Journal of Razavi Culture

Abstract This research is an attempt to reflect phenomenologically on the experiences of tourists who have entered the Razavi shrine with the intention of pilgrimage (religious tourists) or visiting (cultural tourists). Examining the narrations of these tourists since their presence in this holy place, provides immediate feedback to those in charge of the affairs of the shrine. In this study, the opinions of domestic and foreign tourists have been collected that in the past decade, the experience of their presence in the Razavi shrine have been shared in non-Persian languages (English, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and Istanbul Turkish) on reputable websites. The results of this study clearly show that the experience of attending the Razavi shrine is both an aesthetic experience (mental dimension) and an experience of the type of needs of visiting cultural sites (objective dimension); because in addition to narrating the beauty and glory of the Razavi shrine, tourists have mentioned their needs such as access to the main courtyard and the presence of a guide. According to the research results, using new technologies, holding tours and planning for the presence of non-Muslim tourists in the main courtyard is recommended in accordance with all etiquette.

Abstract One of the architectural masterpieces of religious buildings is related to the Iranian-Islamic architecture of the Razavi shrine, which has been formed during historical periods and according to socio-political conditions. This study, while examining the physical and semantic architecture formed in this collection in the two decades after the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, discusses the reflection of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in the mentioned architecture, for this purpose, it is necessary to be aware of the historical and political conditions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this period. This article seeks to use a descriptive-analytical method to study the significant architectural works created after the Islamic Revolution of Iran in the Razavi shrine during the years 1978-98 from the perspective of theorists of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in the category of Islamic identity in Iran, and to explain the special issues affected by the Islamic Revolution of Iran in the mentioned collection in the two decades after the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. The main question of the research is what is the relationship between the revolution and the architecture of the Razavi shrine complex in the next two decades? In response to this question, the research hypothesis is that there is a special relationship between the intellectual foundations of the Islamic Revolution and the architecture of the Razavi shrine between 1979 and 1998.

Abstract The desire to attend religious places is not specific to a particular group, and all members of society tend to visit and enjoy the spiritual atmosphere of these places. This tendency has spread more and more in different social groups. People with disabilities are one of those groups who, due to their limitations, have less opportunity to be in crowded places. This article has been compiled with the aim of identifying the important needs of disabled pilgrims to visit the Razavi shrine. In compiling this article, a qualitative and quantitative approach has been used, and by reviewing documents and theoretical studies and interviewing experts and using the content analysis method, six main dimensions and 31 components required by disabled pilgrims are identified and then using fuzzy cognitive mapping method, the relationships of these factors and determining the important dimensions are investigated. According to this analysis, ease of access, adaptation and rehabilitation are the three main dimensions of the needs of disabled pilgrims, for each of which components have been identified in order to formulate operational solutions.

Abstract Nowadays, the concept of sense of place is used as a tool to measure and explain the quality of space; however, this tool cannot be valid in spaces with regard to the collective memory. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate a framework that pays attention to the spiritual dimensions of the space, and it seems necessary to pay attention to the development of a strategy for measuring the spiritual sense of place. The purpose of this study is to express the components that can eliminate the theoretical shortcomings of the sense of place in the religious spaces of the tomb.
The most important spiritual building in Iran is the sacred shrine of Imam Riḍā (as); therefore, this the sacred shrine has been selected as a case study to measure and compile the spiritual sense of place. The research method is a combination of survey methods and correlation with descriptive-analytical method and basic studies based on field methods and Delphi method. After the consensus of the elites in three stages, a questionnaire consisting of 62 questions was randomly distributed among the pilgrims of the sacred shrine. In addition to the physical, perceptual and functional components, the components among the 62 components studied, which affect the increase of spiritual sense are the  components such as the effect of pilgrimage rituals, collective features during pilgrimage, and the individual spiritual context.

Abstract Engraving (inscription) is an art that has been customary in recording of events since the last periods and history dates back to stone inscriptions and clay tablets. In Islamic arts, engraving on inscription plays a fundamental role in conveying the spirituality, because this art originates from the origin of truth or Holy Qur'an and Muslim artists have always tried to use manuscripts and engraving on inscription for evoking presence of God everywhere. This matter is especially important in religious places and very evident in the holy shrine of Razavi, which has a great spiritual position. There are valuable inscriptions in the ancient courtyard of the holy shrine of Razavi, which belong to different historical periods. The purpose of present study was to investigate the theme and content of inscriptions in each historical period and the relationship between their subject and their position in the building in addition to study the differences and similarities in structure of inscriptions. The methodology of present study was a descriptive method using library studies and field observations. The obtained results showed that inscriptions have been used to stylize the space and manifestation of God's presence and Spiritual reflection of the words of prophets and prayers in addition to decoration of the building which cause a spiritual connection between man and God. Also, a special location has been determined for each inscription in the building based on its theme, which has been transferred from Timurid period to subsequent periods; but changed due to the cultural and social conditions of each era.