The Indian Express (February 10, 2005) carried a special supplement on Iran on the occasion of its National Day. Among the various statistics quoted, it listed the "adherents to Zoroastrianism” at 60,000. In the same article on the same page in a separate reference it was stated that "Zoroastrians constitute 2.8 percent of the Iranian population.”
Another article, titled "Iran Factfile” listed the total population of Iran as 67.47 million people.
Logically does this then mean that the Zoroastrian population of Iran amounts to 1.9 million people?
Considering that the global population figures of Zoroastrians are consistently quoted at between 1,20,000 to 1,60,000 or thereabouts, it would be interesting for our community to know who are these Zoroastrians?
Ascertaining the facts / accuracy of the above figures would prove to be of immense value to the community as a whole, all over the globe as it could materially impact our perspectives on the global Zoroastrian population.
Incidentally, going by these figures the Zoroastrians constitute the largest minority group in Iran.
If the above figures are correct, we would have a sizeable number of members joining the proposed world body of Zoroastrians. On an aside, one could safely forget whether the anjumans of Khergam or Belgaum or others of their ilk decide to join such a world body. I mean, it would really be of no material significance whether an anjuman of 10, 100, 1,000 or even 10,000 members wants to be a part of the proposed world body for such numbers simply do not count for much when one’s looking at a number of two million people.
While on this topic it would be of interest to understand what exactly is meant by the term "adherents to Zoroastrianism?”
One learns from the same article that the Zoroastrians in Iran have their own community publications Chista and Forouheh and a bi-weekly Amordad. It would be a good idea to translate these publications into English and Gujarati and make them available to the community in India for reference. At least this way we can understand the fiber of the community in Iran and use it to further our ties with them?
KAYOMARZ PATEL
The Editors reply
See "World population survey,” pg 76 for Zoroastrian global figures.