Georgetown University in Qatar professor Mehran Kamrava has recently published a new book with Cambridge University Press titled “How Islam Rules in Iran: Theology and Theocracy in the Islamic Republic.” In this book, Dr. Kamrava explores the ideological foundations of the Iranian state following the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Through extensive fieldwork and analysis of Persian-language sources, he delves into the evolution of Islam as a ruling framework in post-revolutionary Iran, examining the debates and narratives that shape the country’s institutions and policies.
Dr. Kamrava’s research challenges common assumptions about the Iranian theocracy by highlighting the deep ideological roots that stem from religious intellectual production. He examines the political significance of practices and beliefs such as religious guardianship, the relationship between Islam and democracy, and the sources of divine and popular legitimacy in Iran. By combining ideas from politics, religion, and law, Dr. Kamrava provides a comprehensive analysis of different aspects of the Iranian government.
Through his work, Dr. Kamrava sheds light on the future of Iran as an Islamic Republic and raises important questions about the interplay of political and religious forces in the country. With a prolific academic career, he has authored numerous books and journal articles on Iran, the Gulf region, Islam, and revolution. His recent works include “Righteous Politics: Power and Resilience in Iran” and “A Dynastic History of Iran: From the Qajars to the Pahlavis,” both published by Cambridge University Press.
Reflecting on his research process, Dr. Kamrava expresses gratitude to the academic community at GU-Q for providing feedback on his chapter drafts and for the faculty research grants that supported his fieldwork and collection of sources cited in the book. His work has been recognized internationally, with Dr. Kamrava being ranked among the top 0.04% of global scholars in the field of Middle East Studies by ScholarGPS™. Through his contributions, Dr. Kamrava aims to deepen our understanding of the intricate relationship between politics and religion in Iran and contribute to academic discussions on the future of the Islamic Republic.
