Zoroastrians have a long and rich history in the United Kingdom, with the community being one of the oldest-established outside of Iran and the Indian Subcontinent.
The first recorded arrival of a Parsi Zoroastrian, Navroji Rustomji Seth, dates back to 1724, marking the beginning of a significant diaspora. Over the years, the community has flourished, contributing to various sectors while preserving their faith and culture.
The formalisation of the Zoroastrian presence in the UK began in 1861, when Seth Muncherji Hormusji Cama, a senior partner of the first Indian mercantile firm in London, proposed establishing a religious fund for Zoroastrians in Europe. This initiative was supported by key figures like Dr Dadabhai Naoroji, India’s first Member of Parliament in the UK, and led to the creation of the European Zoroastrian Association.
In its early days, the community numbered only around 50 members, but with the support of influential patrons such as Ardeshirji Khurshedji Wadia and Dr Naoroji, the association laid the groundwork for a vibrant community.
Thriving in the modern world
Today, the Zoroastrian community in the UK has made significant strides, not only preserving their religious and cultural identity but also making notable contributions across a wide range of sectors, from business, armed forces and politics to the arts and civil service.
Malcolm Deboo, currently the 26th elected president of Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE), feels that coming to a new country, starting over, and achieving a decent standard of living through hard work has been a significant accomplishment for many in the community. He said, “We have made sure our children were educated, and now many of them, as adults, have been very successful in careers across both the public and private sectors.
“These individuals have overcome obstacles, including facing racism, but we have managed to progress.”
One such individual is Lord Karan Bilimoria, a British Indian entrepreneur, member of the House of Lords, and former Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, who, in a conversation with Asian Voice shared his love for his culture and community. He said, “I’m very proud to be part of the Zoroastrian Parsi community, one of the smallest communities in the world, with only about 100,000 people globally and 5,000 in the UK. As a patron of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, I work to preserve and promote our heritage.
“The Parsi community is known for its integrity and excellence. When I met Narayana Murthy of Infosys, his first words to me were, ‘I’ve never met a bad Parsi.’ This reputation stems from our values and our ancient religion, Zoroastrianism, which dates back to 1500 BC and has influenced many major world religions.
“For me, the late Ratan Tata, a proud Parsi, exemplified these values.”
Sarosh Zaiwalla, Senior Partner and Founder of Zaiwalla & Co, a London-based specialist international arbitration and litigation law firm, is another community member who has done extremely well for himself. He established his renowned law firm in 1982, carving a niche in the highly competitive legal landscape of the City of London. His career, spanning over 1200 international arbitrations, has seen him represent prestigious clients such as the President of India, China National Petroleum Corporation, Bank Mellat, and NIDC of Iran.
His father’s inspiration and the influence of Parsi values has been a cornerstone of Zaiwalla’s approach to both life and philanthropy. "Having principles and values in life is essential," he reflects. "Courage is also crucial. When I started my firm, many doubted that a business run by a Parsi in the heart of London would succeed. But I was determined to prove that quality cases could be handled with integrity, without disrupting the existing systems in place."
Charity has always been at the heart of the Parsi community, as reflected in the Zoroastrian principle of giving and Zaiwalla’s philanthropic endeavours are deeply rooted in these values. He established the Ratanshaw Bomanjee Zaiwalla Scholarship at Oxford University’s Somerville College, in memory of his late father.
The scholarship supports one Indian student pursuing postgraduate studies, continuing the family’s legacy of education and community support. "The scholarship has been running for a few years now. It’s a way for me to give back to the community and help future generations of scholars."
Challenges and awareness
Despite their contributions, the community often remains relatively unknown to the wider public being “under the radar”, a challenge many Zoroastrians continue to address through education and outreach.
Zoroastrians are frequently met with curiosity when they introduce themselves. Deboo notes, “When we say we are Zoroastrians, people often ask, ‘What is that?’” This challenge is compounded by the fact that even famous individuals such as the legendary Freddie Mercury, who was born into a Zoroastrian family, are often not recognised as part of the community, many unfamiliar with their history and the contributions they’ve made.
The Zoroastrian community has historically faced extreme persecution in various countries, including Iran and Afghanistan. Even today Zoroastrians continue to incur severe prejudice and are officially second class citizens in Iran, Pakistan, and many countries in this region do not recognise Zoroastrianism as a religion. But despite these challenges, they have continued to contribute to society. In India, where they have been warmly welcomed, Zoroastrians have played an integral role in the nation’s growth. In the UK, they have similarly prospered, contributing to sectors such as business, the armed forces, and the civil service.
Zoroastrians take pride in their ability to maintain their identity while also giving back to the nations they live in, including the UK, which has provided them with opportunities for success.
Commitment to giving back
Deboo emphasises that the Zoroastrian community is proud to be British and that their contributions are rooted in a deep sense of belonging to the UK.
“We all have a responsibility to appreciate what this country has allowed us to do and achieve,” he asserts. The community continues to give back in various ways—from politics and the civil service to private sector enterprises—acknowledging the opportunities the UK has provided them. “We should continue to give back to the nation, ensuring that we help build a better future for everyone.”
Sarosh Zaiwalla adds to the giving sentiment stating, “Despite being a small community of around 150,000 to 160,000 worldwide, the Parsi community has made an outsized impact. "Look at the businesses in India, like Godrej, TATA and many others. For such a small community, their contributions have been extraordinary. A company led by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla and his son Adar Poonawalla was even responsible for arranging the COVID vaccine."
