ABSTRACT
The Iran–Iraq War is considered to be one of the most important historic events of the twentieth century. It was a schismogenic process between Iran and Iraq, which led both states into the liminal period of the eight-year war. This chapter focuses on this war as a schismogenesis phenomenon between two states, which left Iran and Iraq in liminality. It demonstrates how Ta'ziyeh symbols were employed by the Islamic regime of Iran to mobilise considerable crowds to fight in the war against Saddam Hussein's army, which was backed by wealthy Arab nations, such as Saudi Arabia, and other powerful states, such as America and Russia. The chapter illustrates the power of symbols and images in forming the public sphere. The leaders of the Arab states in Persian Gulf, particularly Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, together with the US and the Soviet Union, supported Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein, in his invasion of Iran.
