Religious Minorities

Religious minorities faction slams Canada-drafted anti-Iran human rights resolution

TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) – Representatives of Iranian religious minorities at the Parliament have condemned a United Nations human rights resolution against Iran as “inherently politicized” and a “tool to exert pressure” on the Islamic Republic.
2019-12-22 10:57
Head of Jewish community in Tehran:

Iran serves as a role model for coexistence among different religions, ethnicities

TEHRAN, Jan. 30 (MNA) – Rabbi Yunes Hamami, Head of Jewish community in Tehran, says that the Islamic Revolution laid the ground for coexistence among different religions and ethnicities.
2019-01-30 18:07
While in Baghdad, Iran’s FM meets representatives of religious minorities

TEHRAN, Jan. 14 (MNA) – A number of figures and representatives from Iraqi religious minorities have met with Iran’s foreign minister in his place of residence in Baghdad.
2019-01-14 20:06
Minority MPs reject Pompeo’s anti-Iran remarks

TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (MNA) – Iranian religious minority lawmakers in a statement have rejected the recent remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the violation of their rights in Iran, saying Pompeo’s remarks follow anti-Iran goals.
2018-08-19 15:32
Assyrian churches in Tehran issue statement, condemning US 'crocodile tears'

TEHRAN, Aug. 14 (MNA) – Assyrian churches in Tehran have issued a statement condemning the US officials' claims that religious Iranian minorities are discriminated against in Iran.
2018-08-14 14:32
Assyrian MP rejects Trump’s advocacy for minorities

TEHRAN, Aug. 14 (MNA) – MP Yunaten Bet Kelia, who represents the Assyrian and Chaldean communities in the Iranian parliament, said that minorities are living in peace in Iran and do not need US godfathership.
2018-08-14 11:43
Iran condemns anti-Iran statement of Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom

TEHRAN, Jul. 30 (MNA) – Bahram Ghasemi of Iranian foreign ministry denounced the anti-Iran claims made in the final statement of the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington.
2018-07-30 22:32
By: Mehdi Pedramkhoo

Mandaeans practicing baptism in Karun River

AHVAZ, Jul. 17 (MNA) – Followers of Mandaeism are seen as performing baptism in Karun River, Khuzestan province. The Mandaean community reveres John the Baptist, who they call Yehyea Yahana. Baptism, or masbuta, is the key ritual of this gnostic faith. Unlike Christians, Mandaeans may be baptised hundreds, even thousands of times over the course their life.
2018-07-17 13:38
By: Pang Sen

Facts and figures about Xinjiang of China

TEHRAN, Jul. 14 (MNA) – Due to its important role in China’s Belt-and-Road Initiative, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang) has attracted much attention. Not infrequently, praises, along with misunderstanding and western media’s distortion are intertwined in the press. It is necessary to present a real and true picture about the region to facilitate a better understanding of Xinjiang.
2018-07-14 12:22
Prof. Dibyesh Anand:

Hindu nationalists in India use hate politics to scapegoat religious minorities

TEHRAN, Jun. 28 (MNA) – Indian analyst Prof. Dibyesh Anand says that Hindu nationalists in India use hate politics to scapegoat religious minorities, especially Muslims, so that majority of Hindus would think if India had a strong Hindu leader, things would get better.
2018-06-28 21:00
By: Mohammad Khodabakhsh

Tehraners mark Nights of Qadr on 19th night of Holy Month of Ramadan

TEHRAN, Jun. 04 (MNA) – People in Tehran observed religious seclusion on the nineteenth night of Holy Month of Ramadan in mosques.
2018-06-04 10:04
Archbishop: Imam Khomeini always stressed freedom of religious minorities

TEHRAN, Jun. 03 (MNA) – The stance of Imam Khomeini towards establishing friendship between Islamic constitution and religious minorities have been successful and he always highlighted the freedom of these minorities, said Sebuh Sarkisian, the archbishop of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran.
2018-06-03 17:31
Iran dismisses US report on religious freedoms as baseless

TEHRAN, May 31 (MNA) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi has dismissed as untrue and politically-motivated the latest report by the US State Department about religious freedoms in Iran.
2018-05-31 16:02
Ethnic, religious minorities enjoying equal rights in Iran: Armenian bishop

TEHRAN, May 29 (MNA) – His Grace Bishop Krikor Chiftjian, Prelate of the Diocese of Iran’s Provinces of East and West Azerbaijan hailed the freedom of religious minorities in Iran and reassured that they enjoy equal civil rights with Muslims.
2018-05-29 21:02
By: Behnam Tofighi

Tehran hosts Assyrian Universal Alliance

TEHRAN, Apr. 11 (MNA) – The 50th establishment anniversary of Assyrian Universal Alliance was held in Tehran’s Laleh Hotel on Tuesday night in the presence of state and military officials.
2018-04-11 13:36
By: Aboulfazl Mohammadi

Zoroastrians celebrate annual feast of Sadeh in Yazd

TEHRAN, Jan. 31 (MNA) – Iranian central province of Yazd homes a big share of Iranian Zoroastrians. Zoroastrians celebrated the religious feast of "Jashn-e Sadeh" on Tuesday by burning firewood on an open space to signify the coming of spring and as a symbolic token of the eternal fight with mischief. The feast is marked on the tenth day of the eleventh month of Iranian calendar annually.
2018-01-31 13:18
Solidarity shown by public another victory over enemy

TEHRAN, Jan. 09 (MNA) – President Rouhani said on Tuesday that the solidarity among parties, factions and ethnic and religious minorities led to another victory over the enemies and ill-wishers of Iran.
2018-01-09 22:33
By: Yasser Nazifi Gilavan

Armenians celebrate New Year in Tehran

TEHRAN, Jan. 02 (MNA) – Iranian Armenians hold the Holy Communion rite late on December 31, into early hours of the New Year. In this video file you can see an excerpt of the ceremony filmed at Surp Targmanchats Church in Vahidiyeh of Tehran. According to unofficial accounts, more than 30000 Armenians live in Tehran now.
2018-01-02 14:53
Rouhani:

All religions share joys, sorrows in Iran

TEHRAN, Dec. 25 (MNA) – Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani visited family of Armenian martyr Georgekeshish Harutun on Christmas Eve and spoke with them in a cordial atmosphere.
2017-12-25 08:47
May, Trump leading countries further into environment of hate

TEHRAN, Jan. 28 (MNA) – Theresa May's visit to the US to meet its new president Donald Trump should not become another exercise in scapegoating minorities for the problems facing their own countries.
2017-01-28 09:28
Rouhani:

Citizenship Rights Charter ‘quintessence of Constitutional Revolution’

TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) – President Hassan Rouhani has said his campaign promise to save the economy has largely been fulfilled with single-digit inflation rate and a modest economic growth.
2016-12-19 13:13
Rouhani:

Ethnic, religious diversity opportunity for national unity

TEHRAN, Dec. 11 (MNA) – Iran’s Hassan Rouhani has told a meeting of Sunni clerics and religious leaders his government has priorities to maximize national unity through incorporating minority religious and ethnic groups into his government’s architecture.
2016-12-11 13:35