The influence of Safavid and Ottoman governments on religious developments in Kurdistan

Religious developments in Kurdistan in the Safavid period were different from other parts of Iran. The main issue of this research is what was the effect of the rise of the Safavid government and its conflicts with the Ottomans on the religious texture of Kurdistan. Using the analytical-descriptive method, findings indicate that the growth of Sufi sects in Kurdistan before the Safavid period has led to the growth of Shiism in this region, so that Kurdistan just as other surrounding areas turned to Shiism with the predominant Shafichr('39')i religion. But, the Safavid coercion against the Kurdish tribes stopped this historical process. Due to the Safavid religious policy, the Kurds distanced from the Shiite jurisprudence and became steadfast in the Shafichr('39')i religion. Especially, during that time, Kurdistan was supported by the Ottoman government, which sought to establish a religious barrier with its Shiite enemy. The change in the policy of Shah Ismailchr('39')s successors towards the Kurdish tribes was influential in attracting the attention of some tribes, especially in the southern regions, which reveals the destructive role of Shah Ismailchr('39')s actions in distancing the Kurds from Shiism.