Irani Zoroastrians Different from Parsi Zoroastrians

January 9, 2006

Source: Persian Journal

http://www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_12134.shtml

On January 9, 2006 the Persian Journal reported, "'Irani Zoroastrians? Never knew they were a separate community?' said a colleague. He is not the only one. For, most people use the terms 'Parsi' and 'Zoroastrian' inter-changeably. The fact is that all Parsis are Zoroastrian, but not all Zorastrians are Parsis. Some of them are just Irani Zoroastrians, sometimes simply called Iranis. 'Though both are Zoroastrian, the main difference lies in the time the two communities came to India,' explains Sanobar Irani, secretary, Zoroastrian Youth Association (ZYA). Those who left Iran soon after the advent of Islam to escape persecution, reached the shores of Gujarat 1,373 years ago. Their descendants are the Parsis. While the Zoroastrians who migrated to India from Iran relatively recently -19th century onwards - are called Irani Zoroastrians. The Parsis have, therefore, imbibed Indian culture and traditions much more than the Iranis. Even some of their customs are similar to Hindu customs."