“Be wary of ‘worshippers’”

Since the independence of the former USSR republics, persons of Zoroastrian ancestral stock are reviving their faith as too are persons of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Christians, Muslims, Buddhists living in these geographical areas. In the Krasnadar district of Russia, since 1998 a fire-temple has been built. In Uzbekistan, in Tashkent district there is a Zoroastrian school where 400 child­ren aged 10-20 years are studying the Avesta and the Zoroastrian religious scriptures. As regards the Zoroastrians of Old Iran (some of the count­ries now renamed, republics of the former USSR), again both Dasturs (Drs) Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa and Firoze Kotwal have rushed into Press on mere hearsay. Who were the "two respected Zoroastrians from London” who did not find any Zoroastrian traces in their travels in Tajikistan? What places did they visit in Tajikistan? What was their correct report?

Since mobeds from India do not know Per­sian, the Iranian mobeds were invited to perform the navjotes of Tajik Zoroastrians in Dushanbe, the capital city. Would the Dasturs kindly educate the public as to why they consented to the navjote in India of an aged Christian gentleman born of a Christian father? On the basis of what authority have they done this deed? Why do they now perform a turnaround and complain if other mobeds follow their precedent? After all it is the mobeds who perform the navjotes, not we the orthodox behdin community members. By such actions they are bringing the athornans into disrespect.

As regards Ardeshiri the matter is between him and the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman as to whether or not he is a Zoroastrian from Tehran, Iran.

So far as the Zoroastrian College is concerned, I as president and others connected with the one and only Zoroastrian College in the world will continue to do our best to spread the knowledge of the Zoroastrian religion to our fellow Zoroastrians worldwide, disregarding the deliberate and intentional defamation of the Zoroastrian College, which is a globally recognized seat of higher learning and research.

All the institutions named by the Dastur duo in USA, UK and Germany are governed by global education laws and European union laws. USA, UK and Germany and many other countries including India are signatories to the United Nations’ conventions under which the one and only Zoroastrian College in the world is functioning; and the question does not arise of any of these institutions named by them not recognizing the Zoroastrian College and the degrees issued through it. In 2000 at the United Nations convened first Global Summit of Heads of Religion, as Zoroastrian College president I was the solitary repre­sentative of the Zoroastrian religion in the official delegation from India.

This pair of prelates have only themselves to thank for raising a controversy where none exists. It would have been wiser for them to have discussed with me, Ervad Yazdi Nadirsha Aibara, panthaky of Karani Agiary and the persons concerned from Iran and Tajikistan before rushing to Press.

Prof (Dr) MEHER MASTER-MOOS

President, Zoroastrian College