Zoroastrianism in Azerbaijan of the world`s oldest religions Zoroastrianism was also practiced in the territory of Azerbaijan in ancient times. Zoroastrianism, sharing its name with its founder Iranian prophet Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra), was the first monotheistic belief in the world and the official religion in Persia from 600 BCE to 650 CE. Zoroastrians believed that a god called Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) created the universe. Sacred book of Zoroastrianism Avesta consists of two main sections: the oldest section contains the Gathas including seventeen hymns and the younger Avesta containing commentaries to the older one. It also includes myths, stories and details
Mehrdad Avesta Mehrdad Avesta Mehrdad Avesta (; 8 August 1930 – 6 May 1991) was an Iranian contemporary poet. Mohammad Reza Rahmani, publicly known as Mehrdad Avesta, was born in Borujerd into a literature and art-oriented family. When he was young, he changed his first name from Mohammad Reza to Mehrdad and his family name from Rahmani to Avesta in order to show his passion for ancient Persian culture. Avesta entered the University of Tehran in 1948 and finished his academic studies in same university with a M.A. degree in Philosophy. When he was 25 years old, he started teaching literature, philosophy