Behshid Barkhordar’s 10-Month Report on Efforts to Improve the Zoroastrian Community

Behshid Barkhordar, the Zoroastrian representative in the Iranian Parliament, has presented a report summarizing her activities over the past 10 months in 1403 (2024) and her efforts to improve the Zoroastrian community’s situation.

Participating in meetings during the 10 days of fajr, by commemorative events, her discussions with senior officials, her efforts to address the issues faced by Zoroastrian associations and organizations, and her continuous consultation and planning to better the community’s conditions. Her involvement in ongoing meetings within the Zoroastrian electoral district, as well as her role as a member of the Agricultural, Water, and Environmental Resources Commission, and her appointment as the chairperson of the Plant Protection and Food Safety Committee, are key aspects of her is work. Additionally, Barkhordar has been addressing legal and social concerns affecting her is fellow Zoroastrians and striving to protect and promote their rights.

For further details on her efforts and accomplishments, here is the full text of Dr. Behshid Barkhordar’s report:

“Greetings to my fellow Zoroastrians and warm regards to the pure and kind spirit of the priest Firouzgari, who has always supported me. Let us, as always, work together with guidance and unity for the progress and development of our community. In the spirit of transparency and renewal, let us dedicate ourselves to rebuilding, and in all upcoming occasions, the active participation of our fellow Zoroastrians is an absolute necessity.”

1. I have worked and will continue to work as both a role model for Zoroastrian women in thought, speech, and action, and as an elected representative defending the rights of Zoroastrians and the Iranian people in Parliament.
2. Selection of the temporary president by the representatives and the review and approval of the credentials of elected representatives as Secretary of Branch 5 out of the 15 branches in Parliament.
3. Meetings and visits with the heads of the three branches of government, ministers, representatives, the president, commanders of the IRGC and the Army, and other political and legal figures.
4. Interviews with national TV and radio, both domestic and foreign news agencies, and publications.
5. Consistent presence in electoral districts (Alborz, Tehran, Yazd, Kerman, Fars, Isfahan) for meetings and addressing issues with Zoroastrian associations, organizations, and officials.
6. Visits to schools, kindergartens, and elderly homes in the electoral provinces.
7. Meetings with priests to determine policies and strategies for the community.
8. Addressing issues accumulated over the years within associations, organizations, and other agencies.
9. Meetings with fellow Zoroastrians to examine issues and find solutions.
10. Consulting with wise and knowledgeable community members to decide on strategies for overcoming challenges and improving the community’s status.
11. Membership in the Agricultural, Water, Natural Resources, and Environment Commission.

• Observer for the National Biosafety Council elected by parliamentarians.
• Chairperson of the Plant Protection and Food Safety Committee.

12. Planning for the Participation of Top Athletes from the Martyrs’ Cup and Distinguished Scholars from Pirnarki, with a Lottery and a Visit to the Islamic Consultative Assembly for the Top 50 Performers

1. Decisions and votes of confidence for each minister in Dr. Pezeshkian’s cabinet after reviewing qualifications in the commission.
2. Following up on letters and requests from Zoroastrians related to previous years, corresponding with universities, relevant ministries, and military centers to ensure citizens’ rights and prevent their infringement.
3. Designing and launching an official news website for direct communication and updates to Zoroastrians on the occasion of the Spandarmazgan festival at Ahoora101.com, with a Skyroom link for virtual meetings with advisors, exchanging suggestions, and addressing existing issues, while also using a data collection feature for future planning.
4. Ongoing negotiations and follow-ups with parliamentary representatives from shared electoral areas for collaboration on development funds and resolving issues affecting Zoroastrians.
5. Securing 200 billion toman in development funds (increased from 30 billion toman to 200 billion toman) and allocating it to the electoral provinces of Alborz, Tehran, Yazd, Kerman, Fars, and Isfahan.
6. Participating in over 100 meetings with the Supreme Leader, ministers, deputies, organizations, parliamentary committees, and working groups to exchange ideas and resolve community issues, such as:

• Securing 100 billion toman from the Minister of Roads and Urban Development for the construction, enhancement, and asphalting of roads to Zoroastrian pilgrimage sites in Yazd.

1. Visiting electoral districts to address issues and meet with fellow Zoroastrians.
2. Providing drinking water to the village of Cham in Taft.
3. Electricity supply and asphalting for the village of Cham are in progress.
4. Subgrading and asphalting in Pir Herisht.
5. Restoration and reconstruction of Dinyari Boys’ School and Markar School in Yazd are underway.
6. Asphalting in Mazraeh Kalantar village and the development of the electricity network are in progress.

25. Asphalting of the road leading to the Zoroastrian cemetery in Kerman.
26. Securing water rights for the Zoroastrian cemetery in Kerman through a directive from the Minister of Education, in collaboration with the Ardeshir Hemmati Institute and the Zoroastrian Association.
27. Restoration and renovation of Noshirawan and Firouz Behram schools in Tehran are currently underway.
28. Restoration work on the Fire Temple in Shiraz is ongoing.
29. Providing two years of free access to swimming pools for Zoroastrians in Alborz province.
30. Organizing a conference for Zoroastrian associations, institutions, and organizations from across Iran, scheduled to take place in Yazd on December 26th and 27th.
31. Allocation of funds for bank loans to approximately 70 Zoroastrians from Yazd, Kerman, and Tehran provinces.
32. Ongoing efforts to secure over 250 billion tomans in development funds for Zoroastrian community projects in 2025.
33. Restoration of water rights for the Zoroastrian cemetery in Kerman, resolving disputes from previous years between the association and the Ardeshir Hemmati Institute with the Shahid Bahonar Camp, following the intervention of the Minister of Education.
34. Allocation of 500 million tomans from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to support the organization of the volleyball tournament in Yazd, with plans to present a proposal to the Minister of Sports for annual funding of Zoroastrian sports tournaments in all provinces.
35. Holding weekly meetings with fellow Zoroastrians every Tuesday at the Zoroastrian Association’s headquarters in Tehran to discuss and address community issues.
36. Participating in a trip to Croatia as the representative of Zoroastrians in the third religious congress of the Center for Dialogue Between Religions and the scholars of both countries.
37. Ongoing communication and follow-up with ministries to support Zoroastrian producers and entrepreneurs by securing funding and facilitating the provision of loans for businesses and factories owned by Zoroastrians.
38. Active participation in a wide range of meetings, including:

• Sessions at the Office of the Supreme Leader, ministries, organizations, and institutions as needed.
• A meeting with the Japanese Ambassador.
• Participating in meetings during the Fajr Decade for commemorative events.
• Attending the agricultural institutes’ exhibition.

39. Issuing several joint statements as necessary, addressing political matters both domestically and globally.
40. Regular attendance in the parliament to review and discuss proposed bills and resolutions.
41. Continuous participation in meetings of the Agricultural Commission and provincial trips related to the assigned duties, aiming to solve the issues raised by various provinces.
42. Persistent follow-up with Islamic republic of Iran broadcasting (IRIB) to mark the birthday and divine mission of Zarathushtra.
43. Ongoing efforts to resolve the challenges faced by fellow Zoroastrians by engaging with the parliamentary offices and ensuring responses to their concerns.
44. Conducting interviews with journalists, IRIB, publications, and other media outlets.
45. Securing permits for several associations from the Political Parties Commission at the Ministry of Interior.

In conclusion, I hope that the Ministry of Interior will allocate the necessary funds to the associations. I express my gratitude to everyone who supported us in 2025, as well as to those who provided constructive criticism, whether correct or incorrect, as I believe every opinion is a rightful contribution to our community. As always, I am open to any ideas, perspectives, or insights that can help our community grow and thrive. I encourage everyone to remain steadfast in the principles of Zoroastrianism, and I remind you that attempts to exert pressure through manipulation or the spread of false information will not be fruitful. The true path in this world is the path of truth.