Population: 77 million
Number of Ismailis: Unknown, several thousand
Key Areas: Alamut - site of Hasan-i Sabbah's legendary castle
The Ismailis of Iran have perhaps the longest, unbroken history of any Ismaili community and Iran has played a key role in each episode of Ismaili history. The founders of the Fatimid Caliphate began there, Hasan-i Sabbah was born Persian and grew his empire there, and the Aga Khans themselves are originally Iranian.
Interestingly, several Ismaili motifs, particularly architectural, take their lead from the ancient Persian religion of Zoroastrianism.
Despite the well-known problems in the country and persecution of religious minorities, Iran is 89% Shia and consequently Ismailis enjoy relative freedom. Nevertheless, very little information is available about this minority community and it's possible that, following an established Ismaili principle, many of them disguise themselves as regular Shia.
Originally published 2 years ago