Khosrow Behdin: Nearly 120 years have passed since the establishment of the Tehran Zoroastrian Association. Having completed 45 terms, the organization now approaches a new chapter. Founded in the late Qajar period by dedicated Zoroastrians, the association has faced many challenges and transformations, continually renewing itself to remain active and relevant.
Its lasting strength reflects the resilience of Iran’s Zoroastrian community and their long-standing commitment to preserving identity and continuity. Despite historical hardships, from foreign invasions to discriminatory measures such as the jizya tax and unequal legal protections, the community remained devoted to the values of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. The jizya was abolished during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, and years later equal blood-money rights for religious minorities were formally recognized following the Bam earthquake.
The record of those elected to the 46th term is encouraging and suggests a period of renewal. Their experience and dedication offer hope for a dynamic future, ensuring that Zoroastrians in Iran will continue to live with dignity and a strong presence in their ancestral homeland.
Afshin Namiranian, chair of the Tehran Zoroastrian Association, remarked during the Mehregan 1403 celebration (October 2024) at Markar Tehranpars that the association is passing through a particularly important period, a reality that increases both the sensitivity and responsibility of the 46th-term members.
In the well-attended 46th-term elections held on 27 Tir 1404 (July 18, 2025), Tehran’s Zoroastrians turned out in large numbers and elected a strong new team. The weekly Amordad played a constructive role in encouraging participation and fostering an energetic election atmosphere. Many capable candidates who were not elected remain valuable assets to the community, and their continued cooperation can help ensure the success of the new term. As in previous elections, some respected community figures chose not to stand as candidates.
The newly elected members now have three years to deliver on their promises by engaging the full range of talents and capacities within the community and working toward a brighter future. They are currently awaiting approval from the Article 10 Commission of the Ministry of Interior before officially assuming their duties at the Mirza Kuchik Khan Street headquarters, a place that carries the hopes and expectations of Zoroastrians across Iran.
In Ordibehesht 1382 (May 2003), the late Khosrow Dabestani, then Zoroastrian representative, stated at Sarvar Khoramshah Hall in Yazd: “I urge all fellow Zoroastrians to support their elected representatives across every Zoroastrian institution. Community leaders, in return, must use this support to serve the Zoroastrian community with greater commitment.”
The Tehran Zoroastrian Association is considered the most influential Zoroastrian institution in Iran, with a wide and multifaceted range of duties. Few organizations in the country hold a comparable level of responsibility. Speaking at an Amordad press conference in Shahrivar this year (September 2025), Faramarz Pourrostami, spokesperson for the 45th term, highlighted its unique scope, stating: “The Tehran Zoroastrian Association oversees everything from wedding halls to cemeteries, which means its members must bring diverse skills and expertise.”
As a central body managing many aspects of Zoroastrian communal life, membership in the association carries significant responsibility and sensitivity. In addition to knowledge and professional competence, members are expected to be hardworking, patient, and genuinely devoted to serving the community. Clearly, serving on the Tehran Association requires qualities not found in everyone.
Over the years, the association has been home to dedicated women and men who made critical decisions at defining moments, shaping the direction of Zoroastrian affairs across the country. Their lasting influence has ensured that many of their names remain respected and remembered, often regarded as key figures in the community’s history.
At the same time, as with any large institution, there have also been individuals whose performance did not fully match the importance and responsibility of such a significant position.
