Why did martyrdom have an important role in the protests of 1978?

In the context of the 1978 protests, martyrdom held a fundamental role in religious expression within Shiʿi Islam, which served as the unifying framework for the diverse opposition against the shah’s regime.12

As government forces killed protesters, these deaths fueled further unrest rather than suppressing it. In the Shiʿi tradition, fatalities were followed by demonstrations to commemorate the customary 40-day milestone of mourning. This created a self-perpetuating cycle of violence where each death triggered new protests, and those subsequent protests often resulted in further casualties.1

By framing the struggle through the lens of martyrdom—a concept deeply rooted in the historical suffering of the 12 imams—the opposition was able to mobilize the populace effectively. This shared cultural and religious language allowed disparate groups, ranging from the secular left to the religious right, to unite under a common cause, ultimately propelling the revolutionary movement forward until the collapse of the shah's regime.12