Readers' Forum
Bam tragedy
It’s January 1st 2004/How can we this tragedy ignore?/If I could kiss the sun-dried cheeks/Of each survivor individually/Erase the memory of this/Horrific tragedy.
Relieve them of the/Suffering and pain/Assure them that/This horrific tragedy/Would never happen again/Who am I to defy nature?/’Cause it’s in the hands/Of our Creator.
It’s heart wrenching/To see the death/And destruction/Of innocent people/Ancient civilization/O! why this infliction/On the people of Bam?/Where everything was serene/So calm!
As the river of tears/Continues to flow/Fearful of what the/Future holds/Words fail to express/Our deepest sympathies/And sincere condolences/May their sweet souls/Rest in eternal peace/In our heart this memory/Will always hold/May Ahura Mazda/Help to heal this/Irreparable loss.
May the coming years/Bring glad tidings/And good cheer/May they always/Be filled with/Rainbows, sunshine/As well blue skies/Instead of sadness and tears.
FARIDA BAMJI
Ontario, Canada
At the earthquake site in Bam
Photo: Mehraneh Atashi/Reprinted with permis-sion from www.Iranian.com
A terrible earthquake in Iran on December 26 devasted the city of Bam.
The World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) is in touch with local Zoroastrians and, as far as we can ascertain at the moment, we believe that seven Zoroastrians have died and 35 have survived.
In view of the disaster, the board of WZO, London, have decided to raise funds to help the victims of this earthquake. The board therefore appeals to you to send your donations for this very worthy humanitarian cause. The WZO will assign one of the committee members to go to the area and work with the local Zoroastrians to ensure that the funds are allocated properly.
Please send your donation which is tax deductible to:
•India: Dinshaw K. Tamboly, Shanti, 5th floor, 6, Banaji Street, Fort, Bombay 400001, India. Cheques payable to "World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust.”
•Pakistan: Toxy Cowasjee, 2 A, Mary Road, Bath Island, Karachi 75530, Pakistan. Cheques payable to "WZO.”
•Canada: Marzi Byramjee, 288, Alscot Crescent, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 4R4. Cheques payable to "OZCF.”
•UK and the rest of the world: Rumi Sethna, 10 Woodcote Lane, Purley, Surrey, CR8 3HA, UK. Cheques payable to "WZO.”
RUMI SETHNA
Chairman, The World Zoroastrian Organisation
Surrey, UK
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From the archive