A Historical Study of the Factors of the Spread of Shiism in Sanandaj from Qajar Period to the Present

The present study focuses on the role of migration and architecture in the spread and consolidation of Shiism in the city of Sanandaj. As a predominantly Sunni city with a Kurdish majority, Sanandaj has long been a meeting place for different cultures and religions, but the entry and spread of Shiism there, is a relatively recent phenomenon that has its roots in political, social, and economic factors. The main issue of the research is how the migration of Shiite families and merchants from the central cities of Iran, along with their architectural and construction activities, has led to the inclination of a part of the people of Sanandaj to Shiism. This issue is important because Shiism in Kurdistan, especially Sanandaj, was not only the result of government policies, but also the product of social and cultural interactions of Shiite immigrants with the local community. For example, during the Qajar period, with the support of sultans such as Fath Ali Shah and Nasser al-Din Shah, local Shiite rulers were appointed and the migration of Shiite merchants increased, which led to the construction of religious buildings such as mosques, Hussainiyyas, and caravanserais. In the present era, after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the migration of Shiite military and security forces to establish security played another role in strengthening the Shiite community. The research issue also addresses the challenges arising from this expansion, such as maintaining religious balance in a multicultural society and preventing a sense of “Shiitization” that may fuel ethno-religious tensions. This study clarifies that Shiism in Sanandaj was not an imposed phenomenon, but rather the result of voluntary migration and economic-cultural activities that transformed the Shiite population from a small minority into a significant group, so that they currently constitute more than 20 percent of the city's population. The main objectives of this study are: 1) describing
the role of the migration of Shiite families (such as Waziri, Qaderi, Nabatriz, and Mir Abutaleb) in the tendency of the people of Sanandaj toward Shiism; 2) analyzing
the impact of the architectural and construction activities of Shiite immigrants on the consolidation of Shiite symbols in the city, such as the construction of Hussainiyya, mosques, and markets; 3) examining social interactions between Shiites and local Sunnis to understand how religious tolerance is maintained; 4) identifying political factors, such as the rule of Shiite statesmen, in facilitating this expansion. The secondary objectives of the study also include documenting the historical background of the entry of Shiism into Kurdistan from the Safavid and Qajar periods, and evaluating cultural achievements, such as the holding of Muharram mourning ceremonies and Shiite festivals. Finally, the practical aim of the research is to provide suggestions for the cultural policy-making to prevent potential tensions arising from the feeling of Shiism in Sunni-dominated areas.




206  ô  History of Islam, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2025
 




The necessity of this research stems from several aspects. First, despite numerous studies on the history of Kurdistan (such as the works of Ali Akbar Vaqaye’ Negar and Mirza Shokrollah Sanandji), there is no dedicated study on the Shi’ite community of Sanandaj, which the present study fills this gap. Second, in the current context of Iran, where the ethno-religious diversity of Kurdistan can be a source of unity or tension, a historical understanding of the spread of Shiism is essential to prevent the incitement of extremist Salafi groups or anti-national ethnocentrism. Third, this research addresses the need for innovation in Shiite studies, as focusing on the role of migration and architecture (as less studied factors) could provide a model for similar studies in other border regions of Iran. Also, considering the demographic changes after the Islamic Revolution, such as the migration of Shiite forces for security, it is necessary to evaluate the role of these factors in the social developments of Sanandaj. Finally, this research helps policymakers to protect the common cultural heritage of Shiites and Sunnis by maintaining tolerance and to use it to strengthen national identity. The present research is based on the descriptive-analytical method with an applied orientation. A qualitative approach was used, which includes collecting data from the library resources, historical documents, and content analysis. Content analysis was conducted based on the study of historical texts to identify patterns of migration and architecture, and a historical-comparative method was used to compare Qajar, Pahlavi, and Islamic Republic periods. The results indicate that the migration of Shiite merchants from the Qajar period and the support of Shiite rulers played a key role in the spread of Shiism, so that the Shiite population has transformed from a minority to an influential group. Architecture, such as the construction of the Grand Mosque (1228 A.H) and the Arbab Caravanserai, established Shiite symbols. In the present era, immigration after the Islamic Revolution strengthened security and religious centers such as Mahdiyeh. Practical achievement of the research is suggesting to avoid Shiite expressions to maintain unity. This research is innovative in focusing on Sanandaj and shows that Shiism was the result of Kurdish tolerance and economic activities.