University experts on the Middle East join forces on anniversary of Iranian revolution

After the removal of the Shah assumptions about the inevitability of westernising modernisation in the region could no longer hold sway, and Islam emerged anew as a major force in regional politics.

The University of Exeter’s Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies, based within the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, brings together extensive knowledge of Iran’s religious, political and intellectual culture that shaped events at this time of change.

For some Iranians, the revolution presented quite unexpected and unparalleled opportunities yet for others, who had enjoyed privileged positions beforehand it brought death, exile or impoverishment. Thirty years on, Iranian opinion both within Iran and in across the Middle East remains polarised.

Director of the Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies is Michael Axworthy, former Head of Iran Section in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1998 – 2000), author of Iran: Empire of the Mind and an expert on Iran of international standing. He said, ‘The Centre is an opportunity to focus and enhance the research of internationally acclaimed scholars studying Iran in Exeter, whether from the fields of History, Literature, Politics, Philosophy, Classics or Religious Studies. The history of events leading up to the revolution and thereafter, straddle many different areas of expertise at the University of Exeter, and this Centre will help to draw that knowledge together in a coherent forum.’

As part of the launch of the Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies, there will two major inaugural events. The first is a workshop exploring the significance of Iranian Revolution of 1979 during the week of the 30th anniversary of the revolution on Thursday 29 January at the University of Exeter. Speakers include Baqer Moin the former Head of the BBC Persian Service and biographer of Khomeini, Professor Farhang Jahanpour (formerly Professor of Literature at the University of Isfahan), Professor Sami Zubaida (Professor of Politics and Sociology, Birbeck College) and Professor Sadegh Zibakalam (Professor of Politics at the University of Tehran). The afternoon workshop is open to members of the public; for further information contact l.scrivens@exeter.ac.uk.

The second event is in association with the Royal Institute of International Affairs and will be in London at Chatham House on 12 February. A lecture and seminar will be led by Professor of International Affairs at Columbia University and Director of the Gulf 2000 network Professor Gary Sick. For further information regarding the London event, contact lcooper@chathamhouse.org.uk.

The events will be chaired by the Director of the Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies, Michael Axworthy who was recently interviewed on BBC Radio 4 ‘Start the Week’ about the heritage of Iran.