Religion and Work in Iran
Contents: Foreword. Preface. I. Concepts and theories : 1. Introduction. 2. Relationship between religion and craft. 3. Religious motifs in oriental art. 4. Role of craft in Islam. 5. Relevance of the study. 6. Conclusion. II. Review of literature and methodology : 1. Review of literature. 2. Methodology. 3. Concepts used in the study. 4. Hypothesis. 5. Variables. 6. Scaling. 7. Validity. 8. Objectives of the study. 9. Sampling. 10. Processing of the data. 11. Conclusion. III. Islam and economy in Iran: an exploration of interrelationship : 1. Importance of work. 2. Role of bazar. IV. Weavers and economic development: the micro-perspective : 1. Field work tables. 2. Economic position. V. Religious ethos, economy and society : 1.Dyers : a. Field work tables. b. Interview. 2. Designers. a. Art and spirituality in Islam. b. Field work tables. c. Kinds of designs in Kashan. d. Interview. VI. Socio-religious dimensions of carpet traders in Kashan City : 1. Field work tables. 2. Interview. VII. Comparison in contrasts : 1. Scaling. 2. Comparison between the craft centres. VIII. Conclusion: 1. National policy on carpet making. Appendices. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.
"This book enquires into the existence of relationship between religion and work in Iran. This study was conducted in one of the ancient cities of Iran which is very famous for carpet weaving. For the study the author did field work for four months in the year 1999 in the city of Kashan and nearby villages to interview and abserve the craft production. As a matter of fact, it comes to the conclusion that there is a constructive relationship between carpet cottage industry and religious observances. In the designs and motifs of Kashan’s carpet weaving the cosmic message of Islam is effectively incorporated. It was observed during the field study that the more faithful weavers produced better quality carpets. In short, the book questions some of Weberian statements on Islam highlighting the dynamic relationship between faith and work in Iran." (jacket)
