Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution
Encyclopedia
Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution (also known as The Supreme Cultural Revolution Council or SCRC) (in Persian: شورای عالی انقلاب فرهنگی) , is a conservative-dominated body based in Qom
, was set up at the time of Ayatollah Khomeini. Its decisions can only be overruled by Iran's Supreme Leader
. Most of its members were appointed by Ayatollah Khamenei
, Khomeini's successor.
The President of Iran
is designated the chairman of the Council.
This council debates and approves its own relevant issues. The Ayatollah Khomeini used to say that such approved issues must be regarded as laws. He did not mean that Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution was a legislative organ. However, its ratified bills are valid as approved laws. In accordance with the instructions of the late Ayatollah Khomeini, one must not overrule the approved issues of this council.
The headquarters took shape on 12 June 1980 and following a decree by Imam Khomeini the council was charged to take measures in planning for various courses and for the cultural policy of the universities in future on the basis of Islamic culture and through selection of efficient, committed and vigilant professors and for other issues relevant to the Islamic academic revolution.
The Cultural Revolution Headquarters failed to make universities ready for building the future. The headquarters deleted certain courses such as music as "fake knowledge." Committees established after the 1979 Revolution
came to similar conclusions concerning all subjects in the humanities such as law, political sciences, economy, psychology, education and sociology.
The SCRC was formed in December 1984 and substituted the Cultural Revolution Headquarters. In fact, the formation of such an institution was not stipulated in the Constitution. It was formed under the special circumstances that were prevailing in the early stages of the revolution. The council took its legitimacy from the 9 December 1984 decree of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini.
Following the formation of the SCRC, it declared itself the highest body for making policies and decisions in connection with cultural, educational and research activities within the framework of the general policies of the system and considered its approvals indispensable. In fact, the group of 7 (in 1980-83, and then 17 in 1984, and expanded to 36 in 1999) was expected to compile all the cultural policies of the country.
The SCRC blocked the way to the emergence of the student movement in 1983-1989 period by banning many books and purging thousands of students and lecturers. Through selection of applicants who wished to enter universities and by the formation of institutions inside universities, the council took control of the affairs of all university students.
In 1996 Hojjateslam Mohammad Khatami
was appointed as a member of High Council for Cultural Revolution by the Supreme Leader of Iran
. As President he was the head of the council.
In October 2001 the SCRC ordered all private Internet access companies under state control. The order was never implemented, but parliament considered legislation that would require Internet providers to block access to adult sites and others.
On 10 June 2003, judiciary spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham
explained that a lack of adequate, government-imposed filtering would "pollute the climate" of Internet sites so that those seeking information would be put off from using the sites. They would thus be deprived of their natural rights to gain knowledge. Elham explained that an advisory committee of the SCRC would take charge of filtering. Elham listed more than 20 matters that would likely be filtered.
In 2005 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was appointed as a member of High Council for Cultural Revolution by the Supreme Leader of Iran
. As President he is the head of the council now.
In 5 July 2011 Mohammad Reza Mokhber Dezfooli is elected as Secretary of Council by members of Council for 4 years.
ideology and non-Islamic theories.
where the academia of Iran was purged of Western and non-Islamic influences to bring it in line with Shia Islam. The official name used by the Islamic Republic is "Cultural Revolution."
Directed by the Cultural Revolutionary Headquarters , the revolution initially closed universities for three years (1980–1983) and after reopening banned many books and purged thousands of students and lecturers from the schools. The cultural revolution involved a certain amount of violence in taking over the university campuses since higher education in Iran at the time was dominated by leftists forces opposed to Ayatollah Khomeini's vision of theocracy
, and they (unsuccessfully) resisted Khomeiniist control at many universities. How many students or faculty were killed is not known.
The process of purification of the education system of foreign influences has not been without sacrifice. In addition to interrupting the education and professional livelihood of many, and striking "a major blow to Iran's cultural and intellectual life and achievement", it contributed to the emigration of many teachers and technocrats. The loss of job skills and capital has weakened Iran's economy.
Iran's Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution announced in December 2009 that it had removed opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi
from his position as head of the Academy of Arts, apparently at the behest of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Mousavi, a successful artist and architect, had been the head of the academy since it was founded in 1998 and even designed the building that houses it.Mousavi's removal from his post at the academy has provoked outrage from his colleagues, with 27 of 30 faculty members threatening to resign in solidarity , the faculty members who have sided with Mousavi include his wife, Zahra Rahnavard
, celebrated miniaturist Mahmoud Farshchian
and renowned film directors Majid Majidi
and Dariush Mehrjui.
Qom
Qom is a city in Iran. It lies by road southwest of Tehran and is the capital of Qom Province. At the 2006 census, its population was 957,496, in 241,827 families. It is situated on the banks of the Qom River....
, was set up at the time of Ayatollah Khomeini. Its decisions can only be overruled by Iran's Supreme Leader
Supreme Leader of Iran
The Supreme Leader of Iran is the highest ranking political and religious authority in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The post was established by the constitution in accordance with the concept of Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists...
. Most of its members were appointed by Ayatollah Khamenei
Ali Khamenei
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Hoseyni Khāmene’i is the Supreme Leader of Iran and the figurative head of the Muslim conservative establishment in Iran and Twelver Shi'a marja...
, Khomeini's successor.
The President of Iran
President of Iran
The President of Iran is the highest popularly elected official in, and the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Iran; although subordinate to the Supreme Leader of Iran, who functions as the country's head of state...
is designated the chairman of the Council.
History
The Supreme Cultural Revolution Council that was formed in December 1984 was in fact continuation of the Cultural Revolution Headquarters.This council debates and approves its own relevant issues. The Ayatollah Khomeini used to say that such approved issues must be regarded as laws. He did not mean that Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution was a legislative organ. However, its ratified bills are valid as approved laws. In accordance with the instructions of the late Ayatollah Khomeini, one must not overrule the approved issues of this council.
The headquarters took shape on 12 June 1980 and following a decree by Imam Khomeini the council was charged to take measures in planning for various courses and for the cultural policy of the universities in future on the basis of Islamic culture and through selection of efficient, committed and vigilant professors and for other issues relevant to the Islamic academic revolution.
The Cultural Revolution Headquarters failed to make universities ready for building the future. The headquarters deleted certain courses such as music as "fake knowledge." Committees established after the 1979 Revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
came to similar conclusions concerning all subjects in the humanities such as law, political sciences, economy, psychology, education and sociology.
The SCRC was formed in December 1984 and substituted the Cultural Revolution Headquarters. In fact, the formation of such an institution was not stipulated in the Constitution. It was formed under the special circumstances that were prevailing in the early stages of the revolution. The council took its legitimacy from the 9 December 1984 decree of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini.
Following the formation of the SCRC, it declared itself the highest body for making policies and decisions in connection with cultural, educational and research activities within the framework of the general policies of the system and considered its approvals indispensable. In fact, the group of 7 (in 1980-83, and then 17 in 1984, and expanded to 36 in 1999) was expected to compile all the cultural policies of the country.
The SCRC blocked the way to the emergence of the student movement in 1983-1989 period by banning many books and purging thousands of students and lecturers. Through selection of applicants who wished to enter universities and by the formation of institutions inside universities, the council took control of the affairs of all university students.
In 1996 Hojjateslam Mohammad Khatami
Mohammad Khatami
Sayyid Mohammad Khātamī is an Iranian scholar, philosopher, Shiite theologian and Reformist politician. He served as the fifth President of Iran from August 2, 1997 to August 3, 2005. He also served as Iran's Minister of Culture in both the 1980s and 1990s...
was appointed as a member of High Council for Cultural Revolution by the Supreme Leader of Iran
Supreme Leader of Iran
The Supreme Leader of Iran is the highest ranking political and religious authority in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The post was established by the constitution in accordance with the concept of Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists...
. As President he was the head of the council.
In October 2001 the SCRC ordered all private Internet access companies under state control. The order was never implemented, but parliament considered legislation that would require Internet providers to block access to adult sites and others.
On 10 June 2003, judiciary spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham
Gholam-Hossein Elham
Gholam-Hossein Elham was Iran's official government spokesperson. He was a member of the Guardian Council and former Minister of Justice upon the death of Jamal Karimi-Rad....
explained that a lack of adequate, government-imposed filtering would "pollute the climate" of Internet sites so that those seeking information would be put off from using the sites. They would thus be deprived of their natural rights to gain knowledge. Elham explained that an advisory committee of the SCRC would take charge of filtering. Elham listed more than 20 matters that would likely be filtered.
In 2005 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was appointed as a member of High Council for Cultural Revolution by the Supreme Leader of Iran
Supreme Leader of Iran
The Supreme Leader of Iran is the highest ranking political and religious authority in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The post was established by the constitution in accordance with the concept of Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists...
. As President he is the head of the council now.
In 5 July 2011 Mohammad Reza Mokhber Dezfooli is elected as Secretary of Council by members of Council for 4 years.
Goals
Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution goal is ensuring that the education and culture of Iran remains "100% Islamic" as Ayatollah Khomeini directed and stopping cultural influence from the liberalLiberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
ideology and non-Islamic theories.
Main Members of Cultural Revolution Headquarters
First core of Cultural Revolution Headquarters between 1980–1987| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Ruhollah Khomeini Ruhollah Khomeini Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini was an Iranian religious leader and politician, and leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution which saw the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran... |
Founder |
| Ali Khamenei Ali Khamenei Ayatollah Seyed Ali Hoseyni Khāmene’i is the Supreme Leader of Iran and the figurative head of the Muslim conservative establishment in Iran and Twelver Shi'a marja... |
Founder and head of the council |
| Mohammad Javad Bahonar Mohammad Javad Bahonar Hojatoleslam Mohammad Javad Bahonar was an Iranian scholar, Shiite theologian and politician who served as the Prime minister of Iran from 15 to 30 August 1981 when he was assassinated by Mujahideen-e Khalq MEK, also known as PMOI and KMO... |
member of council |
| Ahmad Ahmadi Ahmad Ahmadi (philosopher) Ahmad Ahmadi is an Iranian cleric, Islamic philosopher and politician. As of 2007, he is a member of the Iranian Majlis and the Islamic Cultural Revolution Council.... |
|
| Jalaleddin Farsi Jalaleddin Farsi Jaleleddin Farsi , born as Hekmatollah Baaraan-Cheshmeh, was the presidential candidate for the Islamic Republic Party in the first presidential election in Iran. He was chosen because Ayatollah Khomeini had personally forbidden the party from running Mohammad Beheshti, a cleric, for president... |
|
| Mehdi Golshani Mehdi Golshani Mehdi Golshani is a contemporary Iranian theoretical physicist and philosopher and Professor of physics at Sharif University of Technology. He received his B.Sc. in Physics from Tehran University in 1959 and his Ph.D. in Physics with a specialization in particle physics in 1969 from the University... |
|
| Hassan Habibi Hassan Habibi Hassan Ebrahim Habibi is an Iranian politician and scholar, presently the Head of Academy of Persian Language and Literature , and a member of the High Council of Cultural Revolution.Habibi was the 1st First Vice President of Iran from 1989 to 2001, eight years under President Rafsanjani and... |
|
| Ali Shariatmadari Ali Shariatmadari Ali Shariatmadari is an Iranian academic and educationist. He was President of the Iranian Academy of Sciences from 1990-1998... |
|
| Abdolkarim Soroush Abdolkarim Soroush Abdolkarim Soroush , born Hosein Haj Faraj Dabbagh , is an Iranian thinker, reformer, Rumi scholar and a former professor at the University of Tehran. He is arguably the most influential figure in religious intellectual movement in Iran. Professor Soroush is currently a visiting scholar at the... |
|
| Mostafa Moin | minister of science |
| Hassan Arefi | mostly involved in expelling medical scientists |
| Mohammad Ali Najafi Mohammad Ali Najafi Mohammad Ali Najafi is an Iranian politician and university professor in mathematics. He was Minister of Science and Technology in the Cabinet of Mir-Hossein Mousavi and after that Minister of Education... |
minister of science |
| Asadollah Lajevardi Asadollah Lajevardi Asadollah Lajevardi, was the warden of the Evin Prison in Tehran Iran from June 1981 until 1985 when he was replaced due to complaints of other clergy. He was assassinated by supporters of the People's Mujahedin of Iran on August 22, 1998.-Career:Asadollah Lajevardi was born in Tehran on 1935... |
Individual Members
- Ahmad AhmadiAhmad Ahmadi (philosopher)Ahmad Ahmadi is an Iranian cleric, Islamic philosopher and politician. As of 2007, he is a member of the Iranian Majlis and the Islamic Cultural Revolution Council....
- Alireza Arafi
- Hamid Parsania
- Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel
- Reza Davari ArdakaniReza Davari ArdakaniReza Davari Ardakani is an Iranian philosopher and university professor lecturer. He is also President of the Academy of Sciences of Iran....
- Hassan Rahimpour Azghadi
- Ali ShariatmadariAli ShariatmadariAli Shariatmadari is an Iranian academic and educationist. He was President of the Iranian Academy of Sciences from 1990-1998...
- Ali Akbar Sadeghi Reshad
- Seyed Alireza Sadr Hosseini
- Mohammad-Reza Aref
- Mohsen Ghomi
- Mohammad-Ali Key-Nejad
- Mansour Kabganian
- Hossein Kachooyan
- Mehdi GolshaniMehdi GolshaniMehdi Golshani is a contemporary Iranian theoretical physicist and philosopher and Professor of physics at Sharif University of Technology. He received his B.Sc. in Physics from Tehran University in 1959 and his Ph.D. in Physics with a specialization in particle physics in 1969 from the University...
- Ali LarijaniAli LarijaniAli Ardashir Larijani is an Iranian philosopher, politician and the chairman of the Iranian parliament. Larijani was the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council from August 15, 2005 to October 20, 2007, appointed to the position by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,replacing Hassan Rowhani...
- Mahmoud Mohammadi Araghi
- Mohammad Reza Mokhber Dezfooli
- Sadegh Vaez Zade
- Ali Akbar VelayatiAli Akbar VelayatiAli Akbar Velayati is an Iranian politician, academic and diplomat. He was the Foreign Minister of Iran from 1981 to 1997...
Legal Members
- President of IranPresident of IranThe President of Iran is the highest popularly elected official in, and the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Iran; although subordinate to the Supreme Leader of Iran, who functions as the country's head of state...
- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - (Chairman) - Chief of JusticeJudicial system of IranA nationwide judicial system in Iran was first implemented and established by Abdolhossein Teymourtash under Reza Shah, with further changes during the second Pahlavi era....
- Sadeq LarijaniSadeq LarijaniAyatollah Sadegh Ardeshir Amoli Larijani is an Iranian cleric, politician and current head of the judicial system of Iran.... - Speaker of Parliament - Ali LarijaniAli LarijaniAli Ardashir Larijani is an Iranian philosopher, politician and the chairman of the Iranian parliament. Larijani was the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council from August 15, 2005 to October 20, 2007, appointed to the position by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,replacing Hassan Rowhani...
- Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance - Mohammad Hosseini
- Ministry of Health and Medical Education - Marzieh Vahid-DastjerdiMarzieh Vahid-DastjerdiMarzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi is an Iranian university professor and former parliamentarian, who is Iran's Minister of Health and Medical Education....
- Ministry of Science, Research and TechnologyMinistry of Science, Research and Technology (Iran)The Ministry of Science, Research and Technology is the government ministry of science, research and technology in the Islamic Republic of Iran...
- Kamran DaneshjooKamran DaneshjooKamran Daneshjoo is an Iranian university professor who is currently serving as Iran's minister of Science, Research, and Technology.-Education:... - Ministry of EducationMinistry of Education (Iran)The Ministry of Education established in 1964, is an Iranian government body responsible for the oversight of K-12 education in Iran.-External links:*...
- Hamid Reza Haji Babai - Ministry of Youth Affairs and SportsMinistry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Iran)The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is the government ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in the Islamic Republic of Iran....
- Mohammad AbbasiMohammad AbbasiMohammad Abbasi is an Iranian politician who is the current Acting Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. He was Minister of Cooperatives in the first and second Cabinet of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from 2005 to 2011... - Vice-President of Technology and Scientific- Nasrin SoltankhahNasrin SoltankhahNasrin Soltankhan is an Iranian politician who presently holds positions in both the local and the executive branch of the Iranian government.-Cabinet position:...
- Islamic Republic of Iran BroadcastingIslamic Republic of Iran BroadcastingIslamic Republic of Iran Broadcaster, or IRIB, , formerly called the National Iranian Radio and Television until the Islamic revolution of 1979, is a giant Iranian corporation in control of radio and television which is among the largest media organizations in Asia and Pacific region, and a regular...
- Ezzatollah ZarghamiEzzatollah ZarghamiEzzatollah Zarghami has been the head of IRIB, the media corporation in charge of controlling Iranian national radio and television broadcasting, since 2004. His predecessor was Ali Larijani.... - Islamic Development Organization - Seyyed Mehdi Khamooshi
- Islamic Communications and Cultural Organization - Mohammad Bagher Khoramshad
- Institute of Representativeness of Leadership in Universities - Mohammad Mohammadian
- Jihad of collegiate - Hamid Tayyebi
- Council of Cultural and Social of Women - Monire Nobakht
- Islamic Azad UniversityIslamic Azad UniversityIslamic Azad University is a private chain of universities in Iran.Headquartered in Tehran, Iran, the Islamic Azad University was founded in 1982 and currently has an enrollment of 1.5 million students, making it the world's third largest...
- Abdollah JasbiAbdollah JasbiAbdollah J. Jassbi is an Iranian academic, pragmatic politician and president of Azad University, a mega university with 1.3 million enrollments.... - Cultural Board of Islamic Consultative Assembly - Gholam Ali Hadad Adel
- Educational and Research Board of Islamic Consultative Assembly - Ali Abbaspoor
- Health and Medical Board of Islamic Consultative Assembly - Hossein Ali Shahriari
Iranian Cultural Revolution
The Cultural Revolution (1980–1983) (in Persian: انقلاب فرهنگی) was a period following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
where the academia of Iran was purged of Western and non-Islamic influences to bring it in line with Shia Islam. The official name used by the Islamic Republic is "Cultural Revolution."
Directed by the Cultural Revolutionary Headquarters , the revolution initially closed universities for three years (1980–1983) and after reopening banned many books and purged thousands of students and lecturers from the schools. The cultural revolution involved a certain amount of violence in taking over the university campuses since higher education in Iran at the time was dominated by leftists forces opposed to Ayatollah Khomeini's vision of theocracy
Theocracy
Theocracy is a form of organization in which the official policy is to be governed by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided, or simply pursuant to the doctrine of a particular religious sect or religion....
, and they (unsuccessfully) resisted Khomeiniist control at many universities. How many students or faculty were killed is not known.
The process of purification of the education system of foreign influences has not been without sacrifice. In addition to interrupting the education and professional livelihood of many, and striking "a major blow to Iran's cultural and intellectual life and achievement", it contributed to the emigration of many teachers and technocrats. The loss of job skills and capital has weakened Iran's economy.
After 2009 Iranian Election Protests
After 2009 Iranian Election Protests2009 Iranian election protests
Protests following the 2009 Iranian presidential election against the disputed victory of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and in support of opposition candidates Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi occurred in major cities in Iran and around the world starting June 13, 2009...
Iran's Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution announced in December 2009 that it had removed opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi
Mir-Hossein Mousavi
Mir-Hossein Mousavi Khameneh is an Iranian reformist politician, artist and architect who served as the seventy-ninth and last Prime Minister of Iran from 1981 to 1989. He was a Reformist candidate for the 2009 presidential election and eventually the leader of the opposition in the post-election...
from his position as head of the Academy of Arts, apparently at the behest of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Mousavi, a successful artist and architect, had been the head of the academy since it was founded in 1998 and even designed the building that houses it.Mousavi's removal from his post at the academy has provoked outrage from his colleagues, with 27 of 30 faculty members threatening to resign in solidarity , the faculty members who have sided with Mousavi include his wife, Zahra Rahnavard
Zahra Rahnavard
Zahra Rahnavard is an Iranian artist and politician.-Early life:Rahnavard was born in Borujerd, Iran. Her father Haj-Fathali was a Fundamentalist Sh'ia and anti-Communist. After hearing of a gathering of Sh'ia clerics in Iran, Haj-Fathali emigrated to Khomein, Markazi Province where Zahra was born...
, celebrated miniaturist Mahmoud Farshchian
Mahmoud Farshchian
Mahmoud Farshchian is a master of Persian painting and miniatures. He was born in the city of Isfahan in Iran, a place famed for its art and artists, and it was here where he started to learn art, painting and sculpting....
and renowned film directors Majid Majidi
Majid Majidi
Majid Majidi is an internationally and critically acclaimed Iranian film director, film producer, and screenwriter. Majidi's films have touched on many themes and genres and he has won many international awards.-Biography:...
and Dariush Mehrjui.