Tell me more ×
History Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for historians and history buffs. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 1 down vote favorite

If Zoroastrianism is so strong in Iran, why was there an Islamic revolution? Why is it proclaimed as the Islamic Republic of Iran?

share|improve this question

2 Answers

up vote 5 down vote accepted

There are only approximately 20,000 Zoroastrians in Iran, which is about 0.026% of the total population. I would not say Zoroastrianism is strong in Iran in terms of the total population. The only way Zoroastrianism can be said to be strong in Iran is because it has the second-largest Zoroastrian population after India (~69,000). See List of countries by Zoroastrian population.

Iran has a Muslim population of about 74,819,000 (figure from 2010), which is about 99.6% of the total population (Muslim Population by Country). Based on the overwhelming Muslim majority it is not difficult to see why it is proclaimed as the Islamic Republic of Iran.

share|improve this answer
so what about the Persian inheritance? Is it dead and gone? – Vitalij Zadneprovskij Aug 18 '12 at 14:42
1  
@VitalijZadneprovskij I think you should post that as a new question. – Monster Truck Aug 18 '12 at 14:49
It has called Islamic Republic of Iran after 1979 revolution and it is just to define there is a political kind of Islam running government in Iran by a religious leader nothing else! Before it most Iranians were Muslims according to their ID cards and the country was called Monarchy of Iran! It is not the religion of people which defines the name of country but the kind of managing the country! You know being Muslim is not a personal choice in Islam and if you change your religion as a Muslim by birth there is a horrible destiny for you. It can be equal to death! – Persian Cat Mar 1 at 4:13
up vote -1 down vote

before Islam Iranians had problem with Zoroastrianism and were to an opportunity to get rid of t but Kings of Iran were Zoroastrians and this was not easy. it is interesting to know the last Zoroastrian King of Iran was killed by Iranians and not by Muslims. when Islam started some Iranians seeking truth went to Arabia to meet Muhammad PBUH and learn about Islam. the most famous of them was Salman Farsi the great companion of prophet. Farsi is Arabic form of Persian. and his name means the Solomon of Persia. Salman had great role in introducing Islam to Persians and converting them to Muslim. it it can be said approximately that Persian inheritance Is it dead and gone. Persian inheritance had no chance competing against powerful Islam inheritance.

share|improve this answer
Islam inheritance was more powerful only in a military meaning, or also in other aspects? – Vitalij Zadneprovskij Aug 18 '12 at 16:36
attack of Muslims to Iran was leaded b Omar who is not recognized as a legal Caliph by shia Muslims. after death of Islam some hijacked power and Ali S.A. real successor of prophet and real Caliph selected by God was not in power. attack of Umar to Iran is not an Islamic action in view of Shia Muslims. Iranians selected Islam before attack of Arabs and it is not related to any military. current Yemen was part Persia of that time and Yemen people converted Muslims before attack of Arabs by reasoning and logic. Yemen is a proof that Iranians did not accept Islam by sword. – Ahmadi Aug 18 '12 at 16:54

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.