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Examining the position of Iran in the official historiography of Bahrain
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Hossein Hozhabrian *   , Ahmad Paydareh , Mojtaba Soltani Ahmadi , Ahmad Bazmandegan Khamiri |
| , h.hozhabrian@pnu.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (24 Views) |
The political and social developments in Bahrain have long been intertwined with Iran’s internal dynamics, a relationship that is well-documented in both official records and historical sources. Following Bahrain’s independence, redefining the relationship between the new ruling elites and the centuries-old Iranian cultural and historical presence—particularly that of Iranians who had resided in Bahrain as subjects of Iran—became a matter of considerable significance. In an effort to construct a new national identity, Bahrain’s rulers adopted various strategies, prominently reflected in the country’s official historiography.
This study employs a historical methodology and a descriptive-analytical approach to examine how Iran is represented within Bahrain’s official historical narratives. The findings reveal that Bahraini historiographers have developed a discourse of “othering” directed at Iranians and the Shi’a community. By emphasizing Arab-Sunni identity markers and marginalizing Iranian-Shi’a elements, these narratives seek to portray Bahrain as an ancient, historically autonomous nation-state.
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| Keywords: Bahrain, Official historiography, Iranphobia, Shia phobia, alienation |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
History of Iran / Contemporary History
Received: 2025/02/25 | Revised: 2025/09/13 | Accepted: 2025/09/1 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/09/13
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