Bringing much pride onto the global Zoroastrian community, the US Congress and Hon. Congressman Lou Correa officially recognized the enduring contributions of Zoroastrian culture to global commerce and trade. The Congressional Record, issued on 21^stSeptember, 2025, acknowledges the profound influence of our ancient faith on some of humanity’s most fundamental economic and civilizational systems.

This recognition is deeply significant considering that Zoroastrians comprise barely 0.0018% of the world’s population. Yet, over the past 2,500 years, the community has contributed transformative ideas that continue to shape modern life. Among the most pivotal was the shift from the barter system to currency-based trade – a concept introduced around 500 BCE by Darius the Great. This revolutionary innovation laid the foundation for global commerce, enabling individuals to exchange currency for goods and services, an activity repeated billions of times daily across the world.

Darius also built the famed Royal Road stretching 1,500 miles from Persia to Western Turkey, initiated a waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean – the precursor to today’s Suez Canal, and established the world’s first postal system, which has evolved into today’s vast e-commerce networks. His successor, Artaxerxes, created the first passport in 450 BCE, a tool still vital to global mobility.As a special mention Darius the Great and Arta-Xerxes were blessed with Divine Providence. Darius the Great is mentioned 25 times in the Old Bible and Arta- Xerxes 14 times.

The continued relevance of these legacies is evident today. China leads the world in e-commerce and trade volume through the Suez Canal, while India has seen its GDP soar from $0.3 trillion in 1990 to an estimated $4.2 trillion in 2025 after liberalizing market controls. Over 35% of India’s trade passes through the Suez Canal, and the country now has the second-largest online shopper base and ranks among the top passport issuers globally.

Commerce, trade, postal systems and passports – all Zoroastrian innovations, remain indispensable to human civilization. The US Congressional recognition is, therefore, a monumental tribute to our small yet profoundly impactful community whose contributions continue to shape the modern world.