The Role of Social Movements from an Intercultural Communication Perspective: Religion and Ethnicity as a Framework for Analyzing and Understanding Popular Mobilization in the 2019 Teshreen Revolution in Iraq

Document Type : researcher

Authors
Seyed Ali Mousavi 1
Ehsan Shahghasemi 2
1 Master's student, Department of Social Communication Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Ehsan Shah Ghasemi, Associate Professor, Department of Social Communication Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, (Corresponding Author)
10.22034/scm.2025.505954.1850
Abstract
This article proposes a new approach to understanding social movements from the perspective of intercultural communication. Specifically, it examines the role of religion and ethnicity in the popular mobilization of the 2019 Teshreen Revolution in Iraq. This qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with eight participants, including experts and specialists in Iraqi studies. Data were collected through open-ended questions focusing on participants' experiences and understanding of the Tishreen Revolution. Thematic analysis was then employed to identify key themes and patterns within the data. The findings indicate that the active groups in the movement had distinct objectives and strategies. However, they all shared a common goal of achieving political and economic reforms in Iraq. The strategies used by these groups included protests, demonstrations, strikes, and both hard and soft confrontations utilizing religious symbols and diverse flags representing various sectarian and ethnic groups. This article presents a framework that can be used to analyze and understand the dynamics of social movements. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of intercultural communication in fostering unity and participation among different communities.

Keywords

Subjects

 
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Society Culture Media
Volume 14, Issue 55
Summer 2025
Pages 11-44

  • Receive Date 10 February 2025
  • Revise Date 21 April 2025
  • Accept Date 26 April 2025