Title

We, the Zoroastrian Women: Voices of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow

Abstract

The Zoroastrian community worldwide is blessed with dynamic and successful women who have carved themselves a place in the global arena. They are represented in many fields of endeavor and are strong role models.

With their progressive vision, hard work and devotion to their families they magnificently hold our culture and faith together in a fast-moving world. Yet there are so few women holding positions of influence and leadership in our Zoroastrian communities. How can we change that to honor the wisdom and selfless service of our outstanding women?

Zerbanoo Gifford, human rights activist, author, and founder of the ASHA Centre, in England, will lead the distinguished and diverse panelists from around the world. They will have an honest conversation on how Zoroastrian women can redefine their roles and claim their rightful place in partnership with men in our communities.

Ideas will be exchanged with those attending the session and hopefully an action plan will evolve that will unite our community in supporting our women into positions of real leadership.

The afternoon will end with the launch of a legacy project, the new website ‘ZASHA’ which will connect our community and celebrate our women’s achievements.

Speaker

Shahin Bekhradnia is the granddaughter of a renowned Iranian Zoroastrian priest, poet, stargazer and mathematician. She was born and grew up in England, obtained her undergraduate degree in Modern Languages and post-graduate degree in Anthropology from Oxford University. She founded a successful 6th form college & language school in Oxford, and was a teacher, interpreter for the immigration appellate, and a legal consultant for a tour operator.

She has completed 29 years of service as a magistrate in the criminal and family courts in Oxfordshire. Shahin is also a long-standing trustee for SMART, which helps people marginalized by substance abuse and homelessness find their way back into society. Shahin started the Pourchista Skills Foundation in Yazd Iran to enable young women to earn a living and helped to open a senior citizens’ day center in the same town. She has stood as a candidate for the green party and is known and respected for her detailed knowledge on environmental policies.

Shahin was the past-president of the World Zoroastrian Organization (WZO UK)

Speaker

Katayun Kapadia has held many leadership positions in the community. She has served on the executive board of FEZANA as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President. She served as Secretary, Treasurer and President of her local association, ZAPANJ – the Zoroastrian Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. During her stay in Paris, she served as Treasurer and Vice President and was on the Board of Trustees of the Zoroastrian Association de France (ZAF). Additionally, she was the global treasurer for WZCC for six years. Currently, she is Congress Administrator, on the Executive Steering Committee for the current World Zoroastrian Congress 2022 and is the Communications Coordinator for the Zarathushti Global Working Group. She has conscientiously served in all these capacities with dedication, dignity, and respect for all. Katayun is a proponent of promoting youth leadership within our community and inspires them to become future leaders.

Speaker

Freny Nina Pavri is an international actress, musician and yoga teacher and is currently based in London, although from India. She plays the sitar and Rudra Veena in the Dhrupad Sudharani style under the lineage of her teacher Ustad Mohi Baha’uddin Dagar. This style of music is extremely ancient and rare.

Freny trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She directed Shakespeare’s ‘Coriolanus’, which was adapted to exploring the Kurdish language, political situation and the ancient connection to the Zoroastrian world. She is recording her first classical music album, working on a dance drama about Yashodhara (Buddha’s wife) and curating a festival celebrating the life and art of the Sufi heroine of the Second World War, Noor Inayat Khan. In addition, she teaches the classical style of Patanjali yoga.

Speaker

Arzan Sam Wadia grew up in Bombay, India and moved to New York City to pursue his Master’s in Urban Design and Architecture. He currently runs an architecture and a technology practice in the city.

As the President of FEZANA, Arzan is the Co-Chair of the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress 2022. He played pivotal roles at the 12th North American Congress in New York and the 7th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress in 2019. He was part of the first World Zoroastrian Youth Leadership Forum at the ASHA Center in the United Kingdom in 2018.

He is the Program Director of the Zoroastrian Return To Roots Program, an initiative he has been involved with since its beginning in 2013. Arzan is a founding trustee of the Zarathushti Entrepreneurship Development Foundation. As the founding editor of Parsi Khabar, the world’s leading online news aggregator of all things Parsi, he has a deep understanding of the pulse of the community worldwide.

On the topic of this session, Arzan will speak about how men can be allies in this process.

Speaker

Rashna Writer is a political scientist who commenced her career at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, London. She was a Contributing Editor at Defense & Foreign Affairs Handbook, Defense & Foreign Affairs Strategic Policy, and subsequently Head of Global Risks for a leading strategic risk consultancy in the UK.

She has pursued a parallel career in academia and authored Contemporary Zoroastrians: An Unstructured Nation; co-authored with Shahrokh Shahrokh The Memoirs of Keikhosrow Shahrokh and is the author of The Reshaping of Iran from Zoroastrian to Muslim. In 2021, she produced an Audiobook, The Story of the Zoroastrians: An Historical Perspective. From 2008 to 2019, Dr Writer was Senior Teaching Fellow in the Department of Study of Religions, SOAS, London University where she lectured on Zoroastrianism in Ancient and Modern Worlds.

Rashna Writer holds a doctorate from the London School of Economics in International Relations.

Moderator

Zerbanoo Gifford is an author, human rights campaigner and founder of the ASHA Centre, an award-winning charity working for the empowerment of young people. She holds the Nehru Centenary Award and the International Woman of the Year Award for her humanitarian work, which spans fifty years of grassroots and global activism.

A pioneer for women in British politics, she is the former Director of Anti-Slavery International. Zerbanoo received the Splendor Award in Hollywood for her lifetime achievements. She was honored at the 90th Anniversary of American Suffrage in an exhibition at the Sewall-Belmont Museum in Washington DC commemorating key women who have advanced women’s rights.

Zerbanoo is author of seven books, including Dadabhai Naoroji – Britain’s First Asian M.P. and Confessions to a Serial Womaniser – Secrets of the Worlds Inspirational Women for which she interviewed 300 exceptional women from 60 countries for Britain’s prestigious ‘NESTA Fellowship’.
Zerbanoo’s biography An Uncensored Life by Farida Master is published by Harper Collins.

Facilitator

Mantreh Atashband is a Public Health professional and the Founder of Vasanti Health; a social enterprise focusing on alternative and Ayurvedic health. She promotes holistic health care using common sense allopathic and naturopathic remedies and lifestyle alternatives. Mantreh holds a Graduate Degree in Public Health from the University of Waterloo specializing in socio-behavioral health.

Some of her contributions to the Zoroastrian Community include Co-Founder of NextGenNow, Programming Committee Member for the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress, Communications Lead for the 2007 North American Zoroastrian Congress, Marketing Lead for the 2003 North American Zoroastrian Youth Congress, and Board Member of The Iranian Zoroastrian Cultural Kanoun of ZSO.

She now lives in Philadelphia, United States with her husband and son.

Facilitator

Having graduated with a Law LL.B. degree from King’s College London, Shazneen Munshi works as a Policy Adviser to the CEO and Chairman of the Financial Ombudsman Service, an alternative dispute resolution organization.

Since 2014, Shazneen has led the Extra Young Zoroastrians (XYZ) Fun Club Zoroastrian religious education classes for children in the UK. This has involved putting together a comprehensive syllabus and finding innovative ways to teach children about the beauty of the Zoroastrian religion and how to apply the teachings to our everyday lives.

As the youngest elected member of the ZTFE Managing Committee, Shazneen has represented the voices and interests of the younger generation, having been the Young Zoroastrian president for five years. Shazneen has also given a number of BBC interviews to raise awareness and understanding of our religion.

Facilitator

Aban Rustomji is a passionate advocate for libraries and public education. She earned her MS in Library Science from the University of Karachi and worked for 30 years in university and high school libraries.

Aban was raised in Quetta, Pakistan, but eventually settled in Houston, Texas, with her husband and children. As an active member of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston, Aban has been involved in North American Congresses, including the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress held in Houston.
Aban is also the founder and co-chair of the FEZANA Information Research and Educational System (FIRES), headquartered at the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH). FIRES collects books, manuscripts, and artifacts to further the awareness of the Zoroastrian faith, history, and culture. FIRES also offers dynamic programming, such as a lecture series, an oral history project, and annual exhibitions.

She is co-chair of the Program Committee for the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress.

Facilitator

Benafsha Shroff has worked as a political strategist and communications specialist for over a decade. Her vast experience in political campaigning ranges from organizational to state legislative to city councils. She has developed unique experiences by living and working in the United States, India, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Benafsha was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and graduated from the University of Denver.

Some of her contributions to the Zoroastrian community include: Co-Founder of Agiary Connect; Youth Coordinator of Zoroastrian Association of the Rocky Mountains (ZARM); Organizing Committee Member of Zoroastrian Youth of the Next Generation (ZYNG); Lead Volunteer for Xtremely Young Zoroastrians (XYZ); Participant at the 1st World Zoroastrian Youth Leadership Forum, Moderator and Panelist at first-ever youth women’s panel at the 7th WZYC, Program Committee Member for the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress.

She now lives in Vancouver, Canada.

Title

Interfaith Panel: Faith Matters

Abstract

The theme of the 2022 World Zoroastrian Congress is Bridging the Global Zarathushti Existence. We believe that the spirit of unity that his theme embraces should extend to the entirety of God’s creation. This would include people who follow any of the major faith traditions. Therefore, we have invited prominent representatives of some of the fellow religions to open this congress with a spirit of universal harmony.

This session, “Faith Matters,” is conceived on the following premises: (1) faith remains very much relevant in the ever-changing contemporary world, (2) it is only by creating a spiritual renaissance that mankind will be able to overcome global challenges such as climate, pandemics, and inequalities, and (3) despite surface differences, all great religions are grounded on common truths. By emphasizing these commonalities, we hope to promote harmony across the followers of all faith traditions.

Representatives of five great faith traditions will share their perspectives on the opening day of the congress.

Speaker

Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor has been the High Priest of Pak Iranshah at Udvada since 2002. Dasturji Dastoor was educated at the Dadar Athornan Institute. He attained his Navar, Maratab and Shamel at the Iranshah Atashbehram.

Dasturji Dastoor is invited to speak about the Zoroastrian religion and history at community events worldwide. He addressed the 5th World Zoroastrian Congress (2005) in London and the 9th World Zoroastrian Congress (2009) in Dubai. He visited North America in 2010 to address Zoroastrians in Florida, New York, Boston, and Toronto. He was a speaker at the Parliament of World Religions 2021. As an invited guide and supervisor, he officiated the higher religious ceremonies to be performed for the establishment of the first wood burning Atash Kadeh in Houston, Texas.

In December 2015, Dasturji Khurshed spearheaded the Iranshah Udvada Utsav (IUU), the first of its kind. It was attended by approximately 4,000 Parsi and Irani Zarathushtis from all over the globe. The recent restoration and conservation work of the Udvada Atashbehram was completed under his initiation and supervision with the financial support of the Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry family.

Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor is a dedicated proponent of World Peace.

Speaker

Father Brian E. McWeeney, a native New Yorker, has been a priest forty-nine years. He attended Saint Joseph’s Seminary where he received both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees. Post Ordination in the Roman Catholic Community, he continued studies at Iona College where he received a Master of Education in Pastoral Counseling. He received a Doctorate in Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary.

He has been a professor in the Institute of Religious Studies and Diaconate Formation Program of the Archdiocese of New York. In addition to pastoring a number of communities, he has served on many Boards and lectured in many institutions. Presently, he is the Director of the Offices of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Ecclesial Movements and Organizations, and Community Outreach for the Archdiocese.

Speaker

Rabbi Potasnik is the Executive Vice President of The New York Board of Rabbis, the largest interdenominational rabbinic body in the world. Presently Rabbi Emeritus has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Mount Sinai in Brooklyn Heights since 1972.

Rabbi Potasnik has published numerous articles in newspapers and his book, Just Give me a Minute, contains many of his commentaries for 1010 WINS Radio. As the host of the TV program Faith to Faith on the Jewish Broadcasting Service that aired around the country, he invited people of all faiths to participate in meaningful conversation.

A Chaplain of the New York City Fire Department and a former member of the New York Human Rights Commission, Rabbi Potasnik is committed to ensuring all Jewish people’s security and combating the violence plaguing this country.

Speaker

Swami Sarvapriyananda is the Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York (founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894). He received Sannyas (his final monastic vows) in 2004. He has served as an acharya (teacher) of the monastic probationers’ training center at Belur Math, India. He has also served in various capacities in different educational institutes of the Ramakrishna Mission in India and as assistant minister of the Vedanta Society of Southern California.

Swami Sarvapriyananda is well known for his talks on Advaita Vedanta. He is a TEDx speaker, a SAND speaker and has spoken at several universities across the world, including at Harvard University. He has played a prominent role in organizing and participating in various interfaith panels and seminars including The Interfaith Conference held in November 2018 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s seminal speeches at the 1893 World’s Parliament on Religions.

Speaker

Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Ji is a Founding Trustee of the Sikh Council for Interfaith Relations; member, Executive Council of Religions for Peace, USA; member, Religious Leaders Circle of the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees; former Chairperson of the World Sikh Council – America Region; and member, Board of Directors, Family Justice Center, Erie County, NY.

He engages in interfaith dialogues on diversity, religion, and peace, and has represented the Sikh faith in many forums, including delivering a prayer on peace and harmony along with Pope Francis at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. Dr. Singh speaks and writes on the issue of violence against women and has participated in and organized national and international panel discussions on the issue.

Dr. Singh is a Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, NY. His research focuses on neurodegenerative disorders. He directs an annual summer-long research program at the University of Cambridge, UK.

Moderator

Following rigorous religious training at the M.F. Cama Athornan Institute under Dasturji Dr. Firoz M Kotwal, Ervad Tehemton F. Mirza was ordained Navar, Maratab and Shamel at Iranshah Ateshbehram in Udvada. His professional career took him from Mumbai to Iran to Indonesia, and he finally settled in London, Ontario, Canada. A CPA by profession, he is a recreational pilot and a marathoner. As a Mobed, Tehemton volunteers religious and spiritual services to Zoroastrians in South Western Ontario and Michigan. Tehemton has published articles on Zoroastrianism in North American publications and spoken on Zoroastrian topics at Zoroastrian Associations and Congresses throughout North America. Tehemton currently serves as Vice President of North American Mobeds Council and heads the NAMC Institute of Zoroastrian Studies.

Title

Custodians of Zamyad: Spirit of the Earth

Abstract

As the world confronts the existential threat of unprecedented ecological crisis, this panel aims to inspire a renewed commitment for Zoroastrians to take leading roles as custodians of the earth, both through an exploration of the theology and literature of our forebears and by highlighting the efforts of contemporary Zoroastrians to confront environmental issues. Zoroastrians have committed to an ideal of maintaining the purity of the earth and its elements, succinctly enshrined in the statement “we worship the earth which gives good gifts” (Yasna 16.6).

Daniel Sheffield will trace themes relating to the earth and the environment from ancient Zoroastrian liturgical texts down into the literature of medieval and early modern times. Highlighting the theme that each generation of Zoroastrians must renew the religion in order to face the challenges of their time, he will explore ways in which ancient texts might inspire renewed commitments to the earth.

Ana Verahrami will discuss how Zoroastrianism has played a fundamental role in her development as a conservation biologist. She will demonstrate one way that contemporary Zoroastrians are engaging with environmental protection by providing an overview of her ongoing work with the Elephant Listening Project.

Rashneh Pardiwala has been creating successful models of environmental sustainability for the past 15 years and will share her initiatives in the field of solar electrification, rainwater harvesting and urban afforestation. Through her presentation, Rashneh hopes to empower the audience to adopt simple, environmentally friendly, socially equitable and financially viable strategies to help combat climate change and heal the earth.

Speaker

Rashneh N. Pardiwala is an Ecologist from the University of Edinburgh having specialized during her MSc and PhD in the field of Climate Change. She is the Founder & Director of the Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE), a Mumbai-based not-for-profit organization that works to promote environmental sustainability through formal education, government collaborations, corporate partnerships, and public awareness campaigns. She is a pioneer in developing Carbon Management and Environmental Sustainability Systems for corporate India and serves as a CSR consultant to leading companies. Rashneh has won numerous awards and has been featured in publications in recognition of her work to promote environmental sustainability. In 2005, Rashneh was recognized as one of the youngest ‘Social Entrepreneur for Change’ and was awarded the Ashoka Fellowship. In 2009 Rashneh was selected as one of Asia’s 21 Young Leaders by Asia Society. In 2011, Rashneh was selected by the Svenska Institute in Stockholm to represent India on Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability. In 2013, Rashneh was awarded the Ford Fellowship to study at Columbia University, NY.

Speaker

Daniel Sheffield is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University. He is a specialist in the social and intellectual history of Zoroastrians during the late medieval and early modern periods. He is the author of numerous articles and two forthcoming books: Wizirkard i Denig: The Pahlavi Book of Religious Decrees and Cosmopolitan Zarathustras: Translating Religion in Iran and India. He is currently working on a third book project examining revisiting the life and afterlives of the Azar Kayvan movement of the sixteenth-seventeenth centuries, which culminated in the production of the first Persian-language encyclopedia of comparative religion, entitled The School of Doctrines (Dabistan-i Mazahib, written by Mirza Zu’l-fiqar Azarsasani ‘Mubad’ in 1650 CE).

Speaker

Anahita (Ana) Verahrami earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in 2017 and is now completing her Master’s degree in the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology at Colorado State University with a focus on conservation biology. Anahita has spent the last six years working with the Elephant Listening Project, a research group at Cornell University that is using acoustic monitoring to study and protect forest elephants. Anahita also has a strong interest in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within academia and conservation. It is her firm belief that the recognition and equitable inclusion of a diversity of theories, perspectives, and identities will significantly augment scientific comprehension of our world and our capacity to preserve it. This interest is grounded in her lived experiences as a Zoroastrian woman, as a member and ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and as a person who grapples with mental illness.

Moderator

Aban Marker Kabraji currently works as a Senior Advisor on Climate Change and Biodiversity to the UNDCO in the Asia Pacific and to the AIIB, and is a Board member of TRAFFIC. She served as the Regional Director for The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Asia and Director of the IUCN Regional Hub for Asia-Oceania. With over 40 years of global experience, she led a diverse portfolio in 15 countries under the Asia and Oceania regions where she was instrumental in bringing awareness to vital development and conservation issues such as gender, culture, and sovereignty. In 2018, she was a recipient of the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s Civil Award recognizing her outstanding contributions to conservation and development. Ms. Kabraji is also the co-chair of the Zoroastrian Return to Roots program established in 2012. Her role involves supporting the youth leaders of the program fundraise, plan and implement a 10-day trip to India to foster cultural awareness for Zoroastrian youth in the diaspora.

Title

Contemporary Research on Modern Narratives to a Zoroastrian Identity

Abstract 1: The Children of Intermarriage and the Formation of Identity

The topic of intermarriage has stimulated fierce debate within the Zoroastrian community for centuries and the offspring of intermarried couples have largely been forgotten in the discourse.

This talk is based on a research project that explored the pathways to an ethnic and religious identity for the offspring of mixed heritage of, specifically, one Parsi Zoroastrian parent and one non-Parsi non-Zoroastrian parent. Through sixty-five in-depth interviews conducted across three zones — India, UK, and US — the study assessed the level of inclusion, involvement, and integration experienced by the children of intermarriage in their extended families, their local and global Zoroastrian communities, and their countries of residence.

The Parsi community are unique insofar as historically they have had a combined ethnic and religious identity, but there is a growing separation between the two, So, what role, if any, did the Zoroastrian religion and Parsi culture play in their lives and identities?

In this talk, I will concentrate on two of the most important themes of identity formation — family and community. Key elements within each theme and the contentious term ‘half-Parsi’ are compared across the three geographic zones to also showcase the importance of location. There is little doubt that with the current rate of intermarriage, children of intermarriage will be a significant proportion of children born in the coming years and this research project gave them a voice for the first time.

Abstract 2: Becoming Zoroastrian

The first half of the session will focus on the speaker’s doctoral project which is an ethnographic study investigating the motivations, socio-cultural, and religious practices of those individuals whose parents (both mother and father) are non-Zoroastrians and who later chose to accept the Zoroastrian identity by undergoing a Sedreh-Pushi/Navjote ceremony. The study, which refers to them as “Zoroastrians-by-Choice” or “Neo-Zoroastrians” for academic classification and for purposes of communication, further investigates the patterns of interaction between ‘Zoroastrians-by-choice and ‘Zoroastrians-by-birth’ – those who were born to at least one Zoroastrian parent.

The talk will present the preliminary findings of two anonymous online questionnaires which were launched globally (except in Iran) in mid-2021 and qualitative data derived from interviews, informal interactions, participant-observation, and other methods involving Zoroastrians-By-Choice and Zoroastrians-By-Birth through fieldwork in nine countries spanning Europe, North America, and the Caucasus. The respective surveys were formulated keeping in view the varying socio-cultural backgrounds and religious experiences of the two communities in an attempt to comprehend the lived experiences of ‘Zoroastrians-By-Choice’.

The talk will be followed by an inaugural screening of a short documentary titled ‘Becoming Zoroastrian’ which has been jointly produced by Leah Rustomjee and Ruzbeh Hodiwala. The movie features new adherents from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and nationalities sharing their experiences of becoming a Zoroastrian. The documentary, which combines participatory and interview-based genres, intends to provide a firsthand account of the new adherents, who speak about their lives as Zoroastrians.

Speaker

Dr Nazneen Engineer is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the SOAS Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies. For her doctorate, she produced an annotated translation of a Parsi Gujarati text written in 1883 by a prominent high priest of the Parsi Zoroastrian community after the Mazagon Navjotes that took place in Bombay in the nineteenth century.

After her PhD, Nazneen returned to India where she worked for a non-profit charitable Trust that ignited her interest in the theories and concepts of identity. She undertook her first post-doctoral research project assessing the pathways to an ethnic and religious identity for the offspring of mixed marriage, specifically, between a Parsi Zoroastrian parent and a non-Parsi non-Zoroastrian parent.

She is currently Project Manager of the Gen Z and Beyond Survey (www.genzandbeyond.com), a once-in-a-lifetime survey that will collect and analyze data on the global Zoroastrian community.

Speaker

Ruzbeh Vistasp Hodiwala is a Doctoral Researcher at SOAS, University of London. He is working on the Zoroastrians-by-choice project in Europe and North America (www.neozoroastrianproject.com). He holds a bachelor’s in Economics from St. Xavier’s College in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and a master’s degree in Iranian Studies from SOAS. He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the SOAS Journal of Postgraduate Research (SJPR).

In 2010, he received an American Field Service cultural exchange scholarship to Italy and has been trained as a trainer in Intercultural Learning and Volunteer and Organization Development with the AFS Intercultural Programs India. Since 2010, he has represented the Zoroastrian community at several national and international conferences on interfaith harmony and religious freedom and has worked for the conservation of the Bahrot Caves. Before beginning his Ph.D., Ruzbeh had returned to India to work as an assistant to a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Gujarat.

Title

Youth Track

Abstract

Young Zoroastrians shape the future of Zoroastrianism. Our presence will be felt every day of the Twelfth World Zoroastrian Congress 2022.

Today’s Zoroastrian youth face a new set of issues. These issues, though varying, share one common thread – the desire to build connections within our community. The youth programming aims for participants to learn from each other, network, build rapport and encourage authentic expression.

Join other Young Zoroastrians for these three days (and nights) of exciting experiences and refreshing sessions. When we come together to recognize and acknowledge what is important to us throughout the diaspora and reflect on our unique identity, we will build connections for a stronger future together.

The youth and young adults at this Twelfth World Zoroastrian Congress will participate in these events.

Abstract

Youth for Youth

Targeted towards participants aged 18-40, this first session provides an opportunity for interactive exchanges through icebreakers and games. If you’ve never experienced how easy it is to connect with another Zoroastrian, you certainly will in this session.

In the evening, come mingle at New York’s iconic Central Park. We will have life-size lawn games and snacks to enjoy.

Title

Zarathushti Youth Across Borders

Abstract

The Zarathushti Youth Across Borders (ZYAB) program brings young Zoroastrians from around the world to the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress 2022 in New York City. ZYAB awardees support and exemplify the Congress theme of Bridging the Global Zarathushti Existence by strengthening connections, concepts, and ideas, and building bridges for the next generations, while respecting our identities and diversity. The ZYAB awardees include 26 leaders from Iran, India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom. These exemplary youth will shape the actions of the Zoroastrian community in the 21st century. 

The program is based on the Zoroastrian Field Students Program initiated at the 7th World Zoroastrian Congress in Houston (2000). Modeled on the American Field Service program where students around the world traveled to the United States to attend a year of high school, the Zoroastrian Field Student Program brought 21 students to the World Congress. ZYAB takes inspiration from this initial program, but with an approach that combines global connections with local knowledge. 

Speaker

Behroze Clubwala grew up in Chennai, India, and has been married to Astad Clubwala for the past 47 years. She worked for the United Nations Development Program in New York City for 38 years while bringing up her two children and navigating the challenges of working within the UN. Since 2012, she has been a core member of the fundraising team at the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York, first to build the Dar-e Mehr, then a Trust Fund, and now as a member of the Executive Steering Committee for the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC 2022). Co-Chairing the Zarathushti Youth Across Borders (ZYAB) Program at WZC2022, she aims to bring global students who face economic difficulties to the World Zoroastrian Congress. 

Speaker

Katayun Kapadia has held many leadership positions in the community. She has served on the executive board of FEZANA as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President. She served as Secretary, Treasurer and President of her local association, ZAPANJ  – the Zoroastrian Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. During her stay in Paris, she served as Treasurer and Vice President and was on the Board of Trustees of the Zoroastrian Association de France (ZAF). Additionally, she was the global treasurer for WZCC for six years. Currently, she is Congress Administrator, on the Executive Steering Committee for the current World Zoroastrian Congress 2022 and is the Communications Coordinator for the Zarathushti Global Working Group. She has conscientiously served in all these capacities with dedication, dignity, and respect for all. Katayun is a proponent of promoting youth leadership within our community and inspires them to become future leaders.

Speaker

Nerina Rustomji is Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. She is a historian of the Middle East and specializes in the intellectual and cultural formation of Islamic societies.

ZYAB Participans

* denotes those who have been unable to procure visas due to extreme backlog at US Embassies and Consulates around the world.

1.  Kamand Faramarzi Far, Mumbai, India/UK
2.  Arezoo Gharibshahi, Iran
3.  Vispi Karkaria, Mumbai, India/USA
4. Manaz Nariman, Mumbai, India/UK.
5.  Behnaz Nanavatti, Pune, India
6. Bezan Nanavatti, Pune, India
7. Dina Patel, Karachi, Pakista
8. Meherwan Patel, Karachi, Pakistan
9. Sheherazad Pavri, Mumbai, India
10.  Kiana Piltan, UK
11. Shiruy Billimoria, Mumbai, India*
12. Farokh Cooper, Vadodara, India*
13. Farshid Daruwalla, Mumbai, India*
14. Elhom Faramarzi Far, Mumbai, India*
15. Sarah Gazder, Chennai, India*
16. Simonil Jassawala, New Delhi, India*
17. Spenta Jassawala, New Delhi, India*
18. Khushnaz Kasad, Mumbai, India*
19. Khashayar Khezri, Tehran, Iran*
20. Vahishta Mistry, Mumbai, India*
21. Avan Navdar, Mumbai, India*
22. Kerin Pithawala, Navsari, India*
23. Zeann Pithawala, Navsari, India*
24. Faranaz Solan, Karachi, Pakistan*
25. Dinaz Tavadia, Mumbai, India*
26. Meherbakhsh Wadia, Mumbai, India* 

Title

Identity, Belonging and Community in Zoroastrianism

Abstract

The Zoroastrian community has seen a dramatic transformation from the times it was regionally confined to Iran and South Asia. Among those changes is a rise in families where some members are not born Zoroastrians. This is the reality in many regions around the world, and the presence of these families is likely to increase over time.

In this session four panelists will share with us their personal experiences, in their own words, as members of interfaith Zoroastrian families. Their stories, their feelings, aspirations, frustrations, joys and hopes, will help foster mutual respect, and acceptance of any differences in outlook that may exist.

To bridge the global Zoroastrian existence, it is essential that we understand the experiences of Zoroastrians who have arrived here from different backgrounds. This session will give us a glimpse into the experiences of Zoroastrians from interfaith families, and thereby into the evolution of the Zoroastrian community into the future.

Speaker

James Ball was born and raised in West Caldwell, New Jersey with two sisters in the same home his father grew up in. He was active in the arts through high school and attended Pratt Institute for a Bachelor’s in Industrial Design. After college James travelled the world spending extended time in the Netherlands and Taiwan. He returned to the US to take a job in Arizona with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat launched James’ career in green housing by building the first LEED Platinum certified Habitat home in the country.

James is now the VP of Business Development for MaGrann Associates, an MEP Engineering and Sustainability Consulting firm. James has managed sustainability projects for high-end custom, production, affordable and government projects. He has worked as a home inspector, sales trainer, lecturer, and consultant to government agencies, non-profit builders, and private industry.

As a leader in the building industry James serves as the Co-Chair of the Net-Zero Energy Coalition, on the Advisory Board of DC’s Building Innovation Hub and on Hyattsville, MD (his hometown’s) Environmental Committee. His is personally and professionally committed to creating homes that have a positive influence on human well-being and the natural environment

Speaker

Homa Dashtaki was born in Iran with family roots in Aliabad and Mobarakeh, Yazd. She immigrated to the United States at age 8. She studied literature at UCLA and law at Cornell University, eventually working at one of the top 5 law firms in the country. After the 2009 financial crash, she accidentally found herself starting a yogurt company with her father, based on the recipes her family had used for generations. What started as a quiet bonding activity with her family has turned into a successful food brand. Her Zoroastrian ethos has paved the path for every decision the company has made, and The White Moustache Yogurt Company has become a celebrated advocate of sustainable food production and the prevention of food waste. Its efforts of putting value on the environment, people and animals over monetary profits have led to a whole new model of what a successful business could look like in America.

Speaker

Narges Kakalia is a mother, wife, lawyer and activist, and an active member of the ZAGNY community. She lives in suburban New Jersey with her husband Marc, sons Cyrus (17) and Zane (13), and dogs Cocoa and Bella. Narges was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. She came to the United States to attend college (Oberlin College in Ohio) and ended up living the immigrant experience in the United States. While she doesn’t get back to Karachi as often as she’d like, she does spend time recreating her mother and grandmothers’ Parsi recipes in New Jersey to evoke a sense of home.

Narges was a commercial litigator for nearly 2 decades in New York before turning her sights on making the legal profession more equitable and inclusive. Today, she is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the law firm Mintz, where she previously practiced as an Associate and Partner.

Speaker

Anne Khademian is a Zoroastrian by choice, and served as the president of the ZAMWI Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2021 and as an Avesta Class teacher and coordinator for many years before she was elected to the Board. She is the Executive Director of the Universities at Shady Grove, an innovative center in the University System of Maryland supporting pathways for all students to accessible and affordable higher education and high demand career opportunities. Prior to joining the University System of Maryland, Anne served as the Director of Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs, and as a Fellow with the Virginia Tech Office of the President, responsible for advancing strategic initiatives. Her research and published work focus on the practice of inclusive management, understanding and managing organizational culture, and organizational change. Anne is a fellow and member of the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Public Administration and was inducted to the Michigan State University Athletic Hall of Fame for cross country in 2016.

Moderator

Keki Dadachanji was born in Mumbai. He earned his Ph.D. in Operations Research from Case Western Reserve University. He was a senior manager at M&M/Mars for 26 years, a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and a teacher of mathematics and computer science at Parsippany High School. Dr. Dadachanji is a faculty member at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute within Rutgers University, where he has taught courses in philosophy, spirituality, and world cinema. He currently leads classes on the Gāthās in the Tristate area, and teaches the Bhagavad Gītā at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – Rutgers University. Keki Dadachanji is the co-chair of the Program Committee of the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress.

Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People

Abstract

Good people intend well. We intend to make choices and decisions in a manner that is accurate and fair while also being in our own interest and that of our communities.

Research from the last fifty years has challenged the possibility that we actually do so. Specifically, we now know that our actions can be inconsistent with our values and obstruct the very goals we strive for as individuals and professionals. We now know that these errors are a function of our evolution, the architecture of our minds, and the social contexts in which our decisions unfold. Our behavior is inconsistent with our own values because our decisions are driven by “implicit” preferences and beliefs.

This session is participatory, involving educational and even entertaining hands-on exercises. It is geared toward providing insights into how our minds work, and to reveal the often surprising and even perplexing manner in which our minds work.

The purpose of the seminar is to reveal mental blind spots and create awareness so that we can align our values with behavior. Professor Banaji will advance ideas about where such bias comes from and how to think about “outsmarting” our own minds in order to reach the goals we have chosen, with deliberation, for ourselves and our future.

Speaker

Mahzarin R. Banaji

Mahzarin R. Banaji is a Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. Mahzarin was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the British Academy, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. She is Herbert Simon Fellow of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Mahzarin has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, awards for teaching excellence at both Yale and Harvard, APA’s Award for Distinguished Scientific Contribution, APS’s William James Fellow Award for “a lifetime of significant intellectual contributions to the basic science of psychology” and APS’s Cattell Fellow Award for applications of scientific research. Mahzarin is the recipient of five honorary degrees, the Golden Goose Award from the United States Congress, and the Atkinson Prize from the National Academy of Sciences.  She is co-author of the widely known book “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People”.

Image © Harvard University.

Title

Linking Arms Across the World – Global Working Group

Abstract

From about the 1950s Zoroastrian young men and women have been moving out of their traditional homelands of Iran, India and Pakistan to countries in the West for education and for career and business opportunities – in the UK, in USA and Canada, in Australia and New Zealand and the Middle East. We are truly a Zoroastrian diaspora.

During discussions and interaction at World Congresses in Houston in 2000 and in London in 2005, the idea of a Global Body of Zoroastrian Federations took shape. At the Dubai Congress in 2009, leaders from all the major regions shook hands to form a Body of Bodies – which would enable them to work together. The name Global Working Group was adopted and the GWG has been meeting in-person at least once each year.  In 2016 the President of the Hongkong Association Mr Neville Shroff was unanimously invited to be the Non-Executive Chair of the GWG.

The mission of the GWG is to undertake charitable work in the geographies where it is most needed. GWG’s initiatives extend to Welfare of Mobeds, alleviation of poverty, emergency assistance, preservation of manuscripts and heritage, encouragement of cultural initiatives, coordination of World Congresses, demographics etc. The GWG does not and will not interfere in religion or religious practice. That area is left to be handled by respective Regions within their own geographies. The GWG session in New York will discuss the status and future plans of the GWG.

Speaker

Sam Balsara is the Founder Chairman of the completely Indian owned Madison World, which offers services in 11 specialized functions in Advertising. Over the past 34 years, Madison has grown to become India’s largest Indian owned Communications company employing about 1,000 Communication experts and serving around 500 Advertisers. Madison Media is the largest Independent Media Agency by share and 5^th largest Independent Media Agency by size in the World. Sam has served as President or Chairman of almost every Industry body in India and won virtually every award that is to win in Indian Advertising.

Sam has participated in many Zoroastrian initiatives, shared his thoughts through speeches and articles at various World Congresses and various fora and publications. Sam has also lent his weight and his organization Madison’s weight to Jiyo Parsi, to make the movement in India a huge success.

Sam Balsara is an honorary member of WZCC, a member of GWG, trustee of the proposed Global Council of Zoroastrian Trusts (GCZT) and member of the Advisory committee to Trustees of BPP.

Speaker

Alayar (Al) Dabestani immigrated to Canada from Iran in 1972. He received an MBA from the University of British Columbia in 1974 and a Ph.D. in Economics at Simon Fraser University. He became a Real Estate agent in Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle, and eventually moved to Seattle.

In 1990, he co-founded A Theatre Near You, Inc., where he owned thirty-six theatres exhibiting over one hundred screens across the US and Canada. Al also partnered with Eros Entertainment to distribute Indian movies across North America. After selling all his theatres, he remained focused on real estate and private investments. During this time, he acquired real estate ranging from office buildings, shopping plazas, to multi-family residential buildings. In addition, he worked in land development and property renovations. Al engaged in many private investment opportunities such as Biodiesels, Medical Clinics, and Commercial development projects to name a few.

Mr. Dabestani and his wife Gitty have two children, Ardeshir and Nousheen.

Speaker

Xerxes Vispi Dastur is an ordained priest and a qualified Chartered Accountant and Managing Partner at V. S. Dastur & Co. Chartered Accountants. He is an innovative and result oriented professional global experience in finance, accounting, taxation, management audits and internal audits, consulting, and advisory services. He has delivered various seminars in India and abroad on numerous topics.

Xerxes is actively involved in community matters and has served as a trustee of the Bombay Parsee Punchayet. Additionally, he has been on the board and managing committee of various institutions including Chairman of the Mumbai Chapter, Board Member (India) and International Board Member of the World Zarthusti Chamber of Commerce. He has been President of the Bombay Parsee Association, Trustee of The Ripon Club, Chairman of the Managing Committee at The Ripon Club, President of the Sir Ness Wadia Pavillion, Honorary Treasurer of the Rustom Baug Association, Advisor to XYZ (Xtremely Young Zoroastrians).

Speaker

Katayun Kapadia holds many leadership positions in the community. She has served on the executive board of FEZANA as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President. She has held similar positions at her local association, ZAPANJ – Zoroastrian Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Katayun is a Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) with over 40 years of demonstrated domestic and international accounting and auditing experience in healthcare, higher education, shipping, public accounting, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical devices industries.

Katayun was the global treasurer for WZCC for six years. Currently, she is Congress Administrator, on the Executive Steering Committee for the World Zoroastrian Congress 2022 and is the Communications Coordinator for the Zarathushti Global Working Group. She conscientiously serves with dedication, dignity, and respect for all in all these capacities.

Katayun is a proponent of promoting youth leadership and inspires them to become future leaders in our community.

Speaker

Firoz Pestonji was born in Bulsar and educated in Jhansi as a Mechanical Engineer. He moved to Mumbai in 1980 to Join Godrej & Boyce. In 1992 he migrated to Australia, to work in the export/import business. In 1998 he purchased Perth Maxi Charters, which he expanded to start Aussie Perth tours.

In 1997 Firoz founded the Zoroastrian Association of Western Australia (WA) and was its President from 2000 to 2003. He was elected President of the Federation of Indian communities in WA, and Vice President of the Australian Indian Chamber of Commerce, WA. He is a founding member for the Small Charter Vehicles Association of WA and of the Business Association of Western Australian Zoroastrians in 2012. He is currently Vice Chair of the Federation of Indian Associations of WA (FIAWA).

Firoz was a panelist at the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress in Mumbai. In 2014 January, he was invited to join the Global Working Group. In 2018 he chaired the 11the World Zoroastrian Congress.

Speaker

Rohinton Rivetna has devoted a lifetime building organizational infrastructure for the Zoroastrian community in North America. He spearheaded the formation of Zoroastrian Association of Chicago (1976) and as president, mobilized the community into constructing their dar-e-meher. Rohinton was the prime architect of FEZANA and its Constitution and served as its founding president. Rohinton’s efforts (1990s) to form World Council of Zoroastrian Federations, morphed into Coming Together Roundtable, which now functions as Global Working Group. Rohinton spearheaded founding of World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC); Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ); Zoroastrian Entrepreneurship Development Foundation as a joint venture of WZCC and FEZANA; and Institute of Zoroastrian Studies (IZS) as the educational arm of NAMC. In the Interfaith arena, Rohinton was founding Trustee and VP of Parliament of the World’s Religions; and serves on Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago. Professionally, Rohinton retired in 1997 as Director of Environmental Engineering at American National Can Corp.

Speaker

Arzan Sam Wadia grew up in Bombay, India and moved to New York City to pursue his Master’s in Urban Design and Architecture. He currently runs an architecture and a technology practice in the city.

As the President of FEZANA, Arzan is the Co-Chair of the 12^th World Zoroastrian Congress 2022. He played pivotal roles at the 12^th North American Congress in New York and the 7^th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress in 2019. He was part of the first World Zoroastrian Youth Leadership Forum at the ASHA Center in the United Kingdom in 2018.

He is the Program Director of the Zoroastrian Return to Roots Program, an initiative he has been involved with since its beginning in 2013. Arzan is a founding trustee of the Zarathushti Entrepreneurship Development Foundation. As the founding editor of Parsi Khabar, the world’s leading online news aggregator of all things Parsi, he has a deep understanding of the pulse of the community worldwide.

Moderator

Dorab Mistry served as President of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe Inc from 1997 to 2005. During his tenure, the ZTFE acquired and moved into the beautiful art deco Zoroastrian Centre in the London suburb of Harrow. The Centre incorporates the Zartoshty Brothers Hall which can seat 700. Dorab was Chair of the 8^th World Zoroastrian Congress held in London in 2005.

Dorab has served as Vice Chair of the Interfaith Network UK. In June 2013 in Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Honours List, he was conferred an OBE – Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – for services to Faith and Inter-Faith work in the UK.

Dorab has worked all his life for the GODREJ Group of India but always based in London and in recent years in Singapore. He is a Chartered Accountant but has specialized in commodity trading and is recognized as the world’s leading expert on Palm Oil and Vegetable Oil price behavior. He frequently appears on Business Channels in India and Asia.

Dorab and Shehnaz married in 1985 and have 3 daughters and were recently blessed with twin granddaughters.

Title

The GenZ and Beyond Survey: Zoroastrian philanthropy and entrepreneurship

Abstract

This talk will begin with an overview of this unique digital survey that launched in August 2021 and is due to end in December 2022. Organised and run at SOAS, University of London, Dr. Stewart will concentrate first upon the scope of the survey, particularly its purpose, structure and intended outcomes. She will also discuss some of the attitudes towards it from within the various Iranian/Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian communities around the world.  

The GenZ and Beyond Survey is anonymous and its questionnaire extensive. It covers three main subject areas or groupings: 

1. demographic, including education, employment, and domestic life; 
2. behavioural, including religious and cultural beliefs and practices;
3. attitudinal, including views on social, religious and ethnic identities. 

Dr. Stewart will draw on preliminary data deriving from questions concerning entrepreneurship and philanthropy in order to examine the extent to which these are connected. 

The rationale for this discussion is that philanthropy has long been a feature of Zoroastrian devotional life. It is underpinned by theological and doctrinal considerations insofar as the act of giving is deemed to have been meritorious when a person faces individual judgment following death. Thus, it has both spiritual and practical dimensions that address needs of the individual as well as society in general. 

Speaker

Sarah Stewart holds the SOAS Shahpoorji Pallonji Lectureship in Zoroastrianism and is co-chair of the SSP Institute of Zoroastrian Studies. Her principal area of research is the Zoroastrian living tradition. Her publications include, in collaboration with Mandana Moavenat, Voices from Zoroastrian Iran, Volumes 1 and 2, which are based on fieldwork accompanied by an archive of recorded interviews. Sarah was the lead curator of the exhibition The Everlasting Flame, Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination (Brunei Gallery, SOAS 2013 and the National Museum, Delhi, 2016) and has recently launched a short introductory online course on Zoroastrianism (https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/zoroastrianism-history-religion-belief ). 

Her most recent ongoing project, Gen Z and Beyond digital survey (https://genzandbeyond.com), is the first of its kind and seeks to capture the demographics, religious practices and views of Zoroastrians in the world today. 

This session is made possible by the contributions of The Arcot Family

Title

Conquering the Unquiet Mind: A Guide to Mental Well Being

Abstract

Like the rest of the world’s population, many Zoroastrians struggle with depressive symptoms and anxiety during different stages of their lifespan. Children, adolescents, and adults of various ages and responsibilities (e.g., college students, parents, older adults) have been influenced by the stress of the COVID19 pandemic and its social and economic disruptions, which have been linked with increased reports of depressive symptoms and anxiety across the world. Higher depressive symptoms and anxiety are linked with lower life satisfaction, disrupted family relationships, and many other negative outcomes including suicide attempts.

Although there has been limited research focused on the mental health of Zoroastrians, it is expected that the available and existing research findings in psychology and psychiatry can be beneficial to Zoroastrian community members. This would be particularly true if the materials are presented in the framework that recognizes the strengths and qualities of the Zoroastrian community (e.g., value for family cohesion and support).
This 60-minute panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Farin Bakhtiari. Dr. Khushro Unwalla. Dr. Firdaus Dhabhar and Ms. Delna Palia will present information about understanding and addressing depressive symptoms and anxiety in a framework that is relatable and relevant to Zoroastrian community members across the world.

The session will include:

1. Ways to recognize the symptoms of some of the common mental health disorders, particularly depression and stress related anxiety
2. An interactive meta-linguistics visualization exercise that helps release anxiety and embrace a positive perspective for future life goals.
3. Discussion about available resources and professional support services for individuals and local community organizations

Speaker

Firdaus Dhabhar directs the Laboratory of Stress and Resilience and is a professor in the Departments of Psychiatry, Immunology, and the Sylvester Cancer Center (University of Miami). He also directs the medical school scholarly-concentration in Mind-Body-Medicine. His research has shown that fight-or-flight stress is Mother Nature’s survival system that could be harnessed to boost immunity during surgery and vaccination, or to enhance mental/physical performance. He also investigates the harmful effects of chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, on mind/body. Firdaus has conceptualized the Stress Spectrum as a guide for maximizing good stress and minimizing bad stress.

He has spoken at international congresses of clinicians/scientists, corporations, patient/family support groups, and general audiences at TEDx, TEDSalon, and TEDMED. He has received numerous honors for research/teaching. His highly ranked publications have garnered about 26,000 citations.

Firdaus is a Zoroastrian priest. One of his dreams is to create a network that provides opportunities/resources to enhance/restore mental health and maximize Vohu Manah, the “good state of mind,” within and beyond our community.

Speaker

Delna Palia started her career in hospitality. Her desire to help people right certain wrongs led her to a career in law. As a lawyer, she honed her skills in facilitating healthy communication to achieve mutually beneficial solutions. Her curiosity in human dynamics led to research into the understanding of the mystery of neurological pathways within the human mind.

She studied various techniques on principles of metaphysics, meta-linguistics, Hypnosis, Timeline paradigm for Trauma and Negative Emotional Release and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). She enjoys facilitating events and leading workshops in the field of mindfulness and higher consciousness.
Delna is passionate about change for growth and betterment. She is keen to guide us on new and innovative methods to create that change within oneself and others, connecting ancient and modern laws of the universe that facilitate being the light that ignites the fire within.

Speaker

Khushro B. Unwalla is a board-certified psychiatrist and Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is domiciled in Southern California where he lives with his wife Farah and has two grown daughters Roxanne and Reanna. He treats patients using the Bio-Psycho-Social-Cultural-Spiritual model in a multidisciplinary setting and has been involved in the training and mentoring of medical students, residents, social workers, and psychologists. He works at the Arrowhead Regional Medical center and holds senior faculty positions with Loma Linda University, California University of Science and Medicine, St. George Medical School, and Western University of Health Sciences.  He has also occasionally served as an examiner with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

He grew up in Rustom Baug Mumbai, and his educational foundation was laid at St. Mary’s High School. Simultaneously, he received religious and spiritual instruction and was ordained as a Parsee Zoroastrian priest in Udvada.

Moderator

Farin Bakhtiari is an assistant professor of Developmental Psychology at California State University, Fresno. She received her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin and her MA and BA in Psychology at California State University, Northridge. Her general research interests focus on the well-being and development of adolescents and young adults in context (e.g., family, peers, school), particularly among those in immigrant families.

Title

Reimagining Religious Education

Abstract

Formal and informal educators of the Zoroastrian faith share a common purpose of strengthening knowledge, raising awareness, and improving relational ties for their community members. Yet, there is often a perception that learners lack a sense of enthusiasm or depth required to truly engage with the philosophical, spiritual, and practical teachings of Zoroastrianism. Traditional instruction such as lectures and videos may seem out of sync with the high-tech realities of students’ lives. Concepts that require deep reflection and analysis may seem incongruent with the quick bites of (mis)information on individuals’ news feeds.

The purpose of the three, Reimagining Religious Education sessions is to highlight innovative methodologies and frameworks that could assist teachers and parents in designing learning experiences that are fundamentally sound and developmentally appropriate for educating children, youth, and adults about the Zoroastrian religion, culture, history, and way of life.

In the session on Living Zoroastrianism, an Immersive Experience, participants will engage their senses as they explore and interact with stimulating projects and hands-on activities that demonstrate how the best kind of learning is always sensory.

In the international collaboration, Global Innovations in Religious Education: From the Land Down Under to the Swinging City educators from across the world showcase and bring alive their innovative and inspiring teaching methods while elevating global challenges and solutions for actively educating children and youth, and for building local and global communities that play, grow, and learn together.

Engage, Educate, Empower: Religious Education for All Developmental Stages will use audience engagement, live simulations, & FEZANA’s web-based resource, to demonstrate how developmentally appropriate learning can nurture an engaged and empowered generation with a uniquely Zoroastrian identity. Participants will explore multiple resources, technologies, and best practices to design holistic religious educational experiences for children, youth, and adults.

Living Zoroastrianism, an Immersive Experience

Facilitator

      Tashan Mistree Byramji was fortunate to have been taught classical Zoroastrianism from a young age. She has been teaching within the community since she was a teenager and is currently a member and teacher at the Zoroastrian Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey (ZAPANJ). Tashan believes in teaching Zoroastrianism the ‘fun way’, through activities, songs, arts, crafts, and relatable content for both parents and children. She is currently involved with the FEZANA Religious Education Committee in their efforts to create lesson plans for teachers. Tashan has participated and volunteered at previous World Congresses. She currently resides in Philadelphia with her husband and two children.

Global Innovations in Religious Education: From the Land Down Under to the Swinging City

Speaker

Havovi Antia was brought up in Jamshedpur and was part of a thriving Zoroastrian community since childhood.

She is currently settled in Melbourne, Australia with her family, and is an active member of ZAV. Havovi has strongly supported her family in holding many religious ceremonies for the community at their house.  She has also assisted her husband Ervad Kaivan and Fezan during the 10 Muktad Gatha days by setting up the vases, cooking delicious Stum food and performing the Stum ceremony.  

Currently Havovi along with Diana conducts the Zoro School for young Zoroastrians growing up in Melbourne. The classes are planned to maximise student engagement and catered to the needs of the current community.  

Professionally Havovi has done her post-graduation in Education (Early Childhood) from RMIT. She was an Educational Leader and is currently the Centre Director at an Early Learning Centre in Melbourne.

Speaker

Khurshid Choksey is Vice-President of the Parsi Zoroastrian Association of South East Asia (PZAS) based in Singapore and has been an active member on the committee for 10 years. She has a wonderful way of interacting with children and is passionate about teaching values of the Zoroastrian culture in a fun and unique way.

Khurshid has also created the ‘PZAS Youth Roots & Wings’ initiative. This initiative provides a stable and secure community platform to participate in a wide range of cultural, social and extra-curricular activities. The events organized take root from our heritage and give our young ones the ability to express their ideas and creativity as a part of their all-round growth and development.

Khurshid is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited Life Coach helping individuals to live life to their full potential through learning, growth and transformation. She is also a Phonics educator for early readers.

Speaker

Having graduated with a Law LL.B. degree from King’s College London, Shazneen Munshi works as a Policy Adviser to the CEO and Chairman of the Financial Ombudsman Service, an alternative dispute resolution organization.

Since 2014, Shazneen has led the Extra Young Zoroastrians (XYZ) Fun Club Zoroastrian religious education classes for children in the UK. This has involved putting together a comprehensive syllabus and finding innovative ways to teach children about the beauty of the Zoroastrian religion and how to apply the teachings to our everyday lives.

As the youngest elected member of the ZTFE Managing Committee, Shazneen has represented the voices and interests of the younger generation, having been the Young Zoroastrian president for five years. Shazneen has also given a number of BBC interviews to raise awareness and understanding of our religion.

Speaker

Kainaz Dotivala Shroff is a clinical psychologist and educator. During the course of her doctoral work in clinical psychology, she worked extensively with mental health issues in children and young adults. She continues to work in the area of School Mental Health and has conducted several workshops with children, parents and educators.

A firm believer in learning with fun and developmentally appropriate practice, she has been working with young children and music for over a decade, as a teacher and Director of Music Together of South Delhi.

Keenly interested in Parsi Zoroastrian affairs, she served as the Youth Trustee of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman. Her love for teaching children and her belief in the value of passing on the tenets of Zoroastrianism has led her to join Rukshana Shroff & Kerman Mehta as a facilitator for the Farohar group of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman.

Moderator: Persis Driver

Engage, Educate, Empower: Religious Education for All Developmental Stages

Speaker

Persis Driver is a professor of Developmental Psychology at Dominican University, Chicago with a master’s in teaching, and PhD in Educational Psychology. Her research is in the scholarship of teaching and learning, focusing on how individuals learn, sustain motivation, and interact in teams. She also runs an after-school creative and academic writing program. She is a religious education teacher, curriculum developer, and co-chair of the Children & Youth Religious Education committee at the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAMC) and a recipient of their Community Service Award. She coordinates experiential learning in the Chicagoland area and neighboring states, designing developmentally appropriate curricula, lessons, and activities. She contributes to the FEZANA education group, providing professional development workshops for educators and evaluating age-appropriate lesson plans. She has compiled two guides on developmentally sound teaching practices for students at diverse ages and for sustaining youth engagement, interest, and advocacy in religious education

Speaker

Artemis Javanshir has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University Long Beach and a second bachelor’s in Dental Hygiene from USC. She is the co-chair of the FEZANA Religious Education Committee working on formulating age-appropriate lesson plans with help from accredited religion teachers. She is an active member of the Core Education Committee at the California Zoroastrian Center (CZC) in Los Angeles, teaching Persian history, religion, and Persian classes.

In 2021 she joined the CZC Public Relations Committee which provides information about the Zoroastrian religion to interested individuals. Her greatest joy is working with the youth. Through organizing Essay, Short Story and Drawing Contests she hopes to familiarize the younger community members with the teachings of Zarathushtra. Artemis has been the recipient of the California Zoroastrian Center, 2020 Zoroastrian of the year Saoshyant award. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two girls and two dogs.

This entire track is made possible with the support of the Firuz Madon Foundation, United Kingdom

Youth Track

Abstract

Young Zoroastrians shape the future of Zoroastrianism. Our presence will be felt every day of the Twelfth World Zoroastrian Congress 2022.
Today’s Zoroastrian youth face a new set of issues. These issues, though varying, share one common thread – the desire to build connections within our community. The youth programming aims for participants to learn from each other, network, build rapport and encourage authentic expression.

Join other Young Zoroastrians for these three days (and nights) of exciting experiences and refreshing sessions. When we come together to recognize and acknowledge what is important to us throughout the diaspora and reflect on our unique identity, we will build connections for a stronger future together.

Abstract

We’ve Got the Power, Now We’re Getting Louder

Let’s discuss the topics and issues most relevant to us. Do we like our dhansak with kebabs or without? Are the women really getting the upper hand? Are we as apathetic as the narrative from our elders suggests? In small group discussions, we will answer and ask questions related to our unique identity. A place for conversation on modern outlooks and opinions.

Title

The AVESTAGENOME Project® – The Variant Enriched Biobank to Promote Human Improvement

Abstract

In the early days of known civilization there was the first known monotheistic concept of one supreme intelligence termed Ahura Mazda. By 4000 BCE, southward pastoral migrations led to the settlement of Indo Europeans on the Eurasian Steppes. Several Zoroastrian dynasties ruled the area, across three continents, Europe, Africa and Asia. The Eighth century saw Zoroastrians from Paars and Khorasan setting sail towards India.

Those ‘Indo-European-Persian Zoroastrian Genes and Variants’.

The 10000 AVESTAGENOME Project®, is the science based, variant validated, unfolding story of the journey from the Eurasian steppes, through ancient Iran and into India that deciphers the gnarled roots of this ancient race and civilization, miraculously preserved over centuries and brings science to life.

The AVESTAGENOME Project ®, is a landmark, first-of-its-kind comprehensive biobank-database of the Zoroastrians for deep understanding of human disease. It has assembled the first complete mitochondrial reference genome and the first population specific reference human whole genome, female and male, AGENOME-ZPGRF & AGENOME-ZPGRM. At the mitochondrial level, Parsis shared haplogroup ancestry to Neolithic Iranians, communities of the Caspian Pontic Steppes and the Altai mountains, indicative of the unique genomic landscape of the contemporary Zoroastrian-Parsi among Iranian, Indian and European communities. Variants linked to ageing disorders, certain cancers and rare diseases were found and are being further developed as potential biomarkers and drug targets.

Precision medicine will drive healthcare in the future, providing tailored treatments and prevention strategies to people’s unique characteristics, including their genome sequence, microbiome composition, health history, lifestyle, and diet. While Next-Generation Sequencing has deciphered the genome in its entirety, the pathogenesis of complex, polygenic genetic disease conditions are not fully understood and patients still experience suboptimal clinical outcomes. AVESTAGENOME’s contribution towards the precise understanding of disease will be the ultimate act of participatory philanthropy of Zoroastrians to the future of precision medicine.

Presenter

Villoo Morawala-Patell, Founder and CMD of Avesthagen Limited and The Avestagenome Projects, is an innovator, and a serial entrepreneur involved in international biotechnology development, academic and corporate leadership with a longstanding interest in global development.

Dr.  Patell found Avesthagen Limited and The Avestagenome Project International. Avesthagen Limited is built around the convergence of food, pharma, environment-adjusted agriculture, and population genomics, leading to predictive, preventive, and personalized healthcare driven by a systems biology approach to population genetics and food security. The Avestagenome drug discovery company focusing on the global Zororastrian-Parsi Population for development of novel biomarkers and Drugs for cancers, neuro-degenerative conditions and rare disorders.

Dr. Patell is the recipient of many awards of international and national acclaim as a scientist and as an entrepreneur, including the French National Order from President Nikolas Sarkozy of France.

Title

Global Mobed Community: Serving Zoroastrians Worldwide

Abstract

As Zoroastrian presence worldwide has evolved, so have the Mobeds who serve, guide, and educate the laity. In addition to their Mobed training, their professionalism in their respective academic, scientific, and business fields has equipped them to lead their congregations in Zoroastrian religious and spiritual matters. Mobeds have demonstrated their commitment to serve their communities.

As large numbers of Zoroastrians have migrated to different continents over the past half century, they have brought with them their culture and religious practices as well as a fierce loyalty to preserve them. Mobeds are challenged to respect this loyalty in their pastoral care.

In 2022, the World Zoroastrian Congress will host Mobeds from different continents and feature a discussion that highlights:

• The unique Zoroastrian migration patterns,
• The cultural and spiritual treasures that Zoroastrians bring to their new homelands,
• How co-religionists have adapted to the culture and practices in their new homelands while remaining proud Zoroastrians, and
• How Mobeds are meeting the challenges of modern-day society and adapting to new realities.

This discussion is intended to highlight their successes and challenges as they serve and guide their communities under a single “Zoroastrian” banner while celebrating differences.

Speaker

Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor has been the High Priest of Pak Iranshah at Udvada since 2002. Dasturji Dastoor was educated at the Dadar Athornan Institute. He attained his Navar, Maratab and Shamel at the Iranshah Atashbehram.

Dasturji Dastoor is invited to speak about the Zoroastrian religion and history at community events worldwide. He addressed the 5th World Zoroastrian Congress (2005) in London and the 9th World Zoroastrian Congress (2009) in Dubai. He visited North America in 2010 to address Zoroastrians in Florida, New York, Boston, and Toronto. He was a speaker at the Parliament of World Religions 2021. As an invited guide and supervisor, he officiated the higher religious ceremonies to be performed for the establishment of the first wood burning Atash Kadeh in Houston, Texas.

In December 2015, Dasturji Khurshed spearheaded the Iranshah Udvada Utsav (IUU), the first of its kind. It was attended by approximately 4,000 Parsi and Irani Zarathushtis from all over the globe. The recent restoration and conservation work of the Udvada Atashbehram was completed under his initiation and supervision with the financial support of the Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry family.

Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor is a dedicated proponent of World Peace.

Speaker

Ervad Kaivan Antia lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife Havovi and children Tushna and Fezan. Since arriving in Melbourne in 2004, Kaivan has started a few religious ceremonies in Melbourne like Friday night prayers (with all lights switched off) in front of the holy Atash Dadgah, prayers on significant days and Muktad/Gatha prayers. These prayers were held at Kaivan’s house for several years.

Kaivan is currently the Chair of the Religious-Cultural Committee of the Zoroastrian Association of Victoria. At the 2009 Parliament of World Religions the Zoroastrian delegation led by Kaivan inaugurated the Parliament by reciting the healing manthras of Ashem Vohu and Yatha Ahu Vairyo.

Kaivan is employed by an ASX 200 company and he is the Group Risk Manager responsible for risk management across companies in Australia, UK and NZ. Kaivan prays daily and he has utmost faith in the power of our prayers.

Speaker

Ervad Yazad Bhadha has been the resident priest at Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe since 2014. He completed his priestly studies at the Athornan Institute, under Ervad Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia.

After attaining his M.Com. degree, he was awarded the ZTFE Faridoon and Mehraban Zartoshty Scholarship to study for his M.A. in Zoroastrianism at SOAS University of London. He represents ZTFE as an Executive of Harrow Interfaith, is one of the youngest trustees of Faiths Forum for London and on the Religious Educational Council for England and Wales.

Ervad Yazad serves the Zoroastrian community in UK and Europe by performing various religious ceremonies, advising community members on religious matters, conducts prayer classes, school and university visits, teaches the XYZ Children’s Fun Club, and serves as Social Events Organizer on the Young Zoroastrian Committee. He is Secretary and Head of the Speaker Committee for the 8th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress, hosted by ZTFE in July 2023.

Speaker

Ervad Sheherazad Pavri is a young Yaozdathregar Mobed from Mumbai India. At age 27, he remains one of the handful of Mobeds today capable of performing the Nirangdin ritual. Sheherazad completed his priestly training from the Dadar Athornan Institute in 2010.

Sheherazad has been actively involved in community initiatives. He is a core committee member of the Empowering Mobeds program which works on initiatives for grooming and supporting Mobeds in India. He has also been a volunteer with the Zoroastrian Return to roots programme since 2017 and is currently the ambassador of the GenZAndBeyond survey in India. He strongly believes in giving back to the community to which he owes a lot and is always ready to help out for a good cause.

After graduating in Biotechnology, he started a business with his friend building a global ecommerce project. Last year, he transitioned into data science and is looking forward to starting a career in London.

Moderator

Ervad Arda-e-viraf Minocherhomjee is a Founding and Managing Partner of Chicago Growth Partners, a private equity firm that managed $1.2 billion in assets. Prior to founding CGP, he was a Managing Director of William Blair Capital Partners and Head of William Blair’s Health Care Research. He was a Wall Street Journal All Star Analyst in both the medical device and the pharmaceutical sectors. Arda received a M.Sc. in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. and a M.B.A. from University of British Colombia and was a post-doctoral fellow in pharmacology at University of Washington Medical School. He was a recipient of Tata, Connaught Laboratories, and Canadian Heart Foundation scholarships.

Arda-e-viraf was ordained Navar and Maratab in Navsari. He is actively involved in the North American Zoroastrian community and provides volunteer priestly services to Zoroastrians in the US and western Canada. He is presently serving as the President of the North American Mobeds Council (NAMC).

Title

Leading through crisis the Zoroastrian way

Distinguished Speaker

Lord Karan Bilimoria is the founder of Cobra Beer, Chairman of the Cobra Beer Partnership Limited, a Joint Venture with Molson Coors, and Chairman of Molson Coors Cobra India.

In 2006, Karan Bilimoria was appointed the Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea, making him the first ever Zoroastrian Parsi to sit in the House of Lords. In 2008 he was awarded the Pravasi Bharti Samman, the highest honor conferred on overseas Indians in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad, by the President of India.

In addition to his business activity, Lord Bilimoria is a member of the House of Lords, serves as Chancellor of the University of Birmingham and is president of the Confederation of British Industry. He is the Founding Chairman of the UK India Business Council and a founding member of the Prime Minister of India’s Global Advisory Council. He is also a founding Chair of the WZCC – UK Chapter and has remained involved in their activities. In June 2020, he was appointed President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Lord Bilimoria is an Honorary Group Captain in 601 Squadron Royal Air Force. He is the President of the UK Council on International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Students.

Karan Bilimoria qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young and graduated in law from the University of Cambridge. He is also an alumnus, through executive education, of the Cranfield School of Management, the London Business School, and the Harvard Business School. In July 2014, he was installed as the seventh Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, making him the first Indian-born Chancellor of a Russell Group University in Great Britain. Karan has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from several universities.

Title

Making the Impossible Possible: Enhancing the Global Zoroastrian Excellence Through Entrepreneurship

Abstract

• Do you wish to be a successful entrepreneur?
• Do you wish to learn how to create value?
• Do you wish to give back to the community?

If the answer is YES to any of the preceding questions – ATTEND!

WZCC strives to create economic, social, intellectual value and maximize domain overlap through networking and collective action to Make the Impossible Possible.

Panelists bridge generations and continents. They are committed to give back to the community to Make the Impossible Possible.

Panelists will be prompted by questions to facilitate dialog associated with creating economic, social and intellectual value and to identify principles to Make the Impossible Possible.

The Desired Outcome of this session is: Through Zoroastrian Excellence Make the Impossible Possible.

Economic Value

Panelists

Piruz Khambatta obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Law and attended Wharton Business School at UPenn and IMM Calcutta. He joined the re-launched Rasna in 1978 at age 18 and represents the 3rd generation owner-entrepreneur. It was his ingenious qualities of hands-on management and innovative marketing which propelled Rasna into a legendary Indian success story. Today it controls 85% of the concentrate market with 12 manufacturing plants in India, two abroad and exporting to 53 countries. Rasna has received many prestigious awards. Piruz, also finds time to serve on various Government and NGO boards. He is chairman of the Rasna Foundation and a trustee of Areez Khambatta Benevolent Trust. Piruz is the recipient of the WZCC Outstanding Zarathushti Entrepreneur 2021, Award.

Jehaan Kotwal completed his major in Entrepreneurship and minor in International Studies from Foundation of Liberal and Management Education, Pimpri, India in 2012. He has been leading his family business, JFK Transporters, one of India’s safest transportation services. JFK Transporters provides complete end to end logistics support. As the company’s core competency lies in safety transport, it has its own fleet of trailers and trucks with the most advanced safety features in the country. Jehaan’s latest social venture startup Good Mind is using AI to save over 250 lives daily in road accidents. HumSafer Driver Safety Foundation (NGO) is also working on Driver Welfare. He is the current Youth Director of WZCC and mentor’s young entrepreneurs on their ventures. He believes in leading a balanced life.

Social Value

Panelists

Mira Mehta is co-Founder and CEO of Tomato Jos – a fully integrated farming and processing agribusiness in Northern Nigeria that produces tomato paste and other agricultural products for the domestic market. Before founding Tomato Jos, Miss Mehta worked in the financial services and healthcare sectors in New York and Nigeria, respectively, where she gained valuable technical skills, developed an empathetic worldview, and built a strong network that would empower her to launch a business at the base of the pyramid. She is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Business School and has lived in Nigeria since 2008.  Mira received the WZCC Young Zarathushti Award in 2020.

Ruyintan Mehta was a Serial Entrepreneur in the plastic manufacturing industry for over 25 years in the US. After selling his last company in 2013, he has dedicated his life to giving back to India at least 50% of his net worth to help assist causes that he is very passionate about. He is currently the President of IIT Gandhinagar Foundation and Wheels India Niswarth Foundation, and previously served as President of his Alma mater’s alumni group in the US – IIT Bombay Heritage Foundation. He is also very active in supporting extremely bright but financially challenged college students in India through his involvement with the Dakshana Foundation and Foundation for Excellence. He is a co-founder of Maker Bhavan Foundation and is deeply involved in funding the development of 10 extremely novel and innovative courses in Soft Skills that are offered free of charge to many Indian universities. He is an active member of WZCC New York Chapter.

Intellectual Value

Panelists

Poras Balsara received B.E. degree from VJTI, Mumbai in 1983, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Penn State University in 1985 and 1989, respectively. He is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and the Vice Dean of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science at the University of Texas at Dallas. His research interests include power electronics, energy-efficient systems, and application-specific architectures. He has published several papers and a book in these areas. He has consulted in industry and was involved with startup companies. He is a Fellow of the IEEE. He is active in ZANT and serves as a Zoroastrian priest in North Texas area.

Daryush Mehta is Director of the Voice Science and Technology Laboratory at the Massachusetts General Hospital Voice Center, Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, and consultant to InnoVoyce, a start-up that delivers innovative solutions to treat people with voice disorders. He received a Bachelor’s in electrical engineering and computer science with a minor in music (clarinet) from University of Florida, and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in health science and technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Daryush is funded by the National Institutes of Health to study wearable devices, speech biomarkers of human health, and clinical voice assessment. He is an active member of ZAGBA, teaches children’s religious education classes, and serves as Zoroastrian chaplain at Harvard and MIT. Although not ordained, Daryush is inspired by his grandfather, the late Dasturji Minochehr-Homji of Bombay, who embodied scholarship, kindness, and a philosophy of dialogue and inclusion.

Synthesizer

Karishma Koka is committed to conservation of the Zarathusthi Daena. With her mother Jerou, Karishma co-founded BaHumata: a webinar series promoting respect for Mobeds and increasing awareness of Asho Zarathushtra’s messages, facilitated by Meher Amalsad. Karishma has also set up: 

• The Good Mind – Nurturing, Nature– A series highlighting a Zoroastrian perspective on sustainable-development in Inter-Faith Networks including the Parliament of the World’s Religions. 
• The Zoroastrian Legacy – A ZTFE webinar series highlighting how Zoroastrianism inspires progress in various Disciplines.
• Progressing Sustainably Together – A ZTFE inter-faith series in collaboration with Zoroastrians.net, promoting awareness of Zoroastrianism among other Faiths.

Karishma is the UK Coordinator for the WZCC Zoroastrian Faculty Network and member ZTFE Management Committee.

For her Ph.D. degree (by research, University of Cambridge) and Post-Doctorate (MRC), she studied Neuroscience, Learning and Development. With her mother she co-founded The Ultimate Achievements Academy, encouraged by her father, focusing on holistic education for excellence and empowerment.

Moderator

Farrokh Mistree established and taught Zoroastrian Sunday Schools in Sydney, Australia (1974-80), Houston (1981-1992) and Atlanta (1993-2001). As a member of the FEZANA Awards Committee (1995-1998), he helped the Late Dinshaw Joshi draft the initial articles for the awards. He served on FEZANA’s first Strategic Planning Committee that was convened by Dolly Dastur. He served as Assistant Secretary for the FEZANA Executive and Board (May 2002 to May 2006). Currently, Farrokh, on behalf of the World Zoroastrian Chamber of Commerce, is the coordinator of the Zoroastrian Faculty Network’s monthly webinar series to facilitate conversations between parents and children so that the next generation of Zoroastrians learn how to create economic, social, and intellectual value. Farrokh holds the L.A. Comp Chair at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA. Farrokh is the recipient of the WZCC Outstanding Professional 2021 Award.

Title

Zoroastrian Return to Roots: Looking Back to Move Forward

Abstract

Since 2012, Return to Roots (RtR)has supported nearly 100 Zoroastrian youth from around the globe to visit India to explore their religion and community. The idea of a Zoroastrian Return to Roots Program was born out of the increasing disconnect between those Zoroastrians in the diaspora with their ancestral communities in Iran and India. It is a unique means of fostering community links and identity by taking small groups of youth on trips to explore their religious, social, and cultural heritage.
This session will provide a retrospective from three alumni who will share their experiences of the trip and how they see RtR supporting the next generation of Zoroastrians as they negotiate their ideas of home, belonging and identity in the diaspora. It will also explore challenges and prospects for the program in the future as we emerge out of the pandemic.

Speaker

Leea Contractor lives in Vancouver, Canada where she is an MDes candidate at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. She has a deep interest in reconnecting Zoroastrian youth to their roots. Leea is the first WZO International Youth Representative and Social Media Manager. She is also a volunteer graphic designer for the WZC 2022 and the WZYC 2023. As an RtR fellow, Leea continues to engage with the program by volunteering her time and expertise to support RtR’s media and design strategy. Leea graduated from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Karachi, Pakistan with a distinction in Communications Design. Leea participated in the 6th Return to Roots trip in March 2020.

Speaker

Nerissa Mavalvala lives in Toronto, Canada and works for Reckitt Canada as the HR Manager for the Health & Nutrition business units. Professionally, Nerissa is a certified Human Resources Leader with an undergraduate in business from the Institute of Business Administration, Pakistan, and a master’s in business from Queen’s University, Canada. She is an avid traveller and a sports enthusiast with a passion for community service. Nerissa was part of the entertainment committee of the Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal and participated in the 5th Return to Roots trip in 2019.

Speaker

Mahfrin Santoke lives in Orange County, CA where she works as an elementary school instrumental music teacher and flute player. She is a member of ZAC (Zoroastrian Association of California) and the socials co-chair of ZYNA (Zoroastrian Youth of North America). She has attended several congresses and was a participant of the 6th Return to Roots trip in March 2020. Her hobbies include playing her instruments, hot yoga, travelling, and outdoor activities such as paddle boarding and hiking.

Moderator

Kayras Irani lives in Richmond, Canada and is a paramedic with the British Columbia Ambulance Service. For nearly fifteen years he has served members of his own community as a volunteer with the Zoroastrian Society of British Columbia (Z.S.B.C.). He has taught classes on the Zoroastrian religion to school-aged children and has organized social gatherings for the community. In 2013, he organized a Zoroastrian Youth Professional’s Retreat in Vancouver and in 2011, he volunteered with planning and fundraising for the 5th WZYC. Kayras has also volunteered and/or been a speaker at eight different congresses between 2009 and 2019.

He was in the 2nd Return to Roots trip and has helped run four Zoroastrian Return to Roots trips by providing logistical and medical support for the participants as a team leader. He currently serves as the Vice President of ZSBC and is happily married to Sanaya Master. They are both the proud parents of their daughter Spenta.

Title

An Overview of the Kurdish Zoroastrian Movement 

Abstract

International awareness of Kurdish Zoroastrian revivalism has only recently begun to emerge, and the movement has thus far been characterized by a series of misconceptions: that it is primarily a post-ISIS phenomenon, that it is an “invented tradition,” that it is primarily driven by PKK discourses, and that its numbers are inconsequential. This session will feature in-depth research that explains the historical development of the movement over many decades; the literary tradition that has formed around it; the motivations of Kurdish converts to Zoroastrianism; the interaction of nationalism, spirituality, and moral concern within the movement; the spectrum of modes of affiliation with Zoroastrianism that are being adopted; legal and safety concerns for those who embrace Zoroastrianism; and variation within the personal and spiritual journeys of the converts.

Speaker

Matthew Travis Barber is a University of Chicago Ph.D. candidate who has studied Islamic thought and modern Middle East history. He was centrally involved in the response to the Yazidi Genocide (2014) and served as director of a humanitarian organization that developed aid and advocacy programs for the Yazidi community (2015-2016). His research and publications have dealt with political and human rights issues facing Middle Eastern minorities. These have included a report on the mass graves of Yazidis (2016), surveys of the situation of Assyrian and other Christian communities in Syria and Iraq (2016 & 2017), and a historical overview of the Yazidi Genocide (2022). He also assisted Nadia Murad, Iraq’s first Nobel Peace Prize recipient, in editing the manuscript of The Last Girl, her autobiographical account of surviving enslavement. Matthew has followed the Kurdish Zoroastrian movement for eight years and is completing a book that explores its history, literature, and the personal journeys of its members.

Title

Zoroastrian Genes and Disease Susceptibility

Abstract

Health status and susceptibility to disease vary considerably between ethnic groups. Ethnic groups differ in their genetic susceptibility to diseases. Historically, Zoroastrians have been shown to be genetically susceptible to specific diseases. However, not much is known about the genes or other factors that increase the risk for these diseases in Zoroastrians. To provide more information on genetic susceptibility to disease risk and how this information can be used for the benefit of health forms the crux of this panel discussion. The expert panel, to be moderated by Dr. Morawala-Patell, consists of Dr. Freny Mody, Ms. Ushta Canteenwalla and Dr. Saroja Voruganti.

Speaker

Ushtavaity Davar Canteenwalla is a board certified licensed genetic counselor with over 17 years of experience in clinical genetics. Empowering individuals to take control of their health by helping them understand and navigate their genetic health is her passion.

In 2018 she founded FiND Genetics, an independent telemedicine genetics consulting practice after recognizing that there is a gap in access to genetics support and information for the general population.  Her work currently ranges from providing reproductive, adult, and general genetic counseling, consulting in clinical operations to genetics companies and providers, community genetics education, and mentoring.

Her past experience ranges from running a collaborative care fetal diagnostic center at Columbia University Medical Center, working in prenatal, pediatric, and cardiac genetics, and leading a large nation-wide genetic counseling team at CooperGenomics, a genetic testing lab.

Ushta lives in the suburbs of New Jersey and is a mom to 3 young boys with whom she loves sharing her passion for cooking and baking.

Speaker

Freny Vaghaiwalla Mody, M.D., is a Professor of Clinical Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Director, Heart Failure & Preventive Cardiology Programs Department of Veterans Affairs, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. She has devoted over 30 years of research to the world of cardiology. Dr. Mody has authored book chapters, monographs, editorial reviews, peer-reviewed journal articles and abstracts. She delivers clinical education lectures locally and internationally. She also has bedside and didactic teaching responsibilities.

A recipient of numerous honors, Dr. Mody, in 2019, received the American Heart Association’s highest volunteer honor, The Gold Heart. This was for distinguished service to the community and contributions to the Association to advance the field of cardiovascular medicine. Dr. Mody is also a recipient of the UCLA School of Medicine’s “Award of Excellence in Education”, the VA Wadsworth Alumni Association’s “Lifetime Achievement Award”, and inducted in “Super Doctors of Southern California’s” Hall of Fame for being peer-nominated as a “Super Doctor” in Cardiology for ten consecutive years!

Speaker

Saroja Voruganti is an Associate Professor of Nutrition at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC (UNC). She received her Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin and conducted Postdoctoral Fellowship in Genetic Epidemiology at Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX before moving to UNC. At UNC, she is researching to determine the genetic and lifestyle factors that increase the risk for heart and neurodegenerative diseases and identify non-pharmacological approaches to prevent or minimize the risk for these diseases in diverse ethnic populations. In this respect, she has conducted a pilot study to determine the genetic risk affecting disease risk in the Parsi community. Based on results from her pilot data, she is now seeking to conduct a large-scale study to confirm and validate these results in the Parsi-Zoroastrian community. In the long-term, these results will help formulate nutritional and lifestyle interventions that can help ameliorate the risk for these diseases.

Moderator

Villoo Morawala-Patell, Founder and CMD of Avesthagen Limited and The Avestagenome Projects, is an innovator, and a serial entrepreneur involved in international biotechnology development, academic and corporate leadership with a longstanding interest in global development.

Dr.  Patell found Avesthagen Limited and The Avestagenome Project International. Avesthagen Limited is built around the convergence of food, pharma, environment-adjusted agriculture, and population genomics, leading to predictive, preventive, and personalized healthcare driven by a systems biology approach to population genetics and food security. The Avestagenome drug discovery company focusing on the global Zororastrian-Parsi Population for development of novel biomarkers and Drugs for cancers, neuro-degenerative conditions and rare disorders.

Dr. Patell is the recipient of many awards of international and national acclaim as a scientist and as an entrepreneur, including the French National Order from President Nikolas Sarkozy of France.

Title

Zoroastrian Voices from Iran

Abstract

In both India and Iran, religious rituals and traditional customs have been modified to reflect contemporary constraints on time and space, a diminished priesthood, and not least, migration away from the major Zoroastrian centres.

One of the key changes in religious practice concerns the customs and ceremonies surrounding death. For Iranian/Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians alike these changes are wide-reaching and linked to religious doctrine, ritual, and observance. Yet though each tradition follows the same teachings, their respective histories could not have been more different.

This talk will begin by looking at the textual basis for the beliefs and practices associated with death. It will continue with an exploration of the Iranian context and the major changes that took place in the mid-twentieth century when the use of the dakhmeh as a place for the disposal of the dead began to be replaced with the cemetery as the last resting place for the deceased.

I will discuss some of the unique challenges faced by Iranian Zoroastrians in managing this change; for example, the doctrinal implications of ‘martyrdom’, introduced as a result of the Iran/Iraq war in the 1980s. Personal views and anecdotal evidence will be drawn from interviews undertaken in Iran and published in Voices from Zoroastrian Iran (Routledge 2018 & 2020) to inform this discussion.

Speaker

Sarah Stewart holds the SOAS Shahpoorji Pallonji Lectureship in Zoroastrianism and is co-chair of the SSP Institute of Zoroastrian Studies. Her principal area of research is the Zoroastrian living tradition. Her publications include, in collaboration with Mandana Moavenat, Voices from Zoroastrian Iran, Volumes 1 and 2, which are based on fieldwork accompanied by an archive of recorded interviews. Sarah was the lead curator of the exhibition The Everlasting Flame, Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination (Brunei Gallery, SOAS 2013 and the National Museum, Delhi, 2016) and has recently launched a short introductory online course on Zoroastrianism (https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/zoroastrianism-history-religion-belief ).

Her most recent ongoing project, Gen Z and Beyond digital survey (https://genzandbeyond.com), is the first of its kind and seeks to capture the demographics, religious practices and views of Zoroastrians in the world today.

This session is made possible by the contributions of Dr. Smita & Ervad Xerxes Antia

Title

Healthy Aging

Abstract

The Healthy Aging track aims to take the audiences’ body, mind, and spirit to an optimal level of wellness. The definition of health may change as we age, but the goals for quality of life and healthy aging are a continuous process and remain the same. Join us to learn how to start your health-aging strategy!

Speaker

Nikan Khatibi is CEO and Chairman of the Board for a privately held healthcare company based in California that operates a portfolio of multi-specialty medical offices, pharmacies, and skilled nursing facilities. Outside his private work, Dr. Khatibi is a US Presidential appointee to the National Cancer Advisory Board, Governor appointee to the Health Professions Board, and a Board of Supervisors appointee to CalOptima, which is the largest county health system in California managing close to one million lives with an annual budge of 3.5 billion dollars. In his spare time, he is involved with various non-profit organizations including the Illumination Foundation, Alder, UCI, and the Khatibi Family Scholarship. 

Speaker

Dr. Firuza Parikh is the Director of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics at the Jaslok Hospital and Research Center and Visiting Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of California at Los Angeles, (U.C.L.A.), USA.

Dr. Parikh has trained at the KEM hospital and the Seth G.S. Medical College Bombay and the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven USA. She has had a distinguished career with several gold medals and first ranks. Dr. Parikh’s work has been featured on the front pages of the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe and in over 1100 international newspapers and magazines including Newsweek and Time magazine.

In 1999 Dr. Parikh delivered her 1000th baby for an infertile couple prompting the renowned artist Mr. M.F. Hussain to make a large painting in her honor. She has been actively involved in the Jiyo Parsi program to enhance the fertility rates in the Zoroastrian community.

Moderator

Parmis Khatibi, a daughter of educators, was exposed to and embraced science early. Teaching and treating the underserved is also in her DNA. She spends her days with patients fighting opioid addiction and other life-threatening diseases. Dr. Parmis Kahtibi is the COO of a healthcare corporation in California. They provide comprehensive and interventional pain medicine services and have recently expanded to include mental health and wellness services. Prior to her matriculation for her doctorate, Parmis was a high school teacher in a poverty-stricken area of south central Los Angeles. She implemented many programs that dealt with gang prevention as well as self-esteem and self-confidence issues for young women. Parmis has served as the youngest female Chairwoman for the World Affairs Council of Orange County, an Orange County Board of Supervisors Appointee to the HIV Planning Council and is currently the statewide Vice-President for California Woman’s Leadership Association and Chair, and Generations Council of Farhang Foundation.

This session is made possible by the contribution of Dr. Smita and Ervad Xerxes Antia

Title

Zoroastrian Digital Humanities: From Ancient Texts to Digital Data

Abstract

The growing field of Digital Humanities (DH) seeks to create and preserve human records in digital formats. The aim is to promote knowledge, collaboration, dialog, and create virtual exhibitions by enhancing access to wide-ranging resources, from ancient inscriptions and museum collections to virtual reality and dynamic digitization. The program presents selected aspects of Zoroastrian Digital Humanities (ZDH) and explores the promise of digitally collecting open-source objects of Zarathustra’s legacy. 

The session will address the following topics:

MUYA – The Multimedia Yasna (MUYA) project at SOAS examines the performance and written transmission of the core ritual of the Zoroastrian tradition, the Yasna, whose oldest parts date from the second millennium BCE and whose existence is now under threat. The project is funded by the European Research Council and led by Professor Almut Hintze who has developed an interactive website and virtual reality film of a full-length performance of the Yasna ceremony.

CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK – The City College of New York Archives and Special Collections team, in partnership with the Digital Scholarship Services team, are processing a sampling of Professor K.D. Irani’s personal and professional papers, which highlight the intellectual development of Professor Irani’s ideas. The digitized sampling will be available on the digital library platform, JSTOR Forum. The goal in digitizing a sampling of the Irani collection is to provide a broad snapshot of the wealth of information within the collection and provide digital access to the collection for the Zoroastrian and other research communities. Ultimately, as processing continues, a finding aid will be made available online for research access.

FIRES – FEZANA Information Research and Education System (FIRES) is a centralized collection of books, manuscripts, literature, and scholarly research materials primarily pertaining to the Zoroastrian faith, culture, and history. In this session you will learn about the preservation and digitization of damaged manuscripts and lithographs. We will also discuss the digital recordings of oral histories that have been completed by the Zoroastrian Association of Houston and guide you to start a similar project in your area.

ZOROASTRIAN ARTIFACTS – The potential for gathering Zoroastrian artifacts scattered worldwide in a single digital collection will be explored. A prototype of a digital platform, especially created by Henri d’Orgeval, a French software developer, also the creator of digital projects on learning Avesta and Firdowsi’s Shahnameh, will be displayed. Future prospects for creating a comprehensive collection on the platform will be discussed.

Speaker

Jerry W. Beersdorf II is a Research Assistant at the Archives and Special Collections at The City College of New York. Working in the beauty and fashion industries for the better part of a decade; he decided to return to college in 2016 to pursue his personal and academic passions – Philosophy and Art History. In 2018, he received his Associates of Arts degree majoring in Philosophy from LaGuardia Community College. Mr. Beersdorf attended The City College of New York and in the Spring of 2020, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude, majoring in Philosophy and Art History.

Currently, he is a graduate student at Queens College with the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies. His thesis studies are centered around the archival practice of living artists and he expects to graduate at the end of the Spring 2022 Semester. 

Speaker

Ruzbeh Vistasp Hodiwala is a Doctoral Researcher at SOAS, University of London. He is working on the Zoroastrians-by-choice project in Europe and North America (www.neozoroastrianproject.com). He holds a bachelor’s in Economics from St. Xavier’s College in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and a master’s degree in Iranian Studies from SOAS. He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the SOAS Journal of Postgraduate Research (SJPR).

In 2010, he received an American Field Service cultural exchange scholarship to Italy and has been trained as a trainer in Intercultural Learning and Volunteer and Organization Development with the AFS Intercultural Programs India. Since 2010, he has represented the Zoroastrian community at several national and international conferences on interfaith harmony and religious freedom and has worked for the conservation of the Bahrot Caves. Before beginning his Ph.D., Ruzbeh had returned to India to work as an assistant to a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Gujarat.

Speaker

Aban Rustomji is a passionate advocate for libraries and public education. She earned her MS in Library Science from the University of Karachi and worked for 30 years in university and high school libraries. 

Aban was raised in Quetta, Pakistan, but eventually settled in Houston, Texas, with her husband and children. As an active member of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston, Aban has been involved in North American Congresses, including the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress held in Houston. 

Aban is also the founder and co-chair of the FEZANA Information Research and Educational System (FIRES), headquartered at the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH). FIRES collects books, manuscripts, and artifacts to further the awareness of the Zoroastrian faith, history, and culture. FIRES also offers dynamic programming, such as a lecture series, an oral history project, and annual exhibitions. 

She is co-chair of the Program Committee for the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress.

Speaker/Moderator

Kersi B. Shroff is a founding member and past president of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington Inc. (ZAMWI, 1979). He Co-Chairs the FEZANA Research & Preservation Committee and is a committee member of the Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism and World Zoroastrian Organization (WZO).

As attorney, Kersi served the US Government as Chief, Western Law Division and Co-Director of congressional legal research. He holds a master’s degree in Comparative Laws, and is a Barrister, Inns of Court, England. 

An interfaith activist, Kersi has given talks on Zoroastrianism and published articles on its history and traditions. Kersi has volunteered with archaeological expeditions in the Avestan regions of Chorasmia, Sogdiana and Bactria (Tajikistan & Uzbekistan). A fire temple in Paikand, near Bukhara, Uzbekistan, mentioned in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, has lately been his focus. In 2021, FEZANA provided funding to extend excavations by a week. A UNESCO World Heritage Site designation is anticipated.

Title

How to Become a Joyful Centenarian

Abstract

During Act One of our lives, we focus on careers to support ourselves and our families. With lifespans expanding to 90+ years, we need to plan for a productive Act Two! This track provides a roadmap for navigating our second act when we have more latitude in our choices and also face aging. This program will help us plan for aspects that we can control. We will share global perspectives on challenges and resources for Zoroastrians.

This subject shall be covered in two distinct sessions.

Session 1:

Reinventing Oneself: Hear from individuals who created a successful Act Two, changing the definition of “retirement” to a productive life of purpose. They switched careers in mid-life by leveraging talent, interest in hobbies, philanthropy and volunteering. Learn how they maintain deep personal connections and find their inner sense of engagement. 

Session 2:

Aging Across the Zoroastrian World: We will share perspectives on aging from North America, India/Pakistan, Australia/NZ, UK/Europe, North America, Iran/Middle East. The audience is invited to share their suggestions. This discussion will generate input for a white paper to inform FEZANA, WZO, ZTFE, and other global Zarathushti organizations.

Speaker

For over three decades, Linda Blanchard has been a social worker with Adult Protective Services in the state of New Mexico, helping elders and persons with disabilities. She works with adults and their families and collaborates with community providers so adults can remain safe, productive, and have their needs met. Respectful of adults’ rights, she honors their position as the center of the decisions made about their situation and life. 

Linda also recognizes the invaluable role of family, neighbors, and friends in assisting needy and vulnerable adults. She has a broad and deep base of knowledge about adult needs, services and resources and loves assisting adults to reach their goals and maximum potential.

Speaker

Fereshteh Yazdani-Khatibi is currently the Chief Impact Officer (CIO) at Ahura Healthcare Corporation. As a senior leadership executive, she reports directly to the CEO and provides strategic leadership, management, guidance, and provides oversight and governance on internal processes of the company. Prior to her role, she was in retirement after spending twenty plus years as a School Administrator for one of the largest public-school systems in the US. 

Speaker

A resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bomi Parakh has over three decades of work experience in all parts of the healthcare continuum, including some of the nation’s leading HMOs, hospital systems, multispecialty physician practices, and post-acute providers.

Bomi was instrumental in starting the New Mexico HMO Association and was a founding member of its Board.  He served on the Board of Tri-West, a healthcare provider for 2.9 million TriCare/CHAMPUS beneficiaries of the uniformed services.

For the past two decades, Bomi held executive positions in the senior housing and long-term care industries. He was involved in trade association activities for the long-term care and assisted living industries. 

Bomi’s current interests are in the areas of digital art and other high-tech mediums of artistic expression. His work is exhibited in local galleries and art shows.

Speaker

Neville Homi Sarkari presently manages his investments and focuses on Zarine Neville Sarkari Foundation projects, making sure they are in the right direction with his goals.  He started a business in Hospitality in 1997. Being an entrepreneur with no family experience in business, it was a learning journey to become self-motivated and envision different scenarios and contingencies before taking any action. In October 2021, he retired from the Motel Management business. During his wife Zarine’s illness, he saw other patients’ families struggling between medical care and their finances. Moved but this, he set up an Endowment Funds with FEZANA to help those Parsi families who need extra help in paying daily bills besides hospitalization and medical costs.  

Speaker

Freyaz Shroff was born and raised in India and educated in America, Freyaz moved back to India in 2006 with a Bachelors in Sociology and an M.B.A. in International Business and Marketing. Despite a successful corporate career, both in America and India, in mid-2018, Freyaz chose to step into a direction that spoke more to her heart. 

Freyaz, established “KurNiv Foundation,” a non-profit organization, focused on preparing students, living primarily below the poverty line, in gaining admission into and completing college graduation through a proven peer to peer mentorship model.   

Freyaz spoke at the United Nations’ Commission of the Status of Women (UN CSW) in 2012.  Her students addressed the UN CSW in 2021.  Freyaz won the Jamshed Pavri Humanitarian Award in 2012.

Moderator

Dolly Dastoor has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology specializing in assessment of dementia. She is the Chair of the Education Committee of the McGill University Research Centre in Studies in Aging and is on the faculty of Psychiatry at McGill University. Before immigrating to Canada she worked for World Health Organization (WHO) as Senior Research Fellow, at University of Ibadan, Nigeria. In Montreal she joined the Douglas Hospital in 1973 as a research Fellow and retired in 2013 as Clinical Administrative Chief of the Program in Dementia with Psychiatric Co-morbidity which she had established.

Dolly Dastoor is past president of FEZANA 1994-1998, where she developed the first Strategic Plan, and the current editor-in chief, of the FEZANA JOURNAL. She Chairs the FEZANA Scholarship Program and co-Chaired the Seventh World Congress in Houston in 2000.  As a Zoroastrian Trustee on the Board of the Parliament of World Religions (2016-21) she was elected Vice-chair and helped organize two international convenings. 

Moderator

Writing as Nev March, author Nawaz Merchant is the first Indian-born writer to win the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America Award for Best First Crime Fiction. After a long career in business analysis, she returned to her passion of writing fiction. Her historical mystery Murder in Old Bombay portrays themes of feminism and race in an action adventure that is also a love story. It was a finalist for six national mystery awards, including the prestigious Edgar and Anthony Awards. Nawaz has been published in Writer’s Digest, Mystery Tribune, Crime Reads, Parsiana, and other magazines. She’s edited issues of the FEZANA Journal and contributed socio-political articles to The South Asian Times. She now teaches creative writing at Rutgers-Osher Institute and volunteers with ZAGNY, FEZANA, Mystery Writers of America, and Shine and Inspire, a Mercer County non-profit. Her upcoming novel Peril at the Exposition will be published July 2022.

Title

Zoroastrians at the United Nations

Opportunities to Engage

Abstract

Educational opportunities to empower disadvantaged sectors of civil society and action programs that individuals can take locally to address issues of Climate Change will be the focus of this panel discussion.

Fifteen-year-old high school student Mahtab B. Dastur from Houston, founder of a non-profit Books2Smiles, will explore with Afreed Mistry, FEZANA’s main representative at the UN, opportunities to engage on the Ava Project. Co-panelist, Freyaz Shroff, founder of KurNiv Foundation will share a model developed in the streets of Mumbai to help the needy.

Come, join our progressive team.

Speaker

Afreed Mistry has been volunteering for the Zoroastrian Community since the age of 13.  She has been actively involved with the local Toronto community, FEZANA and the Global Zoroastrian community. In 2018, she was one of the Masters of Ceremonies at the 11th World Zoroastrian Congress in Perth, Australia.  Afreed has co-Chaired two North American Zoroastrian Youth Congresses in Toronto and Miami. She has attended twelve Zoroastrian Congresses all over the World and has been a speaker at six of them. Afreed is also FEZANA’s main representative to the United Nations.  She has attended and presented at eight United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) Conferences.

Speaker

Freyaz Shroff was born and raised in India and educated in America, Freyaz moved back to India in 2006 with a Bachelors in Sociology and an M.B.A. in International Business and Marketing. Despite a successful corporate career, both in America and India, in mid-2018, Freyaz chose to step into a direction that spoke more to her heart.

Freyaz, established “KurNiv Foundation,” a non-profit organization, focused on preparing students, living primarily below the poverty line, in gaining admission into and completing college graduation through a proven peer to peer mentorship model.

Freyaz spoke at the United Nations’ Commission of the Status of Women (UN CSW) in 2012.  Her students addressed the UN CSW in 2021.  Freyaz won the Jamshed Pavri Humanitarian Award in 2012.

Moderator

Mahtab B. Dastur is a 15-year-old in 10th grade from Spring, Texas. She is immensely involved in her community and is extremely proud of her Zoroastrian faith. Mahtab and her brother have founded their own non-profit organization called Books2Smiles which sends books around the world to those who do not have access to them, particularly children. Mahtab believes the environment is a precious resource that must be preserved for future generations and that helping those less fortunate is her duty. In her free time, Mahtab enjoys reading and dancing. Mahtab’s lifelong goal is to make a lasting difference in the world.

Title

The Future God

Abstract

Religion is declining as people’s identification with atheism increases in the civilized world. Religion has failed to solve any of the major problems of humanity, and it offers few solutions for the serious problems we face today. To the Millennials the focus is not on who created the world, but on who is destroying it.

Much has been written about the rise of the “nones” -people who check the box for “none” on surveys of religious affiliation. These “nones” have moved from Abrahamic religions into New Age spiritual movements. Some identify with the Zoroastrian School of Thought, who want factual evidence to support their beliefs.

For most people, the religious community is a central part of any person’s identity, the meaning they find in life and social world. Changing this crucial aspect of themselves will have significant psychological consequences. The few studies that have examined the consequences for health and well-being of individuals, reveal the importance of the effects of religious disaffiliation and emphasize the relationship between religious affiliation and health.
So, the religion of the next generation would emphasize social justice, spirituality, and community over scripture. It would not only have the same basic aspirations for life, liberty, and happiness, but also be consistent with science and facts. A global community that exists within the laws of Asha.

Let’s explore what Future God the Millennials could worship!

Speaker

Arman Ariane was born in Tehran, Iran in 1960, and moved to Vienna, Austria at the age of 14 where he attended high school and college. At age 24, Arman moved to Los Angeles where he met his wife Mojgan, and together they raised their two sons Parsa and Kourosh. In the late 90s Arman was the Zoroastrian representative at Claremont Graduate University’s board, where he was instrumental in the endowment of a Zoroastrian studies program. Arman introduced actor Morgan Freeman to Zoroastrianism in a National Geographic documentary, and Mr. Freeman has declared himself a Zoroastrian ever since. Arman has been an active member of CZC for 30 years and the president of the board of trustees for 5 years. During his presidency CZC hosted the 7th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress and a FEZANA AGM in California. Arman is a fashion designer and retailer under three brand names – Xerxes For Gents, Susa Boutique and Persepolis Indulgence.

Title

The Era of Divine Awakening! Hear from our Female Mobed-yārs.

Abstract

In ancient Iran, women played prominent leadership roles and were highly respected and equal to men. This equality was observed during the Achaemenid, Parthians, and earlier eras of the Sassanid empires. Following the Arab invasion, 1400 years ago, their strong equal standing in Iranian society was compromised. During this time, Zoroastrian women continued to play a pivotal role in keeping the religion alive and prospering.

Although gender equality has been a central tenet of the religion, traditionally priestly duties have remained a male-dominated role. Over the last few years, however, this has started to change with some women choosing to pursue intensive training and religious study to become Mobed-yārs. In this panel discussion, we will hear the stories of these remarkable female Mobed-yārs as they take us on their spiritual journey. Why did they choose this path? What types of training were involved? What are the challenges and rewards of being a female Mobed-yār? How can other Zoroastrian women embark on such a journey?

Speaker

Teshtar Irani has been part of ZAGNY for over thirty years. Her family immigrated to New York from Mumbai in 1981. She worked in health insurance but now enjoys retirement with her grandsons Desta and Kian. In her spare time she enjoys reading, visiting museums and art galleries and volunteering at soup kitchens and food pantries.

At ZAGNY, Teshtar was active in teaching religious classes, and she still participates in all community activities such as conferences, Jashna, Muktad prayers and seniors group.

Teshtar has been training to be a Mobed-yār. In November 2021 the North American Mobed Council certified her and, Khurshid Mehta as Mobed-yārs. The journey has been a challenge, but the rewards, fulfillment and joy have been abundant.

Speaker

Panteha Soroushpoor was born in Kerman, Iran, grew up in Tehran, and moved to the United States in her 20s. She is from a Mobed family. Her grandfather is Mobed Ardeshir Oshidari, and her brother is also a Mobed. Her lineage inspired her to pursue her training and become a Mobed-yār in 2021.

She has been a Board Member of the Zoroastrian Students Association in Tehran, head of the news department at Amordad News Agency and the Farvahar Journal. She is also an active organizational member of the Zoroastrian Youth Congresses held in Iran.

Panteha is a GIS Analyst and PMP certified, working with Area-911.

Moderator

An accountant by trade, Armita Jahanian Dalal, was born in a priestly Zoroastrian family in Tehran, Iran. She migrated with her parents to the USA in 1984, and ever since, she has been volunteering her time for the Zoroastrian community. She has been a board member of several Zoroastrian organizations and an avid member of the education group in Los Angeles, California, teaching the Young. She co-founded the Core-Education Committee, a CZC–LA subcommittee (California Zoroastrian Center) in Los Angeles County, CA for the purpose of establishing standards and curriculum for religious classes.

In 2021 she co-founded a spiritual non-profit organization rooted in the Zoroastrian philosophy called “Doorway to Joy.” (www.doorwaytojoy.org)
She is a certified wedding officiator and in March of 2022 has been granted the Mobed-yār title by the “Kankāsh-e Mobedān” in Iran.

Title

One Zarathushtra, Many Zoroastrians: Iraqi Kurds Reclaim Their Heritage.

Abstract

A faith-driven awakening has been achieved in Kurdistan, Iraq. Since 2015, reports continue to mount of several thousand Kurds that have declared themselves to be Zoroastrians and are practicing the faith – a bold and courageous move in an Islamic country. In that year, the Kurdish Regional Government enacted a law allowing its religious minorities to freely declare their religious affiliations. Zarathushtra’s divine message having resonated with them through the ages, the new law is formally facilitating a return to Zoroastrianism.

Under the theme “Bridging the Global Zoroastrian Existence”, the unique aspirations of Kurdish Zoroastrians will be examined in-depth before a worldwide audience. A long-time Zoroastrian activist from Kirkuk, Iraq, who has also translated the Gathas into the Kurdish language, is specially invited to give an objective account: of all aspects of the movement towards Zoroastrianism; the understanding and manner of practice of the faith; and the challenges faced and help and support that could be provided to Kurdish Zoroastrians.

The session is moderated by a scholar who has conducted on-the-ground research and studies in Iraq of minority faiths and is due to publish a book on Kurdish Zoroastrianism. The Moderator will expertly conduct the program to fully inform the audience of the salient features of the movement. A Q & A period will follow.

Speaker

Faiza Foad is a humanitarian and human rights activist from Kirkuk, Iraq. Spanning several decades, her work has involved the development of social services for women and children, advocacy for religious minorities, and the documentation of atrocities in the Anfal genocide. She has worked for a wide range of local and international NGOs, foreign consulates, and several UN agencies. Faiza is also one of the leading voices among Zoroastrian activists in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Faiza first encountered Zoroastrianism in the early 1980s and began translating articles on the faith into Kurdish and Arabic. In 2006, she founded a Kirkuk-based organization dedicated to raising awareness of Zoroastrianism. She also partners with other Kurdish Zoroastrians to give lectures, produce publications, host religious events, and provide education related to Zoroastrianism. In 2019, she published a Kurdish translation of the Gathas. She currently serves as a board member of the Alliance of Iraqi Minorities.

Moderator

Matthew Travis Barber is a University of Chicago Ph. D. candidate who has studied Islamic thought and modern Middle East history. He was centrally involved in the response to the Yazidi Genocide (2014) and served as director of a humanitarian organization that developed aid and advocacy programs for the Yazidi community (2015-2016). His research and publications have dealt with political and human rights issues facing Middle Eastern minorities. These have included a report on the mass graves of Yazidis (2016), surveys of the situation of Assyrian and other Christian communities in Syria and Iraq (2016 & 2017), and a historical overview of the Yazidi Genocide (2022). He also assisted Nadia Murad, Iraq’s first Nobel Peace Prize recipient, in editing the manuscript of The Last Girl, her autobiographical account of surviving enslavement. Matthew has followed the Kurdish Zoroastrian movement for eight years and is completing a book that explores its history, literature, and the personal journeys of its members.

Title

Zoroastrian Footprints: WZC2022 Legacy Project

Abstract

The population of Zoroastrians in India and Pakistan has been steadily declining for decades and whereas there are attempts to stem the tide, it appears that the steady decline will continue. According to the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) in more than fifty of the eighty towns in the country where Parsis once lived, the anjumans or associations are defunct. The population in Iran is smaller and declining rapidly.

At the same time the population, in the Diaspora, shows signs of steadily increasing. There has been a steady exodus of young Zoroastrians from India and Pakistan to other countries, primarily the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Zoroastrians in the Diaspora continue to establish new regional associations.

It is vital and of historic importance to capture all available information to date and to keep adding in perpetuity.

Vision. A multi-lingual, global system that will collect, preserve, organize, and share all things Zoroastrian from all available sources to provide a rich resource for the community and ensure that this information is available for posterity.

What is it? An amalgam of the capabilities of:

• Wikipedia – Authoritative and factual information
• Facebook – Community.
• YouTube – Entertainment and education.
• Instagram/Pinterest.

We will lawfully accumulate and index information from these and other sources such as websites and direct contribution of material. People will be encouraged to contribute their knowledge on all entries.

This introduction will serve as a first step in creating a Steering Committee to move this vision into reality.

Initiator/Speaker

Astad J. Clubwala was born in Karachi, Pakistan and grew up in Mumbai and Chennai, India. Since 1975 he has lived with his family in the New York / New Jersey area. 

He has been actively involved in Zoroastrian community affairs and is the Co-Chair of this Twelfth World Zoroastrian Congress. Astad has served as the President of the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York (ZAGNY) from 1990 to 1994 and from 2014 to 2020. He has also served on the Board of Trustees of the Arbab Rustom Guiv Dar-e-Mehr Zoroastrian Temple (DMZT) from 1993 to 1995 and from 2006 to 2012. Astad is also the lifetime hereditary trustee of the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher in Chennai, India.

During his tenure as President and Trustee he led the five year effort, against a legal challenge, to successfully retain ownership of the Dar-e-Mehr property for the community. He was also instrumental in helping draft the new Constitution and By-laws of DMZT, to be in accordance with the Religious Corporation Law of New York. 

Professionally, Astad is President of his own company, Hudson Ethics 2 LLC, which provides consultancy services to Ethics Offices of a number of UN Agencies.

Speaker

Homi Byramji is a proven and successful entrepreneur experienced in building companies into profitable, innovative and industry leading companies. He has been the CEO and board member of several public and private companies and charitable organizations, and as Senior Vice President of Thomson Reuters, Homi managed over 3,000 people around the world.

Homi has a long history of innovation and recognizing market trends early. He created the world’s first touch-tone input and synthesized voice response application, was one of the early pioneers of the personal computer era, and championed the advertising supported electronic dissemination of financial information on the web.

Mr. Byramji is presently engaged in using eco-tourism and sustainable development to preserve a wildlife refuge in Nicaragua and to improve the lives of the people in the area.

Homi has a B. Tech. in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Bombay, and an MBA from Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Details TBA