Representation of Muharram Rituals in West Media; Semiotic Analysis of TotallyCoolPix Website’s Photos of Muharam and Ashura

Movahed Majd, Majid; Niknejat, Zeinab; Abbasi Shovazi, Mohamadtaghi

doi:10.7508/ijcr.2015.31.002

Document Type : Scientific Research Manuscript

Authors

¹ Associate Profesor of Sociology, Shiraz University, (Corresponding Author).

² M.A. Student in Sociology, Shiraz University.

³ Assistance Professor of Sociology, Shiraz University.

https://doi.org/10.7508/ijcr.2015.31.002

Abstract

Protecting and upholding the ideology of media authorities, photo can be considered a tool for communication and meaning-making. Also the social-artistic activities of photograpy paly a significant role in communication as any other media does. The representation theory excessively concerned with media analysis. It should be noted that semiotic method gives the ability to examine hidden layers of media contents such as picture. Based on The representation theory and semiotics techniques, this paper involves in analyzing photography which represented in TotallyCoolPix Website with Theme of Muharam and Ashura (the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar). The outcomes of this analysis reveal that these photos represent Islam and Muslims as “other”, and also including a kind of deviation from the true Muharram rituals among Muslims. This set of pictures can be characterized by some features such as violence, masculinity, passive role of women in religious customs, cohesiveness and collective strength, which are become prevalent in Muslim communities. What is more, traditional Shiite symbols hinged upon these features and themes in these pictures. Overall, the concepts obtained from these pictures analysis illustrate that they are brimmed with violence which pave the way for more Islam- phobia in countries in the Occident.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Iranian Cultural Research

Representation of Muharram Rituals in West Media; Semiotic Analysis of TotallyCoolPix Website’s Photos of Muharam and Ashura

References

References

Send comment about this article

Volume 8, Issue 3 - Serial Number 31
December 2015
Pages 31-59

Representation of Muharram Rituals in West Media; Semiotic Analysis of TotallyCoolPix Website’s Photos of Muharam and Ashura

References

References

Send comment about this article

Volume 8, Issue 3 - Serial Number 31December 2015Pages 31-59

Volume 8, Issue 3 - Serial Number 31
December 2015
Pages 31-59