Mosques, Women and Charity Activities in Iran (A Study of Women’s Charity Activities in Isfahan Province)

The charity-based activities in Iran from the past can be known affected by the factor of power in the micro, middle and macro ranges. The mosques in this country were one of the most important centers of charity social organization, following a good relationship with political and economic institutions, they followed the pattern of a traditional city. The effective and active presence of women around the charitable activities of the mosques and during religious ceremonies and religious rituals is evident. It seemed that women, through participation in the proclamation, mourning, and ..., had the opportunity to temporarily suspend the men’s power and on the other hand, after this presence, through the establishment of charities, they obtained the opportunity to make decisions independently of the patriarchal society and its constitutions, which violently was depriving many of the rights of women, including the right to comment and decision-making at a high level.

According to the evidence, the presence of women in mosques after the Islamic Revolution and in the form of charity can be divided into three periods including Iran - Iraq war and support for fronts, construction period (after the war) and attending reconstructive and relief activities, the post-construction period and the formation of new charities. Studying the experience of women in how to set up, form and attend these charities can provide an analysis of the social context of the Iranian society and the experience of women's civil activities.

Therefore, in this article, using qualitative research methods, we will study the women's charity activities in the mosques of Isfahan and the experience of women in attending these activities in different periods after Islamic Revolution. Considering the interpretive social approach adopted in this topic and using the phenomenal methodology, the Colaizzi method is used to analyze the findings.