A historical and analytical study of the political and social situation of Christians in Kurdistan from the late Nasserite period to the end of the Qajar dynasty.

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of History, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran

10.22124/wp.2025.31162.3552

Abstract

Kurdistan, as one of the most culturally and religiously diverse regions in Iran, has always played a special role in the country's social and political history. The Christian community of Kurdistan, including Assyrians and Chaldeans, represents part of this diversity. During the Qajar period, the political and social conditions of this religious community were subject to extensive changes. The government often pursued a policy of religious tolerance, and Christians, like other religious minorities, enjoyed limited rights. Meanwhile, the presence of foreign religious missionaries in the Christian areas of Kurdistan sometimes intensified local sensitivities and led to religious conflicts. This research, through a descriptive and analytical approach, using library documents, attempts to examine the history of the presence of Christians in Kurdistan and their political and social status during the Qajar period. The results indicate that Christians in Kurdistan during that period faced challenges such as political limitations, social pressures, and cultural changes; however, they were able to maintain their position to a large extent by using international relations and the ability to adapt to new conditions.

Keywords

References

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