The shah's regime in Iran was marked by an intolerance for dissent, leading to heavy repression of opposition groups, including newspapers, political parties, trade unions, and civic organizations. This hostile environment forced many Iranian dissidents to take refuge in mosques and religious schools, where they could express their views away from the state's censorship and control.

Stephen Kinzer's book, "Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq," illustrates how such oppressive actions create environments where dissent flourishes in alternative spaces, highlighting the consequences of authoritarian governance. In Iran, the mosques and religious institutions became critical places for mobilizing against the regime, reflecting a complex relationship between spirituality and politics in the fight for change.