Forming National Identity in Iran

Ali Mozaffari is Research Associate at the Centre for Muslim States and Societies, University of Western Australia. He studied architecture at Tehran University and has more than fifteen years experience in architecture and urban design in Iran and Australia. His research interests include the anthropology of place, urban aesthetics, the Islamic city, and museums and heritage.

• List of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsIntroductionPart I : Two Broad Patterns of PlacePart II: What Is Persian? Redemptive Dreams of Homeland and IdentityNotes Bibliography Index

This book is an ambitious and impressive cross-disciplinary study of contemporary national identity in Iran and a significant contribution to knowledge about place-making as a political project. Mozaffari presents an excellent example of the rich insights derived from a synthesis of architecture, anthropology and heritage studies. His analysis of the National Museum introduces a fascinating exploration of the cultural, historical and political roots of how today's certainties about religious tradition and authenticity have been constructed under the Islamic Republic of Iran and articulates the ideological and religious tensions in the very idea of a contemporary Islamic state.' Michael Humphrey, University of Sydney 'This is a novel and engaging book on its subject, the first trans-disciplinary analysis of constructions and representations of collective identity and homeland in twentiethcentury Iran. Its central and most insightful point is that official national identity has been constructed and disseminated through a process of place-making. Mozaffari's unique study can be usefully applied to the other countries of the region as well.' Homa Katouzian, University of Oxford 'Mozaffari's book deals with a uniquely interesting topic. The issue of construction of homeland and identity in modern Iran has not received much scholarly coverage. This volume conceptualises and elucidates the issue in ways that fill an important gap. It should be of interest to a wide range of readers.' Amin Saikal, Australian National University