A Survey of the Role of Daily Prayer Performers in Mosques in Managing Security Crises in Iran

Making use of the existing capacities to cope with disasters and violent crises is one of the strategies which has been of interest to researchers in this area. Since the Iranian community has witnessed some of these events in past years, utilization of its available capacities can help control such events with lower costs. Recognizing the capacities of mosques as a symbol of people’s interest in religion, director of their behavior, combat trench and the guardian of the Islamic faith and the prayer performers’ potentials as part of the existing social capital in mosques, this article attempts to evaluate their role in aiding crisis management systems and dealing with security crises. On the basis of the survey method and through a researcher-made questionnaire, a group of daily prayer performers expressed their opinions about the potentials of mosques for dealing with violent movements, their contribution to coping with rioters’ movements and their capacities in this area. The findings suggest that when security crises (riots and violent street protests) occur, daily prayer performers are capable of defending the Islamic system, displaying their public support for it and frustrating the rioters’ attempts to impose their demands on it. The findings, further, indicate that the prayer leader has great influence on daily prayer performers and can be considered a director capable of coordinating and persuading them to fight against protesters.