Muslims Respect Zoroastrians as Monotheist: Karrubi

December 13, 2003 - 0:0
TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karrubi said that Muslims regard Zoroastrians as followers of a monotheistic faith.

Speaking at the ceremony commemorating the 3,000th anniversary of the Zoroastrian culture, he added that Muslims are of the idea that their Zoroastrian compatriots believe in God.

"Iranian Muslims take pride in their ancestors' monotheist faith and their belief in the divine Zoroastrian belief before the advent of Islam in their land," he added.

The officials added that a great prophet called Zoroaster was assigned to call Iranians to 'right deeds, words and thought' several centuries before the advent of Islam.

Expressing satisfaction over meeting the Zoroastrian compatriots, he prayed God for their prosperity as well as bestowal of the material and spiritual divine favors upon them alongside the Muslims, Christians and Jews.

"The Zoroastrians are well aware that in accordance with Iran's situation, the divine beliefs such as monotheist Zoroastrian faith have been recognized officially," he added.

Turning to the fact that many Muslim jurisprudents including those of Shia faith have acknowledged that Zoroastrians have been bestowed with a divine manuscript, he reiterated that the great Quran has called upon the Muslim prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to call the possessors of such Divine messages to unity and consensus on the basis of their commonalties.

"The Lord has called upon the disciples of the Divine manuscripts to get along with one another in line with the common dimensions of both religions," he added.

Karrubi pointed to unification, prophecy and resurrection as the common principles of Islam and Zoroastrian faith as well as other Islamic sects.

"Despite the distinction of interpretation of virtue and vice by the Zoroastrians and Muslims, both have pointed to the auspicious and promising end of the being.

"It's no wonder that the idea of 'right deeds, words and thought' has been repeated in Islam in different expressions," he added.

Majlis speaker stressed that every individual with any religion including Islam, Zoroastrian religion and Christianity who gives way to personal desires or atrocious powers gets away from the Divine faith and message.