Islam, Society and Kurds: Islamic Fundamentalism Among Iranian’s Kurds

Abstract

Abstract Islamic fundamentalism is a reading of Islam, the Qur'an and hadiths, according to which a large part of these bases are non-historical, independent and immune to social and political changes and are applicable to all societies and eras. The aim of this article is explanation the causes behind the emergence and spread of this specific form of fundamentalist trend. The research method is based on grounded theory. Samples have been selected through purposive sampling and theoretical saturation was obtained after carrying out depth interviews with 15 participants. Findings show confronting modernism, the crisis of meaning, dominant uncertainty, the need of the contemporary man to collective identity, and the weakness of religious clergy in converting religion to a discourse are the main reasons to tendency to Islamic fundamentalism movement. The fundamentalist movement in Kurdistan, rather than ethnic, highlights Sunni Islam and claims to establishment an Islamic state. These two characteristics distinguish this movement from other Kurdish movements throughout history of Iranian Kurdistan. Moreover, this movement is a reaction to the political, economic and social challenges of the Sunnis of Iran, especially the Kurds.