Isfahan, Jan. 16, 2010 (Hamsayeh.Net) - Iran is the only country in the whole world where the followers of the Jewish religion enjoy full freedom to practice their beliefs, culture and rituals.

 

This is the opinion of the Iranian Jewish community representative to Majlis, Siyamak Marre Sedq in a meeting with the governor of Isfahan Province, Alireza Zaker Esfhani, in the city of Isfahan yesterday.

 

According to Marre Sedq, Iranian Jews in Isfahan enjoy an even more privileged status due to their historic affinity with the province dating back to biblical times when the early Jewish migration to Iran commenced. Iran at that time was ruled by some benevolent kings that gave the Jewish people full freedom in comparison to their being oppressed by successive despots of the ancient Babylon over many centuries.

 

Marre Sedq also spoke about his trip to New York when he accompanied the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinajed. He said many people became surprised to hear that the Iranian Jews enjoyed a high level of freedom in Iran.

 

Iran has one the largest Jewish communities in the Middle East. Latest estimate of the Jewish population in Iran stands at around 40,000 with 25,000 residing in Tehran. The historic city of Isfahan also has one of the largest Jewish communities outside of Tehran.