Living Shiʿism: Instances of Ritualisation Among Islamist Men in Contemporary Iran

Abstract

In societies undergoing religious change and reform, anti-reform groups are often at risk of being misanalysed, homogenised, simplified, and perceived as less interesting to research. This is what distinguishes David Thurfjell's book from other works on the same subject. Contrary to the prevailing trend, he traces the thread of change among anti-reform Shīʿī conservatives in contemporary Iran from 1999 to 2003, employing the lens of "ritualisation" which can paradoxically function both as a tool for continuity and a sphere for creativity.