Different Types of Iranophobia and Shia-phobia in Today’s World and the Cultural Means of Confronting Them

The existing Iranophobia and Shia-phobia are the two uncalled for challenges of today’s world that need to be dealt with appropriately at the second step of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. The present paper proposes to examine the emergence of Iranophobia at the regional level, Shia-phobia at the trans-regional level and Islamophobia at the global level and the various methodologies that can be resorted to for neutralizing them. It goes without saying that in the absence of a consolidated policy and appropriate cultural measures, confronting these phenomena can result in the emergence of challenges in conserving national and regional stability as well as the unity in the world of Islam. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the various forms of Iranophobia as well as the causes of the emergence of Shia-phobia in the countries of the region and propose certain cultural strategies for confronting the existing trends and neutralizing these uncalled for phobias. According to the findings of this research the most important strategic programs that should be seriously taken into consideration by the Shiite scholars and thinkers include: increasing legitimacy of the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, influencing the public opinion and diplomatic relations with the countries of the world, pathology of the cultural activities abroad, paying special attention to the considerations and concerns in setting up cultural policies, emphasis on Islamic human rights and condemnation of anti-human activities of the West and the correct introduction of Islam to the world.