Once a Zoroastrian family was forced to convert to Islam, the children were sent to an Islamic school to learn Arabic and study the teachings of Islam, as a result some of these people lost their Zoroastrian faith. Most were forced to convert due to the systematic abuse and discrimination inflicted upon them by followers of Islam. Over time, the persecution of Zoroastrians became more common and widespread, and the number of believers decreased by force significantly. Gradually an increasing number of laws were passed which regulated Zoroastrian behavior and limited their ability to participate in society. Many libraries were burned and much of their cultural heritage was lost. Zoroastrian places of worship were desecrated, fire temples were destroyed and mosques were built in their place. Zoroastrians living under Muslim rule were required to pay a tax called jizya. Muslims are recorded to have destroyed fire temples. The discrimination and harassment began in the form of sparse violence and forced conversions. The persecution of Zoroastrians occurred throughout the religion's history. Persecution of Zoroastrians is the religious persecution inflicted upon the followers of the Zoroastrian faith.
