Research Article

Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah's Uniformity in Dress and Revolts

Volume: 13 Number: 3 December 30, 2025
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Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah's Uniformity in Dress and Revolts

Abstract

Iran, which has been subjected to numerous invasions throughout history and ruled by different nations and dynasties, lacked political unity until the coup carried out by Reza Khan in 1920. In addition, the influence of the clergy in the administration, judiciary, and education and on the conservative public continued. Reza Khan, who ended the Qajar dynasty in 1925 and declared the Pahlavi dynasty with the support of the parliament, ulema and intellectuals, changed and transformed his country with Western-style innovations until he ascended the throne in 1941. Reza Shah, who tried to create a modern European-style nation-state in Iran, undertook many radical reforms to achieve this goal. Persian was declared the official language and reading, writing and speaking local languages were prohibited, the tribes were disarmed and the central authority was strengthened, a new civil code was adopted, and serious investments were made in areas such as education, transportation, industry and health. In order to give society a modern appearance, some regulations were made regarding clothing. However, while these reforms were being implemented, the internal dynamics and conservative structure of the country were ignored, and this led to some important rebellions during the Reza Shah period. This study will examine the uniformity of dress regulation implemented in the name of modernization of Iran, the opposition led by the clergy against this regulation, and two important rebellions.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Middle East Studies

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 30, 2025

Submission Date

May 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 17, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 13 Number: 3

APA
Demirel, K. (2025). Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah’s Uniformity in Dress and Revolts. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 13(3), 1512-1533. https://doi.org/10.18506/anemon.1690929
AMA
1.Demirel K. Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah’s Uniformity in Dress and Revolts. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2025;13(3):1512-1533. doi:10.18506/anemon.1690929
Chicago
Demirel, Kenan. 2025. “Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah’s Uniformity in Dress and Revolts”. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 13 (3): 1512-33. https://doi.org/10.18506/anemon.1690929.
EndNote
Demirel K (December 1, 2025) Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah’s Uniformity in Dress and Revolts. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 13 3 1512–1533.
IEEE
[1]K. Demirel, “Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah’s Uniformity in Dress and Revolts”, Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 1512–1533, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.18506/anemon.1690929.
ISNAD
Demirel, Kenan. “Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah’s Uniformity in Dress and Revolts”. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 13/3 (December 1, 2025): 1512-1533. https://doi.org/10.18506/anemon.1690929.
JAMA
1.Demirel K. Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah’s Uniformity in Dress and Revolts. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2025;13:1512–1533.
MLA
Demirel, Kenan. “Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah’s Uniformity in Dress and Revolts”. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 13, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 1512-33, doi:10.18506/anemon.1690929.
Vancouver
1.Kenan Demirel. Opposition of Shia and Sunni Ulema to Reza Shah’s Uniformity in Dress and Revolts. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2025 Dec. 1;13(3):1512-33. doi:10.18506/anemon.1690929