Islamic Politics Research

Islamic Politics Research

Strategic analysis of the issue of Shiaphobia and strategies for dealing with it

Document Type : Original Article

10.22034/ipr.2025.491125.2212
Abstract
With the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and the emergence of Shiite discourse as political Islam in opposition to the interests of some global and regional powers, the policy of Shiaphobia was raised. Given the significant population of Shiites in the world, the need to confront this phenomenon was felt more than ever. Accordingly, the present article seeks to answer the question of what strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities the Shia world has in confronting the phenomenon of Shiaphobia, and what strategies can be presented? Based on the "SWOT" model, the findings of the article show that the Shiite world has strengths (inspirational ability, the existence of conformist religious components in Shia, the geopolitical position of Shia communities), weaknesses (multiple ethnic and national identities, the existence of some extremist groups), opportunities (unifying grounds, common cultural grounds, the possibility of active participation of Shias in various fields) and threats (synergy of the confrontation between the hegemonic system and some regional countries with Shiaism, structures that intensify anti-Shiite identities). In order to confront Shiaphobia, strategies such as emphasizing the unifying grounds of the Islamic world, utilizing the teachings of the hegemonic system, resisting the hegemonic system and its regional allies, strengthening media diplomacy, marginalizing Shia extremist groups, and strengthening moderate Islamic currents are significant.
Keywords
Shia
Shiaphobia
anti-Shiiteism
strategy
SWOT
Subjects
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Islamic Politics Research
Volume 12, Issue 26 - Serial Number 26
Autumn and winter
March 2025
Pages 64-88

  • Receive Date 27 November 2024
  • Revise Date 14 January 2025
  • Accept Date 16 February 2025