SOAS (The School of Oriental and African Studies) University of London has secured a donation of £5 million to create a world-leading ‘SOAS Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies’, a resource dedicated to enhancing research, learning and teaching in the field of one of the world’s oldest religions. The institute will be co-chaired by lecturer in Zoroastrianism, Dr. Sarah Stewart, and Professor Almut Hintze FBA, Zartoshty Brothers Professor of Zoroastrianism.

SOAS has secured a commitment of £5 million, over three years, which will see the creation of Shapoorji Pallonji Scholarships and a long-term endowment for Shapoorji Pallonji Lectureship in the Department of the Study of Religion by Dr. Stewart in Zoroastrian Studies, along with enabling a wide range of public engagement. Director of SOAS, Baroness Valerie Amos CH, was reported to have said, “Based in London, the home of the oldest Zoroastrian diaspora community outside India and Iran, SOAS is the perfect place to be home to an Institute of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism has been studied at SOAS for nearly ninety years and through this donation we will be able to enhance our research and teaching in Zoroastrian studies and strengthen our relationship with the Zoroastrian Community.” Chairman of Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Shapoor Mistry said, “Through the creation of the Institute, Lectureship and Scholarships, this donation will ensure that SOAS continues to develop as the world’s leading centre of Zoroastrian Studies, advancing in perpetuity the understanding and appreciation of this ancient religion and its history, culture, languages and peoples.”