Zoroastrians of Iran Remember the Islamic Invasion

June 20, 2007 by pulkit

128_20_008.jpgIran has a sumptuous history and unparalleled cultural heritage, which is on a ventilator in present times. The Islamic regime in Iran has not shown much appreciation for the pre-Islamic history of Iran and its contemporary brand of nationalism takes no pride in those majestic times of yore. In fact, Iran has a written history that dates back to 3200 BC. Under Cyrus and Darius, Iran became the first superpower of the entire world that had been discovered till then.

Before the genesis of Islam, Iran was predominantly inhabited by Zoroastrians. The Zoroastrian faith emanated from the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster. Though there is little consensus over his lifetime, he is speculated to  have lived around a thousand years before Christ. The followers of this faith are few and wide apart. The faith slowly is counting the last of its breaths.

This grave state of Zoroastrianism was brought about by the Islamic invasion of Persia - the name for pre-Arab Iran - and the religious cleansing that followed. Many Zoroastrians were converted by the edge of the sword and many of them paid with their lives for dissent. Also it led to their exodus to places like India.

Today Zoroastrians are a close-knit community, their endangered status having brought them together. There are a few Zoroastrians in Iran and the rest mainly live in the U.S and India. Many of the few Zoroastrians that are left gathered in Chak Chak, Iran to remember the Islamic invasion of Persia and the heroes of that dark hour. One of those heroes was valiant Nikbanou, the daughter of the last king of Persia, who resisted the Islamic invaders.

“We have all gathered at this sacred place to pray Ahura Mazda,” he said, using the Zoroastrians’ name for God. “We are also here to remember Nikbanou and what happened to our ancestors by the Arab invaders.” [source]

Many Iranian Muslims take great pride in their pre-Islamic roots. But it is the government that continues to despise the Zoroastrian faith. After the Islamic revolution, life has become an ordeal for the Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews and Baha’is,  as the post-revolution governments have shown close to no tolerance for other faiths.

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Comments

  1. Posted by aria on July 5, 2007

    hi, i like your site and agree with most of it, but there are some inherent untruths you have published in this blog; firstly, Persia has been the name of Iran before and since the Arab invasion, I believe in 1935 Reza Shah changed the name to Iran and then a few years later his son, Mohammad Reza Shah argued both names are appropiate to use. Secondly, Islam was not brought upon by the sword, it was indirectly imposed through tax incentives and cultural acceptance.

  2. Posted by Pulkit Chandna on July 8, 2007

    Hi,

    Alireza, it pains to have sampled your narrow mindedness. I understand your indignation against a certain group of people, but do not label Islam as evil. In fact, whatever organized religion peolpe follow has shortcomings and phases. Just like Christianity, even Islam is witnessing its dark age. Every religion endures that cycle. Any organized religion that promises to give solutions for worldly problems, is not good enough. For all religions were meant to be unorganized and were aimed at raising people above this world. So, by promising solutions all your religions are delving deeper into the world, which is antithetical to their intrinsic purpose.

    Don’t execrate Islam or any religion or a particular race for your problems. These are mere excuses for your situations. Instead, spread love and widen your perspectives.

    Two people can argue till eternity about whether a glass is half full or half empty. So, don’t come up with excuses, as even the other people might be able to do the same with your race, culture, country and religion.

    The ubiquitous spirit be found……….Peace

  3. Posted by Brahmin on February 26, 2008

    Dear Blogger
    I can feel the pain u have for the loss of your civilsation by the sword of Islam.We Hindus also faced the same wrath of Islam but we defeated them and hence India is still a hindu country.
    Have a little patience.Once again we shal unite and beat the bastards of (mother-fucker)Mohammad

  4. Posted by PUlkit Chandna on February 27, 2008

    Dear Brahmin,

    I think you come from a different India than I do. Our country is supposedly built on the cornerstone of religious comity and tolerance, though subject to certain excursions from the main course preached by our founders and people like you can take credit for it. This blog doesn’t preach hatred towards Islam or any other religion. It is just our crusade against forces that have denied the Iranian country freedom and democracy for long its due.

    Your Dearest Blogger,
    PC - and Fuck you

  5. Posted by gautam on June 16, 2008

    Hi ,

    I am so glad that india remained a hindu country despite muslims doing everything to convert it.Indians are not taught about what really happened to their ancestors ,Temples etc..but with the internet around n with efforts of many hindu scholars people are coming to know what ISLAMIC rule means n what will happen if we dont be united n fight.

    INDIAN PATRIOT

  6. Posted by Naseem on August 23, 2008

    Well,

    Friends There is an increasing trend these days of Muslims world over reconverting back to their original religion and developing a very healthy interest in their original culture. Of course this doesnt include the Arabs!!!.

    So this will probably be the dawn of a new era. But what ever in this era Muslim fundalmentalism and non tolerance for other value systems must be firmly dealt with and no compromises on that.

    Secondly the history of pre islam times of various countried must be widely made available and lastly protection should be given to Muslims converting back to their original faith of their ancestors.

  7. Posted by reens on September 8, 2008

    RELIGION THAT GOT MILLIONS KILLED!!
    I am an indian. i was not against islam till i studied it. it is EVIL. full of treachery falsehood & back stabbing eg hudna.., I undertsand your pain but i must say in india persians are the most affluent people eg tata , godrej etc
    In India we almost have followers from all the religion. At the same time hinduism has many evils too, i cant deny that Brahmin cast in india fecked our country & made us so weak that we have been invaded & conquered many times.
    majority of muslims in india prefer their religion then their country now here the difference comes. muslim majority areas celeberate, fire crackers when india loses a cricket match against pakistan. they want to make india an islamic state as it was DAR-E-ISLAM.

  8. Posted by Persian King on November 22, 2008

    Great is Ahuramazda,
    When Persians reject islam, arabs have no where to hide their swords, that is the end of islam.
    So moslem arabs are doing their worst to keep Iran islamic, this is futile, islam will be buried in the sand dunes of arabia soon; no evil thoughts will prevail.

  9. Posted by Papia on November 27, 2008

    There are two religions in the world now: Islam and Non-Islam. Islam says, if one can’t convert a non-muslim then he should kill that non-muslim. So we are letting them do that because we non-muslims are timid mice. We lend our other cheeck when a muslim slaps on one. Wake up non-muslim mice before they kill us all. Is Jihad their birth right? Learn from them.

  10. Posted by Aryaputra on December 26, 2008

    There is no god but the god of the Aryans for India and Iran. There is no semite god for the Aryans. The day milk flows on the Kaaba stone in filthy animal Arabia, then the world will be at peace.

    Jai Arya
    Jai Arya
    Jai Arya

    Fuck Mohammad Fuck Arabs and all converts.

  11. Posted by Ajay on December 27, 2008

    If the youth of Iran plan wisely,I am sure they can get rid of this cancer called Islam.I urge the Iranian youth to join armed forces in large numbers and topple the government,hang the mullas overnight.
    Iran can really be the key to the downfall of Islam,a curse for humanity.

  12. Posted by venkat on December 29, 2008

    why i think india survived muslim,british invasion is because of caste system,every other culture they conquered they looted and converted,this they couldnt do to india,more over this brahmin hatred,hatred against vedas and upanishads are written india’s history books only to divide hindus,i dont think brahmins could have exploited anybody,the britsh,communist historians cooked up imaginary theories(like aryan invasion theory)only to propagate hatred amogst the hindus.brahmins were never at any time influencing the kings(kshatriyas at any point of history)like what the church did for christans or the maulvi’s of islam.so to treat them like what india is doing is completely unjustified.brahmins only preserved their vedas(their work,what else did they do).islam corners zorastrians,india corners brahmins,whats the difference……

  13. Posted by John on January 30, 2009

    Im glad that the world over people are awakening to this inherently evil, aggressive and dominating political system called Islam which has two faces for every situation and yet promoting its own agenda to domiante the whole world with force of the sword or other repressive means. This is happening in my country Pakistan as well where systemaically the other religious minorities have been sidelined and opressed. Hindu and Christian girls are raped and forced to convert. We who live under this repressive religion know how the muslims spread their religion.

  14. Posted by INDIAN on February 7, 2009

    YES, ITS TRUE. ISLAM HAS NO RESPECT FOR OTHER BELIEFS. ONLY HINDU RELIGION IN THE WORLD IS READY TO ACCEPT THE NEW IDEAS AND HINDUS ARE ALWAYS IN SEARCH OF TURTH BY “TAPASYA”, “SAMADHI”, “YOG” ETC. BUT ISLAM SAYS ONLY QURAN IS LAST & RIGHT. IF MUSLIMS WORSHIP “ALLAH” WHY THEY ARE ALWAYS DIRECTED TO “MAKKA”, THE BIRTH PLACE OF MUMMHAD DURING NAMAJ.THEY WORSHIP ALLAH OR MOHAMAD?????????????????

  15. Posted by indian muslim on June 8, 2009

    i fell actually sorry for all those people who put forward such accusations against ISLAM….anybody who actually has stdudied ISLAM…will never make such statements as our brothers indian,john, venkat etc..u people are ignorant..so you have no right to make any such comments about ISLAM…its not going to make any difference to the mUSLIMS by u saying that, but it just shows how ignorant and non tolerant ypu people are in person…and if you really want to comment about ISLAM…go but the QORAN(english translated) and if anywhere you find there is written that we muslims can force people to change there religion….i swear on all mighty GOD ALLAH..il change my religion that moment.

    the answer to my brother INDIAN…we muslims direct ourselves towards the mekka while offering namaz because its just a direction given by ALLAH to pray…so that we all unitedly can face towards one direction and pray…oderwise if u go into a mosque ther are 1000s of people nd everybody will choose a different direction to pray…so to unite us towards one direction we have been given the direction of mecca. i hope u will actually think before speaking such foul things about ISLAM.

  16. Posted by Pulkit Chandna on June 10, 2009

    Dear Indian Muslim,

    The article was never written with any malice towards any faith and it is a stand i, the author, will never take. I believe in religious tolerance, though readers may have different views. However, i appeal to people from different religions to practice their faith with great pride inside their homes, but set foot outside as humans with their religion powering their life from the comforts of their mind. Let us for a moment forget all superficial differences. We are one and all fissures on the visage of this planet are an illusion.

    Regards,
    Pulkit Chandna

  17. Posted by camca on June 14, 2009

    To Indian,

    I really feel you should not say that. It just shows to us how stupid you are. You are talking with no basis. Don’t compare other religions with yours. We have different faith. You have many gods like ganesh and what so ever, but we just believe in Allah. So we totally have different faith. But i do respect your faith, as in what Islam tell me to do.So we just simply respect each others so we can live in peace.
    May be you don’t know the fact why we are facing Makkah during namaz (pray), but i guess my brother ‘indian muslim’ have given good explanation. So for that, please make it clear of your self. You can ask if you don’t know, but PLEASE don’t make such a stupid statement.

  18. Posted by kafir on July 1, 2009

    beware of taqqiya…

  19. Posted by An indian on July 16, 2009

    I am so proud that india has been home for so many Persians (Parsis as they are known in india) for centuries after islamic invasion of persia.

  20. Posted by Kelevra on July 30, 2009

    Hey indian muslim, I think you have not read Quran thats why you are challenging others to read it. If you don’t see islam as an evil religion JUST TAKE THE CHALLENGE OF ALI SINA at faithforfreedom.org. And out of all the comments he had made on muhammed I am totally agreeing that Muhammed was a Torturer and mass Murderer since I have read the story of Muhammed ordering his henchman to
    put heated nail on some peoples eyes which I read in hadith. The hadith was provided by a Muslim friend of mine from Turkey. I haven’t read the whole book since I don’t have any interest in reading books or novels even if its very interesting

  21. Posted by stanley on August 26, 2009

    to Indian Muslim:
    Did you know that Muhammad replaced Jerusalem with Mecca as the direction to pray to - maybe you should ask yourself why?
    To all those Muslims who think their religion is true, please look at the practices of Arabs before Islam came and after Islam…..you are just following the Arabs religion under a new name.

  22. Posted by stanley on August 26, 2009

    The Jews will win and Israel will survive.
    To all those who hate Israel and the Jews, please do yourself a favour and read a bit of history….you will never destroy this nation! It has been tried too many times too count- all failed.
    The one thing you can say about your so-called god allah ( a re-invention of hubal) - is that he needs a lesson on warfare - 1948,1956,1967,1973….
    Who was it that said ‘..have no Jew as a friend…”
    To non - arab muslims: your ancestors were forcefully converted to this demonic religion- if it was done voluntarily by free choice that is another matter….. by agreeing with the tenets of islam what you are doing is just as terrible as those who forced your ancestors to convert - you are an accomplice to their crimes…so before you defend islam take a look at history first - maybe you did not know about this, but now you have no excuse….
    that goes for any religion that forces conversion by any means on others.
    Freedom of choice means freedom of religion as well……can you imagine this scene:

    you are taken back in time of your ancestors and you witness what those Muslim invaders did to your forefathers….what would be your reaction?

  23. Posted by stanley on August 26, 2009

    As for those who want to compare religions - the only rod of measurement is TRUTH,
    if it is true believe it - if not discard it…nobody after investigation of his belief system will blindly follow it if he discovers it is not true, but that his practice has been dictated by tradition….

  24. Posted by stanley on August 26, 2009

    Remove the fear factor from your lives my Muslim friends.Every Muslim that I personally know has this dread of hell if he says anything negative about Muhammad or his religion - EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT BE TRUE.
    He is forced by FEAR to the extent of lying and even violence to defend Islam….
    fellow Muslim friends - do not fear, believe and practice the TRUTH - if someone wants to leave Islam out of a personal desire to do so - let it be - you are not greater than God - who does not need you to force that person to recant or need you to murder that person. ONLY THE DEVIL BEHAVES THAT WAY. God is Love - and he loves all His creation - if anyone thinks he or his religioon is superior let him prove by a life of superior level of love - which is about giving, helping even sacrificing your life for others - not taking anothers life!!

  25. Posted by karan on October 8, 2009

    Brothers n sisters,let us be more giving than demanding.The fact is that islam was spread on sword.muslims thinks they are better than other faith.Those conqured were constanly made to fear there masters.ARABS.look? moslims builds mosques all over the world.but we cant put a church or a temple in Arabia why?.The problem with Hinduisn is segregation.true God would never classify people.Jesus is the way then.

  26. Posted by Dude on October 30, 2009

    To camca,

    That’s rich coming from you! Maybe you should not make stupid assumptions either!

    Quote from your comment:
    “You have many gods like ganesh and what so ever, but we just believe in Allah.”

    If you knew anything about Hinduism, People of the vedic culture, then my friend you would know that all these gods that you refer to are part of ONE GOD, yes ONE god.

    It’s a popular belief amongst non hindus and ignorant hindus themselves that think there are millions of gods. Which is false.

    ALSO I shall add to this that many muslims seem to think ISLAM is a religion of peace, but history contradicts this again and again!

    One is and would be foolish to think that islam was spread peacfully!

    At the time when the arabs had come to the borders of ancient persia and india, islam was spread by the sword! FACT! MASS conversions were done by force not by choice! Get converted or die!

    The islamic extremists you have in this day and age have the same mentality as the islamic crusaders 1000 years ago! Who spread islam by fear and by the sword.

    I know these guys love their facts!

    It is mind boggling how muslim people seem to think islam is a peaceful religion! A religion that almost wiped out Zorastrianism! Shocking.

    I will say this that not all muslims are bad!

    Also mecca was an ancient hindu pilgrimage site, but this was pre islam!

    Peace

  27. Posted by daryl johnson on November 5, 2009

    FYI there is new anti-Islamic book which lampoons the early tenets of Islam. Press Relief is below, if the sample pages or pictures of Mohammad and Fatima do not transmit they can be obtained at Amazon.com

    Did you know that Mohammad was a perverted, drunken pimp who was ” too stupid and incompetent to run a fig and cocoanut stand, never mind an army or religion”.

    The brand new book, available on Amazon.com, humorously slanders the purported early tenets of Islam. Many Islamic extremists and terrorists might not appreciate the lampooning of the religion (or the pictures of Fatima and Mohammad on the front and back covers of the book), but this book is a challenge to the extremist who seem to demand that American Freedom of Speech does not apply to them and that the world must kowtow to their brand of religion while they are free to trash all others.

    How Fatima Started Islam: Mohammad’s Daughter Tells It All by Noor Barack

    Noor Barack, the author does wish to publicize the book; however the author must recognize that a Fatwa will be issued as soon as the book reaches the Terroristic Islamists and must have enhanced security. Therefore the author will receive email at britbilton@yahoo.com for a short period. If one wishes to talk via telephone please email a telephone number of a specific person to be called. Thank you, also if the book’s front cover did not transmit it can be easily seen at Amazon.com which is the only outlet currently selling “How Fatima Started Islam: Mohammad’s Daughter Tells It All.

  28. Posted by A Christian in the U.S. on December 6, 2009

    This is such a fascinating discussion! Its true, Islam has a bloody history. I have not actually studied Islam or Hindu, and I have only the shallowest understanding of Zoroastrianism. However, I do know that whatever a religion may teach, there are always a few followers who interperet it incorrectly in some way or just take it WAY too far (including mine)! I know that Jesus preached love, understanding, forgiveness, and peace, yet Catholic Europeans Crusaded violently against Islam in the Middle East. I often encounter people who claim to be Christian, but plainly don’t know or don’t care about what Jesus actually taught. Its very frustrating, and gives true Christians a bad name.
    I say this because, as I said, I imagine that its true for every major religion.

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