Ancient Religions Clash in Modern Iran
TEMPLE: Zoroastrians pray around a fireplace in a Zoroastrian temple in Chak Chak, central Iran, near the city of Yazd, southeast of Tehran, June 16.
(REUTERS)
TEHRAN – Flicking through photographs of immigrant Zoroastrian friends in sunny California, 40-year-old Farzad Dehnavizadeh sighs and wishes that the young people of his faith stopped leaving Iran for the West.
His 40,000-strong Zoroastrian community has survived centuries of conquest, oppression, and forced conversion to keep their 3,200-year-old monotheistic faith alive and guard ancient traditions in Shiite Muslim majority Iran.
But having withstood the ravages of history, the community is now threatened by emigration, which is robbing the Zoroastrians of their precious youth day-by-day.
Source: Iran’s last Zoroastrians worried by youth exodus – Culture – Middle East Times
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The boisterous scenes of wine, unveiled women and song confounded the popular stereotype of religious worship in contemporary Iran. In an isolated and awe-inspiring mountain setting, followers of an ancient faith were communing with God in festive and time-honoured fashion.
But when the government VIPs arrived, normal order – as defined by the country’s stringent Islamic laws – was restored. The merriment ended, women were ordered to cover up – and grumbles of discontent (albeit muted and discreet) began.
“This is the only time during the year when we are allowed to do what we want, but even here they don’t leave us alone,” said Giti, 55, reluctantly putting on her headscarf.
She was one of thousands of Zoroastrians gathered at Chak-Chak in the central Iranian desert for a five-day pilgrimage that is the biggest annual event in the religion’s calendar.
Source: Ancient Religions Clash in Modern Iran
