Iranian Minorities


Figure 1.--.

Iran is a highly diverse country. The various groups with some exceptions have coexisted fairly amnicably. The fundamentalist Iranian Revolution (1979) has been less willing to tolerate diversity. This is especially the case ethnically. The dominant Persian ethnic group constitute more than half the population and inhabit most of the Iranian Plateau of central Iran. The various ethnic minorities are related on tge perifery of the country. This has created problems with neigboring states, especially modern Iraq--a continuation of the historic conflict between Arabs and Persians. Interethnic relations have caused some problems for modern Iran because several of the other ethnic groups have demanded autonomy or independence, something the dominant Perians have effectively resisted. The principal ethno-linguistic minority groups in Iran are: Arabs, Armenians, Assyrians, Azeris, Baluchis, Georgians, Jews, Kurds, and Turkmen, There are also tribal minority groups, including the Bakhtiaris, Khamseh, Lurs, Qashqai, and others. There are religious minorities which tend to overlap with the ethnic minority groups. Most Iranians are Muslim, but there are different Islamic traditions. The Persians are primarily Shi'ia while Aerabs and some of the other ethnic groups are Sunni. Almost all of tge small Jewish minority has fled Iran. The Iranian fundamentalist regime has target the country's Baha'i community.

Ethnic-Linguistic Minorities

Iran as the sucessor state of the ancient Persian Empire is a highly diverse country. The various groups with some exceptions have coexisted fairly amnicably. The fundamentalist Iranian Revolution (1979) has been less willing to tolerate diversity. This is especially the case ethnically. The dominant Persian ethnic group constitute more than half the population and inhabit most of the Iranian Plateau of central Iran. The various ethnic minorities are related on tge perifery of the country. This has created problems with neigboring states, especially modern Iraq--a continuation of the historic conflict between Arabs and Persians. Interethnic relations have caused some problems for modern Iran because several of the other ethnic groups have demanded autonomy or independence, something the dominant Perians have effectively resisted. The principal ethno-linguistic minority groups in Iran are: Arabs, Armenians, Assyrians, Azeris, Baluchis, Georgians, Jews, Kurds, and Turkmen. The Arab minority is part of a centuries old conflict. the Soviets used the Azeris as partvof their attempt to establish prrmanent presece in Iran during World War II. The Kurds have aspired for a state, but being scattered among Turkey, Iraq, abhd Iran this has proven difficult.

Tribal Minorities

There are also tribal minority groups, including the Bakhtiaris, Khamseh, Lurs, Qashqai, and others.

Religious Minorities

There are religious minorities which tend to overlap with the ethnic minority groups. Most Iranians are Muslim, but there are different Islamic traditions. The Persians are primarily Shi'ia while Arabs and some of the other ethnic groups are predominately Sunni. Almost all of tge small Jewish minority has fled Iran. The Iranian fundamentalist regime has target the country's Baha'i community.

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Created: 10:47 PM 12/23/2010
Last updated: 10:47 PM 12/23/2010