The Origins of PCASA
The Persian Cultural Association of South Australia was established several decades ago by members of the Persian community seeking to create a shared cultural space for Persians living in South Australia. The founders of the Association belonged to a generation that had lived through some of the most consequential and turbulent events in modern Iranian history, including the Pahlavi Monarchy, the 1979 Islamic revolution, the Iran–Iraq war, and the political and social upheavals that followed. Many had personally witnessed how deeply political and religious divisions could shape communities, relationships, and institutions.
A Community with Many Views
From the beginning, the founders recognised that the Persian diaspora contains diverse — and sometimes strongly polarised — political and ideological views. Within the community one may encounter individuals who identify with:
- republican movements
- reformist movements
- monarchist movements
- secular democratic movements
- leftist traditions
- diversity of religions
- ethnic political movements
- or many other viewpoints.
Others may choose not to align with any political ideology at all. Political beliefs can also change over time as events unfold and perspectives evolve. This raises an important question:
How can a cultural organisation formed on the basis of shared heritage reasonably exclude individuals whose political views may differ — or change — over the course of their lives?
Afterall, we are all Iranian-Australians.
The Founders’ Principle
For this reason, PCASA was deliberately established as a non-profit cultural organisation independent of political, religious, or organisational affiliations, as reflected in its Constitution. The intention was to create a community institution that could bring people together, rather than one that could be divided by political alignments. PCASA therefore focuses on:
- promoting Persian culture
- strengthening community solidarity
- supporting cultural, artistic, educational, and social programs
- contributing to the multicultural life of South Australia
Ongoing Community Discussion
In recent years, members of the community have expressed differing views about whether organisations such as PCASA should take a more active role in political advocacy relating to events in Iran. These discussions have emerged during various moments in recent decades, including the Green Movement, the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, and ongoing developments affecting Iran and the Iranian diaspora in 2026. The Board recognises that these discussions arise from genuine concern, deep emotional connections to Iran, and a shared desire to see justice, dignity, and freedom for the Iranian people.
The Role of a Cultural Institution
At the same time, PCASA must remain mindful of its founding principles and its responsibilities as a community organisation in Australia. Australian governments — including under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese — have emphasised the importance of social cohesion within multicultural communities. In this context, organisations such as PCASA help preserve shared civic spaces where individuals of diverse backgrounds and views can continue to engage with one another through culture, community life, and shared heritage. Recent global events also illustrate how international conflicts can deepen disagreements within diaspora communities. The highly contested reactions to the recent Israeli–American military actions involving Iran demonstrate how events abroad can quickly become divisive issues within diaspora communities worldwide. For this reason, the principle of institutional political neutrality remains as important today as it was when the Association was founded. Neutrality allows PCASA to remain a cultural home for the entire community, regardless of political belief.
Civic Participation and the Role of the Community
PCASA’s neutrality should not be interpreted as discouraging political engagement by the broader Persian diaspora. To the contrary, the Association encourages:
- active civic participation
- engagement with policymakers and public institutions
- dialogue with political parties and decision-makers
- advocacy by individuals and other community organisations.
Such participation is a fundamental democratic right. PCASA’s role is to ensure that a shared cultural space continues to exist where people with differing views can remain connected through heritage, culture, and community life. The Association seeks to act as an honest arbiter of shared community principles, supporting an environment where the rights and dignity of all members of the Persian community can be respected — regardless of political or religious views.