The Legal challenges of the status of religious minorities in the five periods of the National Consultative Assembly, From Denial to Recognition

Authors

1 .PhD Student of Iranian Islamic History, Department of History, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University,

2 Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University. Tehran.Iran.

10.22111/jhr.2023.45723.3566

Abstract

The Iranian constitutional movement catalyzed profound changes, culminating in the establishment of the National Assembly. As per the eighth provision of the constitutional amendment, all Iranians including recognized religious minorities such as Zoroastrians, Christians, and Jews were deemed equal under the law. This enabled them to appoint parliamentary representatives to voice their desires and secure their rights. This study seeks to delve into a central query using a historical-analytical approach and referencing parliamentary proceedings and extant documents: following the advent of the constitutional system and the creation of the parliament, how did religious minorities navigate their path to equal rights, and what obstacles confronted them? Our findings reveal a varied journey for these minorities in securing rights. Armenians notably pushed for parity with Muslims in electoral rights and sought suffrage for Christian women, but these demands found limited traction in the parliament. In contrast, Zoroastrians successfully entrenched their presence in the parliament by joining commissions and committees. Prioritizing legal equality, they secured memberships in provincial associations, and at times, Zoroastrian representatives viewed themselves more as representatives of the entire Iranian nation rather than just their minority group. The Jewish community encountered heightened challenges, predominantly stemming from internal divisions. Nonetheless, they proposed initiatives such as freedom of business, exemption for Jewish women from the general prohibition on female suffrage, and spotlighting Jewish concerns in the Majlis to reclaim some Jewish rights. Ultimately, the principle of equality under the law met with substantial challenges, leading to minorities being recognized not as integral components of the Iranian nation but as distinct communities.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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    Explanation of the deliberations of the National Council

  • Period 1, Session 104, 15 June 1907 (4 Jumadi-al-Awal 1325).
  • Period 5, Session 2, 14 March 1924 (7 Sha'ban 1342).
  • Period 5, Session 45, 6 August 1924 (15 Asad 1303).
  • Period 2, Session 25, 24 December 1909 (11 Dhul Hijjah 1327).
  • Period 2, Session 24, 22 December 1909 (9 Dhul Hijjah 1327).
  • Period 2, Session 42, 18 Janyary 1910 (6 Muharram 1328).
  • Period 2, Session 288, 27 August 1911 (2 Ramadan1329).
  • Period 2, Session 310, 19 October 1911 (25 Shawal 1329).
  • Period 2, Session 308, 17 October 1911 (23 Shawal 1329).
  • Period 5, Session 72, 23 October 1924 (24 Rabi'ul Awal 1343).
  • Period 5, Session 111, 15 January 1925 (19Jumadi al-Thani 1343).
  • Period 2, Session 160, 23 October 1910 (18 Shawal 1328).
  • Period 2, Session 51, 12 February 1910 (1 Safar 1328).
  • Period 2, Session 241, 29 April 1911 (29 Rabi al-Thani 1329).
  • Period 2, Session 183, 11 November 1910 (8 Dhul-Qaida 1328).
  • Period 2, Session 311, 22 October 1911 (28 Shawal 1329).

Period 12, Session 2, 1 Novermber 1939 (9 Aban 1318).

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History

  • Receive Date: 24 August 2023
  • Revise Date: 11 December 2023
  • Accept Date: 26 December 2023

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