The Ways Shī a Scholars Reacted to and Opposed the Activities of Presbyterian Missions in Mashhad during 1301-1309 sh

American missions began widespread activities throughout Iran since Qajar periods and were mainly engaged in propagation in the form of establishing schools and medical institutes. For this purpose, they had constructed schools and hospitals in Urmia, Hamadan, and Tehran. Mashhad was also among the cities that received more attention by missions. After establishing its position in Mashhad, the American Presbyterian mission sought to execute its projects and began to construct such infrastructures as schools, hospitals, and churches. Scholars of Mashhad reacted seriously to this and tried to prevent their activities. This mission undertook propagational activities in Sabzevar too, which was opposed by people and the scholars. In Mashhad, too, Ayatollah Nawqānī chose to debate and write rebuttal to confront with American priests.
The present article, while examining the reactions of Shī‘a scholars during 1301 to 1309 sh. in Mashhad and Sabzevar against the Presbyterian mission, analyzes the actions taken by them and the methods of reactions according to the Khurasan press and the extant documents.