Yarsanis in Iran: Centuries of Living with Rights Violations and Discrimination
The Yarsanis (Yarsan Faith) are followers of one of Iran’s ancient religions, with roots in the Zagros cultural region. Their faith emphasizes values such as truthfulness, purity, humility, and generosity. Yarsanis follow the spiritual guidance of the “Pir” (spiritual guide) and practice their religion within family lineages. Their sacred texts are compiled in a collection known as the “Divane Gooreh”. The Yarsani population is estimated to be between 2 and 3 million. However, due to the principle of religious discretion (Untold Secret) and ongoing discrimination and pressure, many Yarsanis do not publicly disclose their religious identity and are often officially recorded as Muslims.
