Shiraz University Studies in Arabic Teaching and Learning 2538-4678 Articles in Press 2020 09 29 On the representation of Religious Identity in Arabic Textbooks in Iran On the representation of Religious Identity in Arabic Textbooks in Iran 5846 10.22099/jsatl.2020.37490.1098 AR Sajed Zare Arabic Department,. language and Literature faculty, Yazd university 0000-0003-1354-806X Mohsen Zamani Arabic Department Yazd University Journal Article 2020 06 05 Arabic learning is started in Iranian schools with three textbooks at junior secondary schools. The textbooks entitled ‘Arabic the Language of Quran’ have a direct relationship with the formal religion of Islamic Republic of Iran as mentioned in the Constitution. With respect to the recognized religions in Iranian Constitution, and that the same textbooks are taught all over the country, the present study tries to investigate the representations of religious identity in such textbooks. To this end, after reviewing the high level official documents and ‘the Fundamental Reform Document’ of the Ministry of Education’, the researchers determined the relevant elements of religious identity. The elements include ‘religious places and cities’, ‘religious rituals’, ‘religious figures’, ‘religious symbols’ and ‘religious sects’. The study enjoyed a critical analysis and a descriptive method of research. The units of analysis were lexical items, illustrations and pictures of the textbooks. The results indicated that some items like ‘religious figures’ representing Islam have been the focus of attention, while minority religions were underestimated. This may be interpreted as deviation from the contents of high level official documents, which are expected to actualize the national unity among the Iranian communities. Arabic learning is started in Iranian schools with three textbooks at junior secondary schools. The textbooks entitled ‘Arabic the Language of Quran’ have a direct relationship with the formal religion of Islamic Republic of Iran as mentioned in the Constitution. With respect to the recognized religions in Iranian Constitution, and that the same textbooks are taught all over the country, the present study tries to investigate the representations of religious identity in such textbooks. To this end, after reviewing the high level official documents and ‘the Fundamental Reform Document’ of the Ministry of Education’, the researchers determined the relevant elements of religious identity. The elements include ‘religious places and cities’, ‘religious rituals’, ‘religious figures’, ‘religious symbols’ and ‘religious sects’. The study enjoyed a critical analysis and a descriptive method of research. The units of analysis were lexical items, illustrations and pictures of the textbooks. The results indicated that some items like ‘religious figures’ representing Islam have been the focus of attention, while minority religions were underestimated. This may be interpreted as deviation from the contents of high level official documents, which are expected to actualize the national unity among the Iranian communities.