The Role History & Religion Play in Art

It is important to understand the history of Iran and the religion of Islam as it is a critical component to women's right in the country.

Known as Persia until 1935, Iran's first Persian Empire was established in 6^th century BC and lasted until the 6^th century A.D.

Riza Shah Pahlavi became ruler in 1925, with ambitions plans of modernizing Iran. He made education compulsory, freed women from harem, banned hijab and rebuilt Tehran into a modern city. The ban of hijab however was later modified, when women refused to leave their homes without it.

In 1941, Mohammad Reza Shah replaced his father, and wanted to continue his reform policies. He however relied more on manipulation than on leadership. In fact their was even an assassination attempt on his life in 1949.

In 1963, he advocated reform policies known as "The White Revolution" which included voting rights to women. He refused to ban gambling, alcohol, and premarital sex. Religious leaders feared loosing their traditions authority. The rapid growth and modernization programs in Iran accompanied by ostentatious private wealth become greatly resented by the bulk of the population. Shah was even criticized for violations o the constitution.

In 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the government of shah's rule, and Shah fled Iran. From an autocratic pro-west monarchy under Shah to an Islamic thermally under Khomeini, the new government had a major shift towards conservatism.

It revived Islamic traditions. Western influence and music was banned. Women were forces to return to traditional veiled dresses.

The Quran's topics about women discuss protecting and sheltering women. The Quran recognizes men and women as equally. Historically Islam was first to establish inheritance for women, and required a woman's free consent before marriage.

However often sighted as proof of oppression towards Muslim women is a passage that grants men the right to marry more than one wife, but demands that he be able to treat all wives equally. Very few men could and actually fulfill this requirement and have acknowledged such.