نوع مقاله : علمی - پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانشیار گروه علوم اجتماعی، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه فردوسی، مشهد، ایران،
2 کارشناس ارشد پژوهشگری علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه فردوسی، مشهد، ایران
3 دانشجوی دکتری سلامت و رفاه اجتماعی دانشگاه علوم توانبخشی و سلامت اجتماعی، تهران، ایران
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
Abstract
Parks and public gardens as a form of public space and widely used leisure areas, provide a novel space for the representation of religion in the cities of Iran. In this regard, we analyze the religious Icons and elements presented in the parks and public gardens of Mashhad City (a city with the most religious origins) by a qualitative approach. The findings indicate the realization and embodiment of religion in four distinct categories: "Jurisprudence", "Identity", "Worship" and "Ethics"; the last category has the least emphasis and importance in terms of representation. Under the category of “Jurisprudence”, there are icons that warn and advise the jurisprudential and Shariah standards in the form of two threatening (hard) and persuasive (soft) tones directed at gender (with emphasis on women's dress code and their particular separated spaces) and pets (with emphasis on banning dog’s presence in the park). The “Identity” category refers to Icons that connect two local (Mashhadi-Khorasani) and national identities to religion. In this meaning, religion is realized by emphasizing the images related to Imam Reza's shrine and Islamic luminaries, warriors, and scholars. The “Worship” category realizes the concept of servitude and adoration in two ritualistic and mystical meanings. Finally, “Ethics” represents ethical values with religious references. The representation of these four concepts, types, or categories of religion in the leisure space of Mashhad, can be seen as an example of the presence and influence of political power in the public space, a form of space politics by the current established power.
Keywords: Religious Representation, Public Space, Recreational Space, Urban Parks, Mashhad.
Extended abstract
1.Introduction
Public and recreational urban spaces are among the most important arenas for social interaction, cultural reproduction, and the manifestation of dominant social values. Urban parks, due to their extensive use by citizens, play a significant role in everyday life and provide a suitable setting for the representation of cultural and religious symbols and values. As Iran’s most important pilgrimage city, Mashhad offers a unique context for examining how religion is represented in public spaces. Given the role of governmental and municipal institutions in shaping urban environments and promoting cultural policies, investigating the manifestation of religion in recreational spaces can contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between religion, power, and space. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and analyze religious signs and symbols in Mashhad’s public parks and to extract the major themes through which religion is represented in these spaces.
2. Method
This study employed a qualitative research design based on qualitative content analysis. The research focused on religious signs, symbols, and spatial elements present in public parks in Mashhad. Eight prominent parks, including Mellat, Koohsangi, Chehel Bazeh, Emam, Behesht (Golshour), Golha, Kowsar, and Koye Daneshgah, were selected according to their size, popularity, geographical distribution, and level of public use. Data were collected through field observations and photographic documentation during 2022–2023. A total of 82 unique religious signs were identified. Data analysis followed three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. Religious signs were first described in detail, then categorized according to shared meanings and themes. Religious indicators were defined as signs directly referring to Islamic concepts, values, personalities, or symbols. The identified signs were further classified into three categories: three-dimensional structures, special places, and textual structures.
3.Results
The findings revealed that religion is represented in Mashhad’s parks through three major forms of signs: three-dimensional structures, special places, and textual structures. Content analysis identified four main thematic categories: jurisprudential religion, identity-based religion, worship-oriented religion, and ethical religion. The jurisprudential category included signs emphasizing Islamic regulations such as hijab, gender segregation, and restrictions on pets. These messages were conveyed through either disciplinary or persuasive approaches. The identity category consisted of symbols related to Imam Reza’s Holy Shrine, war martyrs, Islamic scholars, and religious figures, promoting both local and national religious identities. Worship-oriented representations appeared through mosques, prayer rooms, qibla signs, announcements of religious ceremonies, and spiritual references to God. Ethical religion included signs encouraging values such as kindness, modesty, dignity, and respect through references to Islamic teachings and traditions. Identity-based and worship-oriented themes were the most visible forms of religious representation, whereas ethical themes were comparatively limited.
4. Discussion and Conclusion
The findings indicate that religious representation in Mashhad’s recreational public spaces extends beyond worship and includes identity, jurisprudential, and ethical dimensions. The strong presence of identity-related symbols reflects an effort to connect religion with local, provincial, and national identities.
Likewise, the emphasis on religious regulations demonstrates the influence of cultural governance and official institutions in shaping public space. In contrast, ethical themes receive less attention despite their broader social appeal. Overall, the study suggests that urban parks in Mashhad function not only as recreational environments but also as spaces for reproducing and communicating religious meanings and values. Considering the diverse social groups that use these spaces, greater emphasis on ethical and universally shared values could enhance social inclusion, strengthen citizens’ sense of belonging, and better support the primary recreational function of public parks.
کلیدواژهها English
