive transformations in various political, social, and cultural arenas of Iran. One of the most significant of these transformations was the change in the dominant discourse and the representation of national and Islamic identity. In this regard, the discourse of neo-modernist political Islam played a pivotal role in shaping collective identity. The present article, with the aim of explaining the representation of identity in the discourse of neo-modernist political Islam and using a descriptive-analytical research method, has reached these results: The Islamic Revolution, by emphasizing the revival of Islamic values and the reinterpretation of religious teachings, attempted to direct Iranian society towards an authentic Islamic identity. This led to changes in laws, education, and people's lifestyles. Identity in the discourse of neo-modernist political Islam is represented as a religious-national identity that is based on the semantic reconstruction of the concepts of Islam and nationalism. This identity seeks to adapt to the needs of the modern world and democratic values, but at the same time faces the challenges of traditionalism. In the discourse of neo-modernist political Islam, political identity acts as a tool for legitimizing political power and explaining Iran's position in the Islamic world and the international community.