Zoroastrians Abroad
Diaper dispute
"Awesta its the best baby diaper. It’s aurupa quality no need think more because we have the best all materials from Japan, USA and German. Thin, no perfume, comfortable and high observation. The most important Soft and dry,” claims a Facebook post in faulty English.

The choice of the name Awesta for a baby diaper has reportedly outraged the sensibilities of Zoroastrians in the Kurdistan region, it was reported by Rudaw, a private online newspaper published by the Rudaw Media Company in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq. Threatening the diaper company with a lawsuit, Zoroastrian leaders of the region explained that Avesta being the name of their sacred texts, it is holy to their followers. Awat lsa, a leader of the Yasna organization that represents Zoroastrians in the Kurdistan region was quoted by Rudaw as stating their "religious minority has never disrespected other faiths.” The diaper company should immediately change the name of its baby product, they demanded.
Denying accusations that it was an intentional slight to Zoroastrians, the owner of the diaper company Hassan Tahir claimed that the brand name is popular among customers and changing it would result in a financial blow to the company. He further added that he would consider changing the name only if he was assured of suitable monetary compensation.
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One reader wrote
One wonders why an Arab should use the name of Avesta except for insulting the Avesta religion.
From the archive
