The First Pahlavi Government (Reza Shah) and the Threatening of Religious Scholars

Confronting with religious scholars and limiting the scope of their actions and views and finally the removal of religious aspects from the politics and government and fighting with the religious manifestations and religious assemblies in society¡ have been the main purposes of the tyrant and secular empires in the political history of Iran. Reza Shah dealt with these issues more than the others. He became the King of Iran in the year 1333 AH and gradually tried to destroy or at least loosen the foundation of the clerics and Shia religion. Apart from his opposing actions and behaviors against the Shia religion and its main manifestations¡ his efforts in confining religious scholars need to be taken into consideration. After reviewing the deeds of the first Pahlavi (educational reforms¡ the establishment of customary courts and justice organization¡ etc.)¡ research findings suggest that¡ Reza Shah was seeking to undermine Shia religion in Iran and to marginalize the religious scholars from the arenas of politics and society.