Iranian Azerbaijanis - from a `Well Integrated` Ethnic Minority to a Different Identity?

Authors : Gulamhuseyn MAMMADOV

Pages : 25-52

Doi:10.33201/iranian.1242541

View : 187 | Download : 106

Publication Date : 2023-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Azerbaijan Turks constitute the second largest ethnicity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They have faced pressure in the nation-building process that started with the coming to power of the Pahlavi dynasty, and this accelerated the formation of national consciousness in them. It was the result of these pressures that they took an active role in the Islamic Revolution. However, the formation of the national consciousness of the Azerbaijani Turks, who could not achieve what they wanted after this revolution, was triggered by the establishment of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1991. Azerbaijan Turks, who have been exposed to the great cultural influence of the Republics of Turkey and Azerbaijan with the advantages brought by globalization, have started to shift from the “best integrated ethnicity” of Iran to a different identity that is opposed to the Iranian identity. The continuation of the process in this way has the capacity to bring great changes for Iran and the entire region.
Keywords : Ulus inşası, İran, Azerbaycan, Güney Azerbaycan, İran Azerbaycanı