Gathered around a ring of fire, the faces of chanting Zoroastrian worshippers are lit like demons. It looks like a satanic ritual, yet this is a ceremony of the first religion to believe in a single omnipresent God, a religion at least 4000 years old. Today there are thousands of followers in the ancient Persian cities of Yazd and Chak. Tough heritage preservation laws protect their architectural gems. And in direct contrast to the persecution experienced by Iran's other minority religions, Zoroastrians receive respect from the mullahs. They regard Zoroastrianism as part of Islam's heritage and do not force followers to convert to modern Islam. However this spirit of religious tolerance is tinged with economic pragmatism. Tourists flock to see the ancient towns providing a rare stream of top-dollar revenue. It's a rare prize for a nation that has isolated itself from the global economy for so long.

Produced by ABC Australia