By definition, the Persians are an ethnic group native to Iran. The Persian language, called Farsi, is part of the Indo‐Iranian language family, and is the official language of Iran. About 65% of Iranians speaks Farsi as their mother tongue.

Around 1000 B.C., Persian groups began to settle in the territory that is now Iran. Loosely associated Persian tribes became a more cohesive political unit under the Achaemenian dynasty. Their unity soon made them the dominant ethnic group in the region.

For 1,200 years, Persia maintained a culture that became increasingly more complex and rigid. This laid the foundation for a successful Arabian conquest in the seventh century A.D. It was not until the Islamic revolution of 1979 that massive changes came both to Iran and to the Persian people. Although the vast majority of Persians now live either in Iran or in one of the nearby Middle Eastern countries, small Persian communities can also be found in many other nations around the world.

Their Lives

In the Middle East, about half of the Farsi are farmers who depend heavily on primitive methods of artificial irrigation. They also make crafts such as hand woven items, rugs, and pottery. The production of oil has also provided numerous jobs.

The typical, rural, Persian home is a single‐story dwelling made of clay. It is constructed with a framework of wooden columns, a flat roof, and no windows.

Urban Persians are more or less divided into five well‐defined social classes. The lowest class is made up of former villagers and unskilled laborers who flocked to the towns between the late 1950's and the early 1970's. This class forms a majority of the local market craftsmen. At the top of the strata are real estate investors, merchants, and other commercial and industrial businessmen. The priests and other clergymen make up a class known as the ulama.

The basic social unit in Persian culture is the traditional patriarchal family. Their society is strictly male dominated.Persian women are submissive in public; however, they often hold a considerable amount of decision-making power in private. Men are guardians and defenders of the family honor and protectors of the chastity of their daughters and sisters. Marriages are still arranged, but only after negotiation and approval by both sets of relatives. Marriages between cousins are preferred.

Their Beliefs

Prior to the Arab invasions, the Persian religion was Zoroastrianism. This religion taught there was an eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil. Shiite Islam became the national religion of Iran in the 16th century, at which time the ulama (clergy) began playing an important role in both the social and political lives of the people.

Today, most Persians are Shia Muslims of the Ithna Ashari branch, and are radical in their adherence to Islamic laws and principles.

Islam is a major world religion that is based on the teachings of Mohammed, the prophet. The Koran, or holy book of Islam, was said to have been given to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel. There are five essential duties in Islam: (1) A Muslim must affirm that "there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet." (2) Five times a day he must pray while facing Mecca. (3) He must give alms generously. (4) He must fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year. (5) He must try to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in his lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited to drink alcohol, eat pork, gamble, steal, use deceit, slander, and make idols.

The Islamic world is extremely difficult to penetrate with the Gospel. Fundamental Muslims are very outspoken, even militant, against Christianity. Much prayer is needed to break down the barriers separating them from the Truth.