Between the 7th century and the 15th century, Sunni Islam was the dominant sect in Iran, and Iranian academics of this period contributed greatly to the Islamic Golden Age. In the 16th century, the newly enthroned Safavid dynasty initiated a massive campaign to install Shia Islam as Iran's official sect, [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] aggressively ...

Oct 17, 2019 · Iran had been dominated mostly by Sunni, non-Persian rulers since the Arab conquests of 637. In 1501, Shah Ismail I took control of the country and established the Safavid Dynasty, Iran’s first native ruling dynasty in nine centuries.

Dec 17, 2024 · There are surprisingly few reliable figures on potential Sunni’s in Iran, and sources state that approximately 5-10 % of Iran’s population as Sunni, mostly in the provinces neighboring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Feb 25, 2025 · While a Sunni minority does exist within Iran, they represent a relatively small percentage of the overall population. Understanding the nuances of this religious landscape is crucial for comprehending Iran’s complex identity and its role in the broader Middle East.

Sep 1, 2024 · Discover how Iran transitioned from a Sunni stronghold to the heart of Shia Islam, driven by historical events like the rise of the Safavid Dynasty and the Islamic Golden Age.

2 days ago · In the Persian year 1403 (2024–2025), more than 142,000 hate-filled posts targeting Iran’s Sunni community were shared on Persian media and social networks, a 164 percent increase compared to the previous year. Of these, approximately 118,000 were posted on X (formerly Twitter), and more than 3,000 appeared on Instagram.

Nov 21, 2022 · After years of underrepresentation and repression at the hands of the regime, Iran's Sunni population is playing an important role in the current protests.

Nov 24, 2024 · The Sunni minority in Iran, primarily concentrated in the border regions, faces systemic discrimination and suppression by the Iranian government, which is dominated by Shia Islam as the state religion.

Apr 24, 2018 · Scheherezade Faramarzi discusses the current situation of Sunnis in Iran. While Faramarzi’s work is valuable given her fieldwork in Iran, in the view of this author, her piece contains errors and misleading information.

Oct 25, 2011 · Iranian Sunnis are mainly Baloch or Kurdish, but an unspecified number are Persian, concentrated in the southern province of Hormozgan and in the northeastern city of Mashhad. Like other Sunnis in Iran, they face discrimination.