Zoroastrian Origins and Key Organisations in the UK

• The majority of early Zoroastrian migrants were of Indian origin and known as Parsees or Parsis.

• The first three Members of Parliament of Asian ethnic origin were all Parsis, trhe first of which was (in 1892) Dadabhai Naoroji, elected as a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party.

• In more recent years an Iranian Zoroastrian presence has also developed as a result of refugee movement and migration following the Iranian revolution.

• Parsis form the majority of Zoroastrians in the UK, with Iranis in a minority. While there are many things that are shared, there are also a number of differences (see A Short Introduction to Zoroastrianism) between the two groups.

• The Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (Incorporated), established in 1861, is the oldest Zoroastrian organisation in the UK (known since 1978 under its present name).

• The Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (Incorporated) has a centre in West Hampstead, London and has recently opened a new Centre in which it is hoped to have a fire temple.

• The World Zoroastrian Organisation is also based in London.

Written by Professor Paul Weller