Daily Star, Lebanon
Sept 17 2004
Iranian Christian leads lonely existence
‘I cannot find a wife and do not want a Muslim girl’
By Paul Cochrane
SHIRAZ, Iran: Michael Kolahdozan, 28, is one of two Catholics in
this southern Iranian city that is famous historically for its poets,
wine and proximity to the ancient Achaemenid palace of Persepolis.
The only other Catholic in town is Kolahdozan’s brother.
“He is not really practicing though, and he has a Muslim girlfriend,
so it’s just me and my faith,” he said.
“I go to an Anglican church here as there is no Catholic service.
There is in Esfahan and Tehran, but they are Armenian Catholic
churches, and I don’t speak Armenian,” he added.
“It is a big problem for me as I cannot find a wife and do not want
a Muslim girl,” he said. “The only women I could marry would be in
Tehran, but they are mainly foreigners – I want somebody who can
speak my language,” he added.
Kolahdozan takes his religion seriously, going to hospitals to pray
for the sick and helping out at orphanages.
“It is a good way to atone for one’s sins,” he said, fingering the
cross around his neck that was hidden under his shirt.
Due to a minority of Shiraz being Jewish, Kolahdozan said he identifies
with them and goes to the synagogue occasionally.
“It is interesting to witness how they worship, and see the roots of my
religion. We get on well, the Christians and the Jews here,” he added.
Kolahdozan’s parents now live in Australia, and his sister lives
in London.
“I grew up here and I wanted to stay as I don’t speak English well and
am an Iranian at heart,” he said. “My sister has become so British she
hardly speaks Farsi anymore – I wouldn’t like to loose my heritage.”
Kolahdozan’s father left him a sizeable amount of money, and after
finishing a master’s degree in psychology at the University of Shiraz,
he opened a bookshop with his brother.
“I don’t need to work, but I like books. It is easy work too, and
one reason I wouldn’t like to leave is because I would have to work
very hard in Europe or Australia. I would have a small apartment,
no servant … Life is much easier here even though I struggle
religiously,” he said.