Persepolis: Religious Context: Shia Islam in Iran by Vivi Umbaran

Shia Islam: Beliefs and Practices

vivi_26_1 — 2025-01-15 14:08:20 UTC

Islamic Laws and Restrictions

vivi_26_1 — 2025-01-15 14:16:54 UTC

The Role of Shia Islamic Law (Sharia): After the revolution, Iran's legal system adjusted towards Shia Islamic principles. The laws implemented directly affect daily life, especially for women. Marjane and other women were forced to wear a hijab symbolizing the enforcing of modesty and religious conformity.

Struggle with Religious Authority and the Imposition of Beliefs

vivi_26_1 — 2025-01-15 14:20:01 UTC

Pressure to Conform: One of the most immediate changes after the revolution was the enforcement of strict religious codes, particularly for women. Marjane is forced to wear the veil, a symbol of religious and political control under Shia Islam. For her, this becomes a symbol of oppression and conformity. As a young girl with a strong sense of individuality, she resents the forced veil, which represents the imposition of religious law over her personal freedoms.

The Veil as a Symbol of Repression

vivi_26_1 — 2025-01-15 14:21:08 UTC

In Shia Islamic society, the veil/hijab is seen to be a marker of modesty for women, which then becomes an outward sign of Marjane’s struggle. She feels disconnected from the values it represents, especially as a child growing up in a family that is relatively liberal and progressive. The requirement to wear the veil becomes a daily reminder of the political and religious control that stifles her personal freedom and sense of self.

Social Restrictions

vivi_26_1 — 2025-01-15 14:28:15 UTC

Social behaviors such as public interactions, fashion, and even entertainment became tightly regulated under the new theocratic regime. For example, public gatherings, particularly those involving mixed-gender groups, became frowned upon or outright banned, leading to a stricter division between the sexes in both public and private spaces. Marjane’s narrative highlights the social divisions that became more rigid as the government imposed religious-based policies on the population.