The Role of Mosques
in Constitutional Revolution inIran

Alireza AliSoufi[1]
Hooshang Khosrobeagi[2]
Hasan Zandieh[3]
Farhad Dashtakinia[4]

Abstract

Mosquesweresignificant cultural institutions in IranduringQajar period. In addition to their routine functions,they had various political,economic and social efficiencies. The main issues investigated in this article are the rolesplayed by mosques in the constitutional revolution and the driving forces that made mosques have political activities in this revolution. Prior to the constitutional revolution and after it, mosques played the role of mass media and were considered as advertisingagenciesby constitutionalists,as well as forums for gathering and organizing groups of people and political associations. The subject of the present study is surveying the political efficiency of mosques in three phases of the constitutional revolution in Iran and their political activities.