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Why must Iran Return to the Modern World as a Kingdom part one
Historical Overview of Iran’s Role in Promoting Religious Freedom and Providing Refuge
Cyrus the Great’s Proclamation to Free the Jews
In 539 BCE, Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, achieved a significant milestone in religious and cultural tolerance with his conquest of Babylon. This victory was not just a military success but also marked a profound humanitarian act through the issuance of a proclamation that ended the Babylonian Exile of the Jewish people. This decree, often referred to as the Edict of Cyrus, is documented in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Ezra (1:1-4). It highlights Cyrus’s directive that allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, which had been destroyed during their conquest by Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BCE.
The Edict of Cyrus is notable not only for its immediate impact—facilitating the return of approximately 42,360 Jews to their homeland—but also for its funding provisions. Cyrus supported the reconstruction efforts financially from the Persian treasury and ensured the return of sacred vessels that had been looted from the Temple. This policy was part of a broader strategy of governance that included the repatriation of various displaced peoples and the restoration of their religious sites, as detailed on the Cyrus Cylinder. This artifact, inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform, underscores Cyrus’s approach to fostering loyalty and stability within his diverse empire through acts of tolerance and restoration.
The significance of Cyrus’s actions extends into religious texts, where he is referred to as a “messiah” (anointed one) in Isaiah 45:1, recognized for his role in the divine plan of redemption. This period marked a pivotal moment in Jewish history, symbolizing a new era of religious freedom and national revival, and laid the foundation for the Second Temple period.
Iran’s Role as a Sanctuary for Jews During the Nazi Era
During the tumultuous years of World War II, Iran, then under the rule of Reza Shah Pahlavi, emerged as a crucial sanctuary for Jewish refugees escaping the horrors of Nazi persecution. This role was particularly significant given Iran’s strategic position and its nominal neutrality until the Allied occupation in 1941. The country became a transit hub and a temporary refuge for thousands of Jews, including the notable group known as the “Tehran Children.” This group consisted of approximately 1,000 Polish Jewish orphans who had survived the Holocaust and found safety in Iran in 1942 after being evacuated from Soviet orphanages to which they had been deported following the 1939 Nazi-Soviet partition of Poland.
The Tehran Children’s arrival in Iran was part of a larger movement of 24,000 Polish civilians and soldiers associated with Anders’ Army. They were allowed entry into Iran, where they received care in a makeshift orphanage at Dustan Tappeh military barracks near Tehran. Despite facing harsh conditions, the support from local Iranian Jews and international aid organizations facilitated their recovery and eventual relocation to Mandatory Palestine in 1943.
Additionally, Iran was a destination for several hundred German Jews who fled directly to the country after 1933. These individuals, often professionals and bourgeois families, sought refuge from the escalating anti-Semitic violence in Germany. They entered Iran via overland routes or ships, finding employment as teachers, doctors, and engineers, and contributed to the local economy while living in a state of “global transit.”
Iran’s commitment to providing refuge was further exemplified by the actions of Iranian diplomat Abdol-Hossein Sardari, who, during his tenure in Nazi-occupied France from 1940 to 1943, facilitated the escape of over 2,000 Iranian and European Jews by forging passports and exploiting loopholes in Nazi racial laws. Sardari’s efforts, which earned him the nickname “Iranian Schindler,” underscored a continued tradition of Iranian support for Jewish populations in distress, a policy with roots traceable back to the ancient decree of Cyrus the Great.
These historical episodes highlight Iran’s longstanding tradition of religious tolerance and humanitarian support, reflecting a complex interplay of cultural, political, and social factors that have shaped its history as a nation committed to principles of freedom and refuge.
