Throughout our lives, certain individuals—friends, mentors, and teachers—leave behind a deep and lasting influence. Their presence enriches our understanding, and the lessons they impart continue to shape how we view life. Though many of these individuals have passed on, their memory endures in the insights they offered and the values they helped instill. For many, their wisdom brought about a meaningful shift in how we perceive life and existence.
One of the most valuable gifts such individuals offer is the encouragement to think more deeply—to reflect with clarity and wisdom on our beliefs, traditions, and spiritual lives.
Kourosh Niknam was one such voice of wisdom within the Zoroastrian community. A full year has passed since his physical presence left us, yet his commitment to education, spiritual reflection, and intellectual honesty remains with us. Until his final days, he worked tirelessly to promote a reasoned and enlightened understanding of Zoroastrian teachings and values.
Those who leave this world have no further need for titles or honors—be they doctor, engineer, or mobed. What endures is the legacy of their deeds and the positive change they helped create. That is why I choose to remember this departed friend simply by name.
Today, we mark the anniversary of a man who dedicated the greater part of his life to exploring and answering the profound religious and social questions rooted in the teachings of the great Iranian prophet, Asho Zarathustra, especially as found in the Gathas.
I first met the late Kourosh Niknam in the early 1980s, when my family and I traveled to Yazd, the land of our ancestors. Through my mother, who was from Khorramshahr, I became acquainted with Kourosh at various cultural, religious, and sporting events held in Khorramshahr, where he and the late Khodadad Khandjari were also active. Though our interactions were not frequent due to the nature of our work, I always appreciated the opportunity to converse with Kourosh. Every conversation with him left me with something new to learn.
Later, when I went abroad to continue my studies in 1993, our communication naturally diminished for several years. However, in 2003, when Kourosh Niknam began his work as a member of the Iranian Parliament’s seventh term, his remarkable speeches remained vivid in my memory. One of his significant proposals was to replace the Red Crescent emblem, which has Arabic origins, with the Iranian “Red Sun and Lion” emblem. Unfortunately, this proposal did not receive the necessary support from other parliamentarians.
Kourosh also made other speeches in Parliament that some members did not appreciate, which ultimately led to his disqualification in subsequent elections, despite his honesty, integrity, and competence.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when both of us were living abroad, and Kourosh was battling health issues in France, we found an opportunity to reconnect. Over the next few years, we engaged in numerous discussions about the history, religion, and traditions of Zoroastrianism. While I don’t think I taught him anything new, I certainly gained a wealth of knowledge from him—not just about religion and tradition, but also about life and social matters. I came to realize that throughout his life, and especially during his illness, Kourosh was supported by the unwavering love and care of his wife and children, which brought him immense hope and strength.
The passing of Kourosh Niknam was an immense and sorrowful loss for me/us. I was fortunate enough to be in our beloved Iran when we laid his body to rest and said our final farewells. Iran, a country he was always deeply concerned about, was a constant source of worry for him—both in terms of its current state and its future. Even in his final moments, he remained deeply troubled about what would become of Iran and its people.
Our last virtual conversation took place on March 18, 2024 (27th of Esfand, 1402), when, despite his severe illness, he took the time to send me a response, along with a copy of the book Golbanoo as a gift.
May his soul rest in peace, and may his memory always be honored.
