Zoroastrianism in Pakistan
There are at least 4,000 Pakistani citizen practicing the Zoroastrian religion.[1] The region of Balochistan is believed to be a stronghold of Zoroastrianism before the advent of Islam.[2][3] With the flight of Zoroastrians from Greater Iran into the Indian subcontinent, the Parsi communities were established. More recently, from the 15th century onwards, Zorastrians came to settle the coast of Sindh and have established thriving communities and commercial enterprises. At the time of independence of Pakistan in 1947, Karachi and Lahore were home to a thriving Parsi business community. Karachi had the most prominent population of Parsis in Pakistan, though their population is declining.[4][5] Parsis have entered Pakistani public life as social workers, business folk, journalists and diplomats. The most prominent Parsis of Pakistan today include Ardeshir Cowasjee, Byram Dinshawji Avari, Jamsheed Marker, as well as Minocher Bhandara. The founding father of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, married Ratti Bai who belonged to a Parsi family before her conversion to Islam.[6]
References[edit]
- ↑ Ghauri, Irfan (2012-09-02). "Over 35,000 Buddhists, Baha'is call Pakistan home". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
- ↑ Zeb, Rizwan (2019-12-12). Ethno-political Conflict in Pakistan: The Baloch Movement. Routledge. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-000-72992-4. Search this book on
- ↑ Boyajian, Vahe S. (19 December 2016). "Is There an Ethno-religious Aspect in Balochi Identity?". Iran and the Caucasus. 20 (3–4): 397–405. doi:10.1163/1573384X-20160309. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
- ↑ "'Two decades from now, Pakistan will have no Parsis'". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ↑ "In a shrinking community, one Parsi family chooses Pakistan". The Express Tribune. 2019-12-13. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
- ↑ "Quaid i Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah: Early days". Government of Pakistan. Archived from the original on 2008-10-24. Unknown parameter
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