Hinduism in Iran
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Hinduism in Iran has a history stretching back to the middle ages. Presently, Hindus are known to travel to Iran, but the vast majority consist of migrant workers from India. This situation is similar across the Middle East, and information in that respect can be found in Hinduism in Arab states.
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[edit] Hindus in Iran
Out of Iran's population of 68,017,860, there are 68,017 recorded Hindus, making them 0.1% of the total population (The percentage of Hindu population of Iran was taken from the United States Department of State's International Religious Freedom Report 2004 [1] ). Hinduism is the fastest growing religion in Iran, spurred mainly by interest in New Age gurus like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Mahesh Yogi.[1]
[edit] Hindu based Organisations in Iran prior to 1979
Prior to the Iranian Revolution of 1979, many Hindu-based missions that proselytize such as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and Transcendental meditation, had locations in Iran. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada traveled to Tehran in March 1975 and August 1976. After 1979, these said locations have been abandoned.
Although some Hindu converts in Iran have allegedly stayed since 1979, it is important to note that since conversion from Islam to another religion is apostasy punishable by death sentence in Iran, these remaining converts, if any, will most likely not identify themselves as such in public or on public record.
[edit] Timeline of Indians Arrival in Iran
In more recent times, around 1925, the first lot of Indians – about 180 families – went to the Iranian border town of Zahidan. They drove there from the western districts of the then Punjab province of India, in the company of truck drivers who used to transport goods to Iran. After their initial influx, these Indians gradually started settling down in the nearby towns of Zabol, Birijand and Mashhad.
In 1950, some more Indians went to Iran and settled down en bloc in Teheran. They were predominantly Sikhs, but there were also some Gujaratis among them.
In the 1960s and early 70s, the Shah of Iran permitted immigration into the country of about a million expatriate professionals to run its essential services. Among the new arrivals were about 10,000 Indian Doctors, Engineers and Teachers.
However, most of them, except a few Doctors, left Iran after the Iranian revolution which ended the Shah’s rule. As of now, the number of Indians who have settled down in the country consists of approximately a hundred and fifty families in Teheran, thirty-five in Zahidan and only two in Isfahan. A majority of these people are engaged in various business activities.
Almost all the Indians in Iran belonging to the third and fourth generation of emigrants have continued to retain their Indian citizenship. Only about ten families among them have become Iranian nationals. Similarly, a majority of fifth generation Indian emigrants have also adopted local citizenship because of work and tax related problems.
The Indian community in Iran, unlike its counterpart in some other countries, maintains strong links with India. Several of its members own properties in this country and even send their children to study in Indian schools. Most of them seek marriage partners for their children in India. It manifests itself in responding to National calamities and crises in India such as the Kargil incursions and the Gujarat earthquake with the spontaneous remittance of contributions for disaster relief [2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Many hues of a rainbow The Hindu - June 11, 2006
[edit] External links
- Refugee status given to Iranian Gaudiya Vaishnava immigrant
- Iran is a cultural mosaic drawn from many sources
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