Unpacking Israeli History Dreaming of Iran: A Conversation with Writer Roya Hakakian
Jul 1, 2025
Roya Hakakian, an Iranian-American writer and refugee, shares her compelling experiences of growing up Jewish in Iran before and after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. She reflects on the complexities of Persian Jewry, tracing its rich history and the drastic shift towards theocratic repression. Roya discusses the resilience of a largely secular society amidst authoritarian rule and the ongoing struggle for a democratic future in Iran. Their conversation reveals the hopeful potential for change as well as the enduring tension between cultural identity and political reality.
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Pahlavi Shahs Fostered Jewish Equality
- Reza Shah Pahlavi promoted unity and modernization by including minorities like Jews as part of a single Iranian nation.
- This fostered Jewish mobility and opportunity, marking a golden age before the 1979 revolution.
Shah’s Modernization and Autocracy
- The Shah modernized Iran and gave women significant rights but ruled with autocracy and censorship.
- Iranian intellectuals were deeply influenced by Soviet Marxist ideology, shaping opposition to the Shah prior to 1979.
Youthful Hope at Revolution
- Roya, age 12 during the 1979 revolution, initially felt excited and hopeful about the promise of change and greater freedom.
- Younger Iranian Jews saw revolutionary ideals as inclusive before Islamism consolidated power.