Iran has long been labeled an Islamic Republic—both politically and demographically—with official statistics claiming over 98% of its population adheres to Islam. However, beneath that surface lies a significant shift. After more than four decades of theocratic governance, Iran may no longer be an “Islamic-majority” society in spirit, belief, or identity—despite what the numbers say.
The Disillusionment After the Revolution
When Ayatollah Khomeini returned in 1979, many believed Islamic governance would deliver justice, moral integrity, and liberation from Western domination. Instead, Iranians experienced a rigid theocracy that concentrated power in unelected clerics, suppressed civil liberties, and weaponized religion.
For decades, religious observance—like compulsory hijab, mandated prayers, and gender segregation—was enforced through coercion, surveillance, and punishment. The regime did not inspire devotion; it bred resentment.
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