Abstract:
This research examines the reasons for the formation of the Islamic Revival movement with an identity politics approach in Iran during the Pahlavi regime. This article uses a comparative historical method to show the similarities and differences between this movement and the «new religious movements in the world. Giddens considers three factors to be effective in the formation of new religious» movements: 1-The process of secularization in society 2-Rapid social changes 3-A sense of alienation from the mainstream of govermence. A historical review of the Pahlavi era shows that the factors that formed the Islamic Revival movement are also similar to the above three factors in some cases, namely, the modernization of Iran at that time was accompanied by rapid social changes and the phenomenon of secularization, and because the teachings of Islam have influenced the formation of the cultural identity of Iranians for centuries, the secularization of society caused an identity challenge for most Iranians. They felt a sense of alienation towards these actions and joined the clergy to overcome this feeling. Regarding the difference between this movement and the new religious movements, factors such as the «uneven development policy» in the Pahlavi era and the clerics' specific attitude towards development can be mentioned.
Machine summary:
Therefore, in this research, we attempt to have a historical review of the first and second Pahlavi eras and to study and revise the social and political transformations of that time; that is, to pay attention to how the plans and actions of the Pahlavi government for the modernization of Iran caused an identity challenge for a large number of Iranians, such that most Iranians once again demanded the revival of the religion of Islam?
Therefore, the main question of this research is: From an identity perspective, what are the similarities and differences between the Islamic revival movement in Iran and the new religious movements in the world, taking into account the social, political, and cultural conditions of the Pahlavi era?
(Giddens, 2013: 802) Historical study of the Pahlavi government also shows that during the Pahlavi era, the modernization of Iran was accompanied by the phenomenon of secularization—making society non-religious—and due to the lack of alignment between these actions and the traditions and culture of the Iranian people, the Islamic revival movement took shape.
The sense of alienation of individuals from the mainstream can be considered one of the most important reasons for the occurrence of the "Islamic Revival" movement from an identity perspective, because when the Pahlavi government undertook the modernization of Iran, its actions were based on development patterns and models of Western culture.
(
, 
, 
)
