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Arizeh Nevisi: Votive Petitioning to Al Mahdi , The Imam Zaman in The Islamic Republic of Iran
Abstract
Among numerous religious sites in Iran, Masjid Jamkaran (Jamkaran Mosque) has gained fame and reputation as a holy site where individuals can write letters (Arizeh Nevisi) to Imam Zaman in hopes that their wishes come true. Such letters may contain pleadings and/or petitionings for an outcome with or without votive offerings. The focus of this paper is threefold, beginning with a brief discussion of Iranian governmental political policy promoting to the masses the belief in the power of miracles. These miracles are bestowed by the Ahl al Bayet (members of the house of the Prophet Muhammad) with Imam Zaman as the last of the Twelver or Twelve Imami of Shi’i Islam. It is noted that women tend to believe in such supernatural ideas and practices than men. Second, the paper discusses the physical site and location of this mosque, its renovation and expansion, and the location of water wells where Imam Zaman receives the votive letters. This section directly links the governmental political force to the ambitious building project, not only in its basic promotional concept, but also in its enormous size. This architectural project is in line with the popularity of religious tourism and economic benefit to the state. Third, the author analyses the contents of two short letters before they were deposited in the Jamkaran well. In addition to the letters, also analyzed are a host of other pleading/petition messages and votive promises addressed to Al Mahdi on the walls near the water well. Votive messages sent to the Jamkaran official website provide another source for this project.
Discipline
Anthropology
Geographic Area
Iran
Sub Area
19th-21st Centuries