Answering Only to God: Faith and Freedom in Twenty-First-Century Iran

In the late 1990s, the Islamic Republic adopted a policy of cautious outreach to the world and Khatami's landslide victory in 1997 raised hopes of a more moderate regime in Iran, with democracy, a free press, the free flow of information, political and religious tolerance, and participation by women and minorities. However, this revolution in thinking brought Khatami's government into conflict with the ruling clerics with their own vision of an Islamic society. Based on interviews conducted during their residence from 1998 to 2001, Abdo and Lyons concluded that the clerical establishment is still very powerful and is able to block any move not to their liking. As a consequence little if any of the hoped for changes have taken place. All politics in Iran stem ultimately from theological conflict and the deep doctrinal, philosophical and political differences separating the Sunnis who dominate the broader Islamic world and the Shi'ites who recognize only the authority of Mohammed's direct heirs. Both sides believe in preserving the Islamic system, but it is the degree of flexibility and independence within the system that forms the basis of their disagreement. Currently there are two issues which are being fought behind the scenes - will it be the democratically elected or the clerics who rule Iran and will it be the Sunnis or the Shi'ites who will win the battle for the minds of the young people.According to Shi'ite texts the first eleven heirs to the Prophet Mohammed were killed by agents of the rival Sunni Caliphs and the twelfth Imam went into hiding, announcing in 941 that he was severing his earthly ties to return at the end of time to usher in a reign of perfect peace and justice. The Sunni clerical class assumed the rights and privileges once reserved for the Imams, including the collection of obligatory religious taxes, convening Friday prayers and defensive war against the infidel. Weakened by World War II, Britain ceded its influence in Iran and in the Middle East to the US which played a central role in the 1953 overthrow of Mosadeq who intended to nationalize the British-owned oil industry. The CIA assisted the Shah's intelligence service; US businessmen became more influential; American servicemen and their families appeared in large numbers; and western culture ran rampant through a traditional society. It was the political mullahs led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, aided by Islamic activists, secular nationalists, militant students, clerics and the leftist militia who brought down the Shah allowing Khomeini to create a Sunni-based theocratic system. The desert city of Qom and the northeastern city of Mashhad make up the intellectual center of contemporary Shi'ism where many interviews took place. Below the surface Qom is seething with discontent over the clerics' 20 year experiment with direct political power during which universities were purified of un-Islamic influences by firing professors, expelling students and burning books

In 1979 Iranians took to the streets to depose the Shah. The Shah had dismantled everything the religious radicals held dear in Iran. He had abolished `Islamic only' history and began speaking of a `pre-Islamic' state based on the historical Persia. He ordered his army to rip the veils off women and then finally gave women the right to vote, something that Islamic radicals like the Ayatollah found anathema to their male dominated society. Lastly the Shah became an ally of Israel. In many ways the Shah wanted to emulate Ataturk but he didn't realize Ataturk succeeded because he was a nationalist. This book details the total failure of the alternative to the Shahs rule. The 1979 revolution has been called the `last great revolution' but in fact it was a total failure. The Muslims who took power in 1979 promised a free democratic society based on traditional Islam. But it wasn't long until `traditional' Islam began to infringe on the everyday rights of people. Dancing was abolished. Women were no longer allowed to shake the hands of `nonrelated' men. Beauty parlors were closed and veils were forcefully applied to all women. The state became totalitarian and in effect the new regime became worse then the old for many average people.The authors of this book went to Iran in the 90s and explored this phenomenon of a revolution gone wrong. Although slightly dated this book shows the reality inside those that would proclaim Islamic states based on religious Shari'a law. This book chronicles the failure of the high minded revolutionaries, in many ways similar to the failure of revolution in Russia. In both Russia and Iran a revolution promised freedom for the average man but ended up shackling the average people more then before. Today Iran is in the midst of returning to secular democracy. In 1979 Iranian students hated America `The Great Satan' now they listen to broadcasts intently.. An interesting book, an important read.

Abdo and Lyons are among this country's more gifted writers. "Answering Only to God" is an honest and caring account of contemporary Iran. They deserve high praise for their initiative and honesty in telling the story of people so often misunderstood in the West. I find their book a phenomenally enthusiastic yet objective account of Persians. In my opinion, this is Pulitzer Prize-winning work.

A cogent and well-written look at the inner workings of Iran after the Islamic revolution, filled with insights into how religion feeds into every aspect of politics and society. A great read.

Abdo and Lyons have done a masterful job of reporting in this well-timed book. Their efforts provide the reader with a nuanced perspective on a charter member of the so-called "Axis of Evil" and show how the laws of unintended consequences apply to U.S. foreign policy. Lyons, a veteran Reuters correspondent, and Abdo, a well-known journalist and commentator, provide compelling arguments about the genesis of 21st century Iran that should lead to deep discussions and thoughtful debates as the United States prepares to reprise its earlier war against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.