The conversion factor

I have observed that at seminars, debates and in journals pertaining to the Zoroastrian religion, the orthodox have lambasted Ali Jafarey, calling him a Muslim and a liar who has discredited our scriptures. Their main ire is against Jafarey converting people to the Zoroastrian faith.

With all due respects to such people, I have met Jafarey, both in India and abroad, and I have still to find a man who is more knowledgeable, not only in our scriptures, but in the true meaning of the Zoroastrian faith. That is all that matters, and not what he is, or what he was.

Regarding conversion, I hope it is realized that our Zoroastrian population is fast dwindling, due to various reasons such as higher deaths compared to births, migration to North America, Canada and UK leading to an increase in mixed marriages whose children are not accepted in our faith. A time will soon come, I would say 75 years, when unless we induct new blood in our fold, the Zoroastrian religion in general, and the Parsi tribe in particular, will be found only in the religious archives, as happened with the Incas of South America.

Brig (Retd) NOSHIR B. GRANT

Poona