MPs representing the religious minorities in Iran’s Parliament

Pars Today - Iran’s religious minorities, along with the rest of their compatriots, flocked to the polling booths on Friday March 1 to vote for candidates of their choice from their own communities as representatives for the 12th 4-year term of the Majlis – as the parliament or Islamic Consultative Assembly is known.

According to the Islamic Republic’s constitution, Iran’s religious minorities enjoy equal rights and freedom like all other citizens within the framework of national laws, and are free to follow and practice their rites and rituals. They have their own places of worship.

According to Article 64 of the Constitution, each religious minority sect is allowed to elect one person to the parliament.

Ara Shaverdian, who represented the Northern Armenian Christians in the 11^th Parliament, retained his seat as a MP by a majority of 80% of the votes.

For the Southern Armenian Christians, however, Gegard Masourian beat incumbent Robert Biglerian to gain the parliamentary seat for his community.

MP Charlie Enouye Tekeh of the Assyrian-Chaldean sect retained his parliamentary seat by gaining a 90 percent majority of votes of his community for the 12^th Parliament.

Iran’s Jewish citizens, who are fiercely anti-Zionists and have denounced Israel’s ongoing holocaust of the Palestinians in Gaza, cast the majority of their votes for sitting MP Homayun Sameyah to continue to represent them in the Majlis.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Zoroastrian community, elected Mrs. Behshid Barkhordar as their new representative in the Iranian Majlis, as MP Esfandiar Ekhtiari lost his seat in the elections.

Following is Barkhordar’s message which was issued after her the elections result.

“With the help of Ahura Mazda, greetings with utmost respect and courtesy

“Hereby, I would like to express my gratitude to each of my fellow believers, the executive and election committees, forum chairpersons, different departments and organizations, and all the intellectuals who supported me with their wisdom, empathy and cooperation in the way of serving the (Zoroastrian) community and electing me as their representative in the 12^th Parliamentary Elections.

“With the help of Ahura Mazda, I promise to be a faithful servant and repay the favour of each and every follower of my sect with honesty and truthfulness.”

SS