Reactions to 'Offensive' Remarks by IRIB Host Regarding Ferdows Kaviani's Zoroastrianism

Reactions continue to the remarks made by an IRIB host regarding the Zoroastrian identity of Ferdows Kaviani, the Iranian actor who passed away on Sunday, October 1. Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, an IRIB host, wrote on social media platform X after Kaviani's death that he was 'Zoroastrian, but God willing, because of the happy moments he created for us, the Commander of the Faithful will welcome him with a smiling face.' This message faced significant criticism, with many users, especially Iranian artists, describing it as 'offensive.' At the memorial and burial ceremony for Ferdows Kaviani held on Tuesday, October 3, several attendees referred to this issue. Asghar Hemmat, an actor who hosted the ceremony, called Ferdows Kaviani a symbol of good thoughts, good deeds, and good words, stating: 'That photo with five actors from the Friendship Agency, I think after those five main figures, there are five secondary figures. Now three of them are no longer with us.' Esfandiar Ekhtiyari, the representative of Zoroastrians in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, said: 'I send greetings to Iran, this precious land, and also greetings to the artists of Iran and the late master Ferdows Kaviani, who was a Zoroastrian Iranian but had no enemies.' ISNA reported that Mr. Ekhtiyari's reference was 'to the insulting tweet by one of the IRIB hosts regarding Ferdows Kaviani's Zoroastrianism.' This parliament member added: 'He loved Iranian culture, born in the month of Mehr and passed away in this month. He left us in a month when we celebrate Mehrgan, and I believe the gift he left us was joy and light. However, we believe he belongs in the abode of light and is still with us. He was our distinguished Zoroastrian who received many awards, and his greatest award was our hearts.' Pejman Bazighi, head of the Actors Association of the House of Cinema, expressed condolences to the theater and cinema community, Zoroastrians, and the people of Kerman, noting that he wore white in their honor, stating: 'I learned discipline as a young man in the series Friendship Agency while there is always talk in the association about the disorder of young actors.' He added: 'We lost the last great comedic actor of Iran, and I wish we valued our elders in this art more.' In another part of the ceremony, Armita Kaviani, Ferdows Kaviani's daughter, said: 'His name was Ferdows. He was born in the month of Mehr and went to Ferdows the day before the Mehrgan festival.' She added: 'Dad was full of affection, love, and friendship. He did not know the meaning of hatred, lies, and enmity. He loved Iran; his concern was for Iran and his compatriots, both inside the country and Iranians outside of Iran. I have seen Iran alongside my father for years, especially in these two days when everyone lovingly remembered my father's name.' Armita Kaviani also expressed gratitude to her mother for the love she always had for her father. At the end of the ceremony, attendees accompanied Ferdows Kaviani's body to the Zoroastrian cemetery for burial. Ferdows Kaviani was a veteran actor in Iranian cinema, theater, and television, who gained significant popularity due to some of his roles, especially after the 1979 revolution, such as in the film 'The Tenants' and television series 'Friendship Agency' and 'Spouses.'