Abstract:
Religious mourning, or rather mourning rituals and holding ceremonies for religious figures, especially mourning rituals linked to Muharram, is one of the most important elements shaping Shia identity. This subject is so important that a large number of studies by Western Shia scholars have been conducted solely due to their encounter with these rituals. The growing splendor of Ashura rituals shows that this tradition of mourning must possess deep social functions; otherwise, these ceremonies would not have achieved such depth and dynamism. In a functional analysis, this article shows that increasing revolutionary spirit and protest, patience in the face of problems, discharge of suffering, increasing social cohesion, establishing intergenerational bonds, increasing social control, visibility, and the representation of Shia arts are among the most important functions of mourning rituals in Iran after the revolution. Of course, regarding dysfunctions or negative functions resulting from the contemporary cultural encounter with this historical event, one can point to the creation of religious groups, the threat to macro-social bonds, the strengthening of opposition between Shias and non-Shias, and seasonal religiosity and morality.
Machine summary:
In a functional analysis, this article shows that increasing revolutionary spirit and protest, patience in the face of problems, catharsis of suffering, increasing social cohesion, establishing intergenerational bonds, increasing social control, visibility, and the representation of Shia arts are among the most important functions of mourning rituals in Iran after the revolution.
(Durkheim, 1383: 112) Based on what was stated in the explanation of functional analysis, the functional study of mourning will consist of examining the role that this cultural phenomenon plays in the stability of social order and in meeting the needs of the individuals of society.
The Islamic Revolution, as an emerging political power in international arenas, has been able to write a new chapter in the life and expansion of Shiism in the world and has also provided a suitable opportunity for the development and promotion of Shiite religious traditions and the performance of religious rituals, increasing the quantitative attention of society to participating in mourning ceremonies, and increasing the share and role of the government and state institutions in protecting and supporting mourning rituals.
The main aspect of this influence is that the Islamic Revolution of Iran was formed based on the uprising of Imam Hussein and the Karbala movement, and it also derives the most benefit from the opportunity of Muharram and mourning in stimulating the religious feelings of the people for the benefit of social order and also the expansion of the system of norms and values that is considered the foundation of the ruling system.
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