Geography

Geography

Crime Prevention in Religious Tourism in Tehran: A Case Study of the Shrines of Hazrat Abdol Azim al-Hassani and Imamzadeh Saleh

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Nemat Naroghe 1
Mohsen RezaeI 2
Jalal Amini 3
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Law and Criminology, Amin Police University,Tehran.Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Law and Criminology, Amin Police University, Tehran. Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Crime Detection Department, Faculty of Information and Awareness Sciences and Technologies, Amin University of Law Enforcement Sciences, Tehran.
10.22034/jiga.2025.2061008.1409
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Religious shrines, particularly in metropolitan areas such as Tehran, not only serve as religious and cultural hubs but also play an essential role in shaping social interactions. Due to the high influx of pilgrims and the dynamic nature of these sites, ensuring security and preventing crime are crucial. This research aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing crime in two major religious sites of Tehran, namely the Abdolazim Hassani Shrine and Imamzadeh Saleh.
 
Methodology
This study employed a qualitative, exploratory approach using thematic analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with security experts, police commanders, shrine managers, and a number of pilgrims. The analysis was conducted in three stages: initial coding, organizing themes, and global themes. To ensure research validity, four conventional qualitative criteria were applied: credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability.
 
Results and Discussion
The analysis revealed four major categories of factors contributing to crime in the studied religious sites: (1) environmental, (2) socio-cultural, (3) managerial-institutional, and (4) technological. Key issues included poor spatial design, population congestion, cultural heterogeneity, legal and managerial shortcomings, insufficient training of pilgrims and police forces, and lack of adequate technological infrastructure. Crime prevention in religious shrines requires a comprehensive and integrated strategy addressing spatial redesign, improved training, application of advanced technologies, reform of managerial structures, and stronger institutional cooperation.
 
 
Conclusion
Adopting a holistic crime prevention model can significantly enhance security and tranquility in religious tourism destinations and strengthen public trust in safety measures.


Keywords
Crime Prevention
Crime
Religious Tourism
Pilgrimage Sites
Urban Security

Subjects

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Geography
Volume 23, Issue 85
Spring 2025
Pages 123-141