The Role of Forty Years of the Islamic Revolution in the Development of Orientalism Studies

The Islamic Revolution of Iran that took place in 1979 has been a milestone in the development of Orientalism studies in the Islamic Republic of Iran, both inside and outside the country. With the victory of this popular and religious revolution in a country of particular importance at the regional and international levels, the minds and thoughts of many countries, nations, centers, and individuals have become inclined towards the political, social, economic, scientific, cultural, civilizational, ethical, legal, and religious nature of this revolution. This has led to higher educational and research standards both in terms of quality and quantity. Hence, the type of western studies and research in the field of Orientalism has changed greatly. On the other hand, the government and its interaction with active centers and personalities who were studying about Orientalism in Iran made it possible for better contacts to be established with Orientalists scholars, and thought this, they were able to provide them with more reliable and primary sources. Creating specialized fields (like: the Qurʾān and Orientalists), specialized courses, syllabi related to Orientalism, departments for the study of Orientalism, study opportunities, short-term training, student recruitment, student placement etc. are important ways of developing Orientalism studies. In Iran, some seminary centers (such as the Higher Learning Institute of the Qurʾān and Hadith, the Imam ʿAlī (a) Center for Qurʾān Specialization, the Specialized Training Institute for Exegesis and Qurʾānic Sciences, the International Institute for Islamic Studies, a.