Government Study Shows Iranians Less Religious Than Before

NEWSRAEL: It should be noted that this survey was done by the Uran government. Iranians we are in contact with say the reality is even more anti-Islam than what is reported here.

A study by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance reveals a significant decline in adherence to religious values, despite extensive ideological propaganda by the government in Iran.

The confidential study, conducted by the Ministry’s Research Center for Culture, Art and Communication and leaked to foreign-based Persian media outlets, highlights that approximately 73 percent of Iranians advocate for the separation of religion from state, indicating an unprecedented demand for a secular government.

Contrary to the 22.5 percent advocating for a religious government, a sharp increase in secularism is evident, with demands for secular governance rising from less than 31 percent in 2015.

The significant change seems to have taken place since large anti-regime protests in 2022 and 2023 when the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement began, representing the most serious challenge to the Islamic Republic in 45 years.

With participation from over 15,800 Iranians aged 18 and above across all 31 provinces, this is the fourth such study, following similar ones in 2000, 2003, and 2015.

Although the population’s departure from the government’s ideological values is shocking enough for the government, most of those taking part in the study have reiterated that Iranians are likely to be even less religious in the coming years.

EDITORS NOTE: This Newsrael column is republished with permission. ©All rights reserved.

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