While the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran explicitly guarantees religious freedom and upholds respect for officially recognized faiths, the recent publication of several books containing distorted and offensive content about Zoroastrianism has raised widespread legal, cultural, and social alarm. These books were published with official approval from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance—an endorsement that significantly heightens the ministry’s legal and administrative accountability.
A Pattern of Misrepresentation
So far this year, at least three titles have been released through official publishing channels that present a disparaging and historically inaccurate view of the Zoroastrian religion:
- Marriage with Close Relatives in the Zoroastrian Faith
- Sacrifice in the Zoroastrian Faith
(Both by Gholamreza Navaderi) - A Critical Guide to Zoroaster and Neo-Classicism
(By Ali Mosleh)
These books, based on selective and biased interpretations, offer a misleading portrayal of one of Iran’s oldest and most respected religious traditions. The fact that such content has been published with government approval not only represents a breach of administrative duty but may also constitute grounds for legal action..
Constitutional Protections: What the Law Says
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran explicitly affirms the rights of followers of officially recognized non-Muslim religions through several key articles:
- Article 12 recognizes Zoroastrianism as one of the official religions of the country.
- Article 19 guarantees equal rights for all citizens of Iran, stating that no ethnic or religious group shall be given preferential treatment.
- Article 23 prohibits the inquisition of beliefs, affirming that no one may be harassed or persecuted solely for holding a particular faith or opinion.
Insulting the beliefs of recognized religious communities stands in direct violation of these foundational principles and may lead to serious legal consequences.
Legal Grounds for Action: From Administrative Accountability to Criminal Charges
Beyond constitutional violations, the publication of such offensive materials is subject to legal scrutiny under statutory law and may be prosecuted on multiple grounds:
- Article 499 (bis) of the Islamic Penal Code (Discretionary Punishments):
“Anyone who, with the intention of inciting hatred or violence, creates, publishes, or disseminates criminal content targeting divine religions or Islamic sects recognized in the Constitution—or Iranian ethnic or religious groups—shall be subject to sixth-degree punishment.”
This article explicitly criminalizes the spread of inflammatory content against officially recognized religions, including Zoroastrianism.
- Article 1 of the Civil Liability Act:
“Anyone who, without legal justification, intentionally or negligently causes harm to the reputation, dignity, or any legal right of another person is obligated to compensate for the resulting damages.”
Under this provision, offensive publications that harm the dignity or beliefs of followers of official religions may give rise to claims for moral and reputational damage.
- Regulations on Book Publishing Oversight:
According to Clause 2, Article 2 of the publishing supervision regulations, “any publication containing insults, distortions, or derogatory remarks against the officially recognized religions of the country is strictly prohibited,” and violations of this clause are considered administrative offenses.
Moreover, on the international stage, Article 18 of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights underscores the freedom of religion and forbids discrimination against adherents of recognized faiths. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a signatory to this covenant.
Appeal to the Zoroastrian Parliamentary Representative: Upholding Legal Rights and Raising Awareness
Silence in the face of such misrepresentations poses a greater threat than direct offense. Continuation of this trend risks eroding the confidence of religious minorities in the country’s cultural and legal frameworks. It is therefore expected that the esteemed Zoroastrian representative in the Iranian Parliament, building on the diligent efforts of predecessors like Dr. Kourosh Niknam, will actively employ oversight tools, issue formal warnings to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, pursue judicial remedies, and bring these concerns to public forums and cultural commissions. These actions are vital to protect the legal standing of the Zoroastrian faith and to prevent the recurrence of such misleading and negligent conduct.
