Iran is an objective model of solidarity and empathy between the followers of monotheistic religions and a clear example of this is a street in the heart of the capital that houses the four places of worship of the Ibrahim Mosque, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Temple of Hadrian and the Synagogue.
The sincere treatment of the followers of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the followers of monotheistic religions, although it has provided a desirable model of peaceful coexistence to human society, is still not known to the world public opinion. Perhaps the best evidence for this is the remarks of the president of the Zoroastrian Association of Tehran, who emphasizes that Zoroastrians do not even like to consider themselves "minorities" and consider themselves Iranians.
Dr. Afshin Namiranian, who studied physics and is a member of the faculty of Iran University of Science and Technology, in an interview with the the High Council for Human Rights emphasizes that Zoroastrians are free to perform rituals and personal affairs based on their religion. Read the text of this conversation below.
As an Iranian who belongs to the Zoroastrian community of Iran, what is your experience and that of our Zoroastrian compatriots of living in Iran?
Zoroastrians as citizens of Iran have always lived in this country and wherever they live in the world, Iran is the homeland of Zoroastrians. We have never considered ourselves separate from other compatriots, especially Muslim Iranians. We Zoroastrians live with our cousins who are Muslims, with mutual respect for each other's beliefs, and we have never and will never consider ourselves separate from other Iranians.
Therefore, we do not expect to be seen as special and separate, nor do we have a desire to do so because we consider ourselves Iranian. Perhaps basically our biggest problem is having a sense of discrimination that is different from discrimination itself, and perhaps our most important desire as Zoroastrians is not to witness behavior from others that reinforce this sense of discrimination among us.
After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, how do you analyze the situation of the followers of the divine religions, especially the Zoroastrian compatriots? What are some examples of welfare and social services that have been provided as an achievement for the Zoroastrian citizens?
Undoubtedly, the greatest achievement of the Islamic Revolution is the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the Constitution, the Zoroastrian religion is recognized and Zoroastrians have an independent representative in the parliament, and also in another principle, they are given the freedom to perform rituals and personal affairs based on their religion.
For more than four decades, the fruits of these principles have been fresh in the social life of the Zoroastrians of Iran and we have enjoyed its benefits, which are undoubtedly very pleasant and valuable for us. For the past few decades, Zoroastrians have always been free to hold their own celebrations, rituals, gatherings, and religious affairs, and have worshiped freely in their shrines.
Judicial rulings related to personal status such as divorce and division of inheritance and custody of children and the like have been issued based on the personal status of Zoroastrians and even special Zoroastrian dispute resolution councils have been formed in Yazd and Tehran by the judiciary.
The enemies of the Iranian nation sometimes provide ill images of the citizens of religious minorities in Iran. What is your response to these claims?
I emphasize that Iranians, as a large family, have always shared in sorrow and joy, and sacrificed their lives for Iran together during the war, and lived together in time of peace. Therefore, I have no doubt that in the context of dialogue and mutual trust, we can reach an agreement to resolve our problems and we will not need foreigners in this regard.