Cultural Factors Influencing the Convergence of the Kurdish Ethnic Group with Other Ethnic Groups in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a country characterized by ethnic and cultural plurality, has consistently faced the challenge of managing diversity and strengthening national cohesion. In this context, the Kurdish ethnic group, as one of the oldest and most authentic Iranian peoples, occupies a distinctive position in the country’s political and cultural geography. The present study aims to examine the cultural factors affecting the convergence of the Kurdish ethnic group with other Iranian ethnic groups within the framework of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The main hypothesis posits that profound historical, linguistic, religious, and ritual commonalities provide a solid foundation for strengthening national identity and promoting ethnic convergence. The findings indicate that components such as a “shared historical background” (Kurds as descendants of the Medes and one of the principal pillars of Iranian civilization), “linguistic affinities” (the Kurdish language’s belonging to the Iranian language family and its etymological relatedness to Persian), “shared rituals and traditions” (such as Nowruz), and “Islam as an overarching spiritual umbrella” constitute the most significant cultural drivers of convergence. Despite the presence of religious differences in certain regions, a culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence—rooted in Islamic Sufism and mysticism—has played a substantial role in linking Kurds with other ethnic groups. This article concludes that emphasizing these cultural commonalities and accurately representing them in national media and the educational system can function as an antidote to divergence and security threats, thereby realizing the model of “unity in diversity” within Iranian society.