AZA clarifications

The articles "The need to nurture” and "Dissent in Sydney,” (Zoroastrians Abroad, Parsiana, September 2001) about the Australian Zoroastrian Association (AZA) based in Sydney need some clarifications.

The first article reviews several issues about AZA, one of which was the Secret Women’s Business (SWB) workshop held in Sydney to assess and review social and cultural needs of the community. The nine-page report contained a page of statistical analysis from the responses obtained from the participants. Statistics reported in your article relating to the social issues faced by our community states, and I quote, "Though only 43 of the women who attended responded to the questionnaire... Alcoholism, drugs, physical abuse and homosexuality were faced by about 30 percent of the respondents.”

There are two relevant issues involved — the sample size and what was the actual question asked. The sample size of only 43 (as mentioned in your article) out of an approximately 348 eligible adult women is not adequate considering the sensitive issues. But more important, much more important is the question asked. The actual question asked of the respondents in the SWB report was: "Do you believe that any of the following (social issues like alcoholism, drugs, divorce, etc) are of concern to AZA?” The response to this question elicited yes/no answers and 13 women (30 percent) said ‘yes’ for alcoholism, physical abuse and drugs, only nine women (21 percent) said ‘yes’ to homosexuality — not 30 percent as reported in Parsiana.

But what does all this mean? This response can be interpreted in a number of ways. Concern to AZA is a very general question and one’s perception of a problem in the community therefore cannot be strictly equated (certainly not statistically) to "faced by” as is done in your article. There is a subtle difference and an important one. Interestingly for the other issues like intermarriage, divorce, unemployment, etc, you chose not to give any statistics, but an observation like "were seen to be the overriding problems,” although intermarriage and divorce scored as high as 81 percent and 67 percent respectively, as concerns by the members!

The AZA through the SWB project has taken a very bold step to examine and identify social issues perhaps facing some in the community. The direction of this effort was only to identify the issues. Unfortunately the statistical part should not have been included in the report, especially due to the ambiguity of the question and the inadequate sample size.

Most of the social issues identified in the report are not unique to the AZA community but are worldwide phenomena facing society, irrespective of religious or ethnic backgrounds. Our effort should be to try and assist those people who may require assistance and would welcome help, not to encroach on any-body’s privacy.

The AZA is a dynamic, united (no factions or groups) Association actively pursuing to preserve our religion and culture. Sunday school for kids, adult discussion groups, Gujarati language classes (Persian language classes to recommence soon), jashans, ghambars. Parsi and Persian festival functions, sports, Parsi nataks (plays), etc are regular features. Members take passionate and active interest in issues which results in healthy and constructive discussions at annual general and other meetings. Of course different opinions are freely expressed by members as in a normal democratic society, before a final vote is taken (the word dissent used in your article was a bit harsh, I thought). Let me also assure your readers that the location of the AZA House does not impede participation by members, as reported in your article. In fact I am indeed intrigued by this statement, as the AZA House in the leafy suburb of Annangrove has stood on this site for almost 15 years. We fail to understand how the location is now posing a problem.

NOSHIR IRANI

President

Australian Zoroastrian Association, Sydney

Arnavaz Mama replies

Regarding the article "The need to nurture,” the excerpted phrases raise questions which do not arise when the paragraph is read in its entirety, viz "Though only 43 of the women who attended responded to the questionnaire provided to them, the responses, as presented by Mistry in her report, are revealing. Intermarriage, the care of elderly parents, divorce, unemployment and child custody were seen to be the overriding problems, in the order listed. Alcoholism, drugs, physical abuse and homosexuality were faced by about 30 percent of the respondents. The women identified the need for doctors, social workers, counselors and lawyers, child support and AZA assistance.” While we are happy to learn from you that there are 348 adult Zarathushti women in Sydney today, the article notes that 43 responses were received from the 70 women who attended the workshop. However, I stand corrected that nine women, not 13 (21 percent not 30 percent) said ‘yes’ to homosexuality.

Regarding the accessibility of AZA House may we refer to the SWB report’s identification of social, cultural and religious issues (page 4) where it is stated: "Geographical location of AZA and the subsequent travel restrictions imposed for many. No public transport. Isolation of members caused by the location of AZA House and the lack of transport.”