Death, the Great Equalizer: Memorializing Martyred (Shahid) Women in the Islamic Republic of Iran
In the Islamic Republic of Iran the Bonyad-e Shahid (Martyrs Foundation) has recently added a new wing to its Museum of Martyrs. That addition is dedicated solely to female martyrs, to honor the “fallen ones.” The decision to build a women's section at the Museum of Martyrs reflects the Islamic Republic's new intention to project public images of modernization and gender equality. This article explores the concept of martyrs in Shiite tradition, and more specifically the newly emerging phenomenon of the female martyr. Here an effort will be made to understand the diverse meanings and uses of the word shahid (martyr), not only by the Iranian government but also in the daily lives and popular religious practices of the Iranian people. The discussion will also address the importance of images and personal objects housed in the museum.