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The Shah Mosque was built when Shah Abbas was ruling for his twenty-forth year in 1611. The architect of the mosque was Ali-Akbar Isfahani and was supervised by Muhammad-Ali Beikollah. Shah Abbas wanted the mosque built in order to have his ancestor, Shah Tahmasb, rest peacefully. Also, Shah Abbas wanted to move the capital of the Persian Empire from Qazvin to Isfahan. This would be beneficial because of the fertile land Isfahan has to offer and because Isfahan is far away from the Ottomans who were a strong rival. During this time, there was conflict over power in Persia, and Shah Abbas decided that he wanted to change how the government worked. So, he would create three components of power, one being the Shah Mosque which represented the power of clergy. The other powers were the power of merchants which was represented by the Imperial Bazaar and the power of Shah himself. The Shah Mosque would have the biggest dome in the city and would be quickly built as Shah Abbas wanted the construction to be completed before he died. Shortcuts were taken when building the mosque and it was decorated with seven different colored tiles which also helped speed up the construction.

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The Shah Mosque is located in Isfahan, Iran.

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The language spoken in Iran is Persian.

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The form of government in Iran is Islamist Republic. This republic was covered by a clerical system, however, it is made up of a unicameral legislature which is called the majlis, a president, and a judiciary.

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Both are branches that are practiced in Iran, but the vast majority of people practice Shia. 90-95 percent of the Muslims in Iran are Shia, whereas the other 5-10 percent are Sunni.

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99.4 percent of people in Iran are Muslim.

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The Shah Mosque, also known as the Imam Mosque, in Isfahan, Iran, is a significant site for Islamic worship and cultural heritage. Major festivals celebrated at the Shah Mosque include Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, and is celebrated with special prayers, feasting, and communal gatherings. This festival brings together the faithful for joyous celebrations and reflections. Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. This festival involves special prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals, emphasizing themes of devotion and charity. During these festivals, the mosque becomes a hub of spiritual activity, uniting the community in worship and celebration. Additionally, the entire month of Ramadan is marked by increased prayer and reflection, with nightly prayers and special events held at the mosque. These occasions highlight the mosque's role as a center of faith and community life.

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Iran became a Muslim country through a combination of military conquest, cultural assimilation, and religious transformation. The process began in the 7th century when Arab Muslim armies, motivated by the early Islamic Caliphates, invaded the Sassanian Empire, which then ruled Iran. The decisive battle of al-Qadisiyyah in 636 CE led to the fall of the Sassanian capital, Ctesiphon, and marked the beginning of the end for the Sassanian Empire. Over the next few decades, the spread of Islam was facilitated by the establishment of Islamic governance, which gradually replaced Zoroastrianism as the dominant religion. Conversion to Islam was a gradual process, often motivated by the social, economic, and political advantages it conferred. By the 10th century, Islam had firmly taken root, and the majority of Iranians identified as Muslims. The subsequent rise of the Safavid Dynasty in the 16th century further cemented Islam's role by declaring Twelver Shi'ism as the state religion, shaping the unique Islamic identity of Iran that persists to this day.

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“Festivals.” Shahjalal Mosque & Islamic Centre, shahjalalmosque.org/service/festivals/. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.

“Islamic Iran.” Asia Society, asiasociety.org/education/islamic-iran. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.

Helicon, editor. “Islamic Architecture.” The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide, Helicon, 2018. Credo Reference, https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6NTAwMTY2?aid=17531.