Faith and FEZANA

The formation of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), as a not-for-profit corporation was for the exclusive purpose of religious and charitable activities. Imbedded in FEZANA’s constitution are three pertinent clauses which clearly, emphatically and irrevocably state that:

FEZANA will "promote the study, understanding and practice of the Zoroastrian faith and the welfare of the Zoroastrian community.”

FEZANA will "promote, perpetuate and teach the Zoroastrian religion as set forth in the teachings of the Prophet Zarathushtra and the Zoroastrian faith.”

FEZANA will "engage in and support any activities that nurture and support the Zoroastrian faith and Zoroastrian communities.”

Based on the above statements enshrined in the constitution, it is evident that FEZANA is a religious-based organization and Zoroastrianism is the religion which the organization will perpetuate and promote. FEZANA therefore is established as a Zoroastrian religious-based organization, serving the North American (NA) Zoroastrian community, rather than a secular organization serving Zoroastrian and other religious communities. It is formed not only to serve the Parsis from the Indian sub-continent or the Zarathushtis from Iran, but all practicing Zarathushtis from all over the world (who have settled in North America and belong to member associations), who call themselves Zarathushtis and/or practice the "Zoroastrian religion as set forth in the teachings of the Prophet Zarathushtra and the Zoroastrian faith.”

Nowhere in the constitution of FEZANA is the word Zarathushti or Zoroastrian legally and/or formally defined nor does FEZANA require any form of litmus test whatsoever, from its member associations, whether their respective memberships consist of Parsis from the Indian sub-continent or the Zarathushtis from Iran or Zarathushtis from any other countries of the world, to prove in a legalistic and/or religious way, that they are Parsis or practicing Zoroastrians.

The so-called members of FEZANA are NA Zoroastrian associations, and in turn their members come from a variety of backgrounds with one common bond, in calling themselves collectively, Zoroastrians and not Parsis. Nowhere in the FEZANA constitution is it mentioned that members of its associations must be initiated into the religion by a navjote ceremony, nor is there any prerequisite that the navjote must be performed by an ordained priest from India, Iran or North America. Furthermore the wearing of a sudreh-kusti or attendance at a dar-e-meher are not mandatory prerequisites for being a member of an association.

FEZANA therefore is a Zoroastrian religious-based organization, without really defining who the Zoroastrians are or where they can be from, or under whose authority they can be classified as Zoroastrians or not.

Interestingly the word "promote” (the Zoroastrian faith) in the constitution also means, encourage the Zoroastrian faith, support the Zoroastrian faith, and most importantly sponsor the Zoroastrian faith. The word "perpetuate” (the Zoroastrian religion) in the constitution is also to bring about awareness of the Zoroastrian religion, and be responsible for the Zoroastrian religion.

Per above, it is quite evident that some of the many purposes of FEZANA, include the promotion and perpetuation of the Zoroastrian faith and religion, not only to those who already call themselves Zoroastrians or within the existing NA Zoroastrian community only (since it places no such restrictions and/or explicitly mentions it in the constitution), but to reach out to all those who want to practice Zoroastrianism or adhere to the "teachings of the Prophet Zarathushtra.”

Any association who is a dues paying member of FEZANA and does not subscribe and/or accept in principle, the purpose clauses in the constitution of FEZANA, not only is doing its constituents a disservice, but in fact continues to deceive them.

When the constitution states that FEZANA will "teach the Zoroastrian religion as set forth in the teachings of the Prophet Zarathushtra and the Zoroastrian faith” — it does not mean or restrict that it will only "teach” (the religion) to the existing Parsis or Zoroastrians from Iran or to those born in North America, or to the children of parents who are both Zoroastrians or where a father is a Zarathushti or mother is a Zarathushti.

I believe that the framers of the FEZANA constitution had a far-sighted vision and they consciously kept the language in the constitution "open and flexible” knowing well, that in the new century just around the corner, enlightenment through education and awareness will bring about changes in the psyche of the community; that the message of Prophet Zarathushtra will be heard and promoted in seven continents of the world (haft kheshwar zamin); the new generations of Zarathushtis will think more progressively than their parents; and, finally for the first time in 3,500 years of Zoroastrian history, Zarathushtis, especially in North America will initiate the process and embark to promote, perpetuate, and teach their great religion — freely, openly, and with pride and humility.

Furthermore, a supposedly historic decision made in the year 2000, by the North American Mobed Council (NAMC), validates and confirms that Parsi is a race, Zoroastrianism is a religion, the term "Parsi” applies to the descendents of the original migrants who left Iran to settle in India to preserve the Zoroastrian religion; a "Parsi” is a person born of both Parsi parents who has an inalienable right to practice the Zoroastrian religion, a "Zoroastrian” is a person who believes and follows the teachings of Zoroaster. It is recognized that Zoroastrianism is a universal religion. It is further recognized that a Zoroastrian is not necessarily a Parsi. I applaud the NAMC in taking this bold and decisive step.

Zoroastrianism is a practice of righteous life; a principled centered philosophy of choices and deeds; a doctrine that is good, practical, powerful and eternal, built upon freedom, liberty, independence in thought and actions. How can anyone lay a claim on such universality, how can any one group prohibit others from practicing the principles and how can one community be so selfish as not to share goodness? Zoroastrianism goes well beyond all geographical, political, administrative and institutional boundaries. It is a doctrine truly for all mankind — past, present and future. FEZANA’s constitution (but not its leadership) may then be ahead of the curve, in setting the stage in truly spreading the message of Zara­thushtra.

SHAHROKH MEHTA

Syracuse, New York

FEZANA president Firdosh Mehta had clarified in the FEZANA Journal (Winter 2004):

The constitution of FEZANA does not usurp the station of being the leading organization of the community in dictating who is or not, who can be or not, who should be or not... a Zarathushti.

The purposes specified in the constitution are ascribed to and agreed to by its member associations which are registered non-profit organizations, and are first and foremost, Zoroastrian. These purposes are not envisaged by the founding fathers to be applied to non-Zoroastrians.

The Autonomy Clause of the constitution states that:

"Nothing in this article shall be construed to impair the religious and administrative autonomy of individual associations or individual Zoroastrians.”

Hence, FEZANA has not indulged in conversion or acceptance or proselytizing of any kind. FEZANA has respected the rights of individuals and their communities to engage in such activity without undue interference.

Besides this, we in North America are fortunate to have the North American Mobeds Council and the Kankash-e-Mobedaan, which are the proper organizations to perform the necessary rituals of initiation and acceptance.

When FEZANA has received requests for joining the Zoroastrian faith from any individual, such requests have been forwarded to the two mobed councils.

The integrity of FEZANA and the unity of its member associations are well served by the above policy, practiced by all the elected executives so far.

•••

Recently there has been some discussion on the definition of the term Zoroastrian/Zarathushti. It is of interest to remind the Zarathushtrian community of a resolution that was passed at the 13th annual general meeting of the North American Mobed Council (NAMC). The underlying principle of this important resolution is essentially lost to the community. It is certain that some in India will just disregard this, as the work of altoo faltoo (worthless) Zarathushtis. Be that as it may, this was an effort of several dedicated mobeds who spent precious hours of serious discussion.

In the year 2000 the NAMC passed the following resolution with one abstention. This was during the presidency of Ervad Jal Birdy, present vice president of the Traditional Mazdayasni Zoroastrian Anjuman. The resolution reads:

Parsi is a race.

Zoroastrianism is a religion.

The term "Parsi” applies to the descendents of the original migrants who left Iran to settle in India to preserve the Zoroastrian religion.

A "Parsi” is a person born of both Parsi parents who has an inalienable right to practice the Zoroastrian religion.

A "Zoroastrian” is a person who believes and follows the teachings of Zoroaster.

It is recognized that "Zoroastrianism” is a universal religion.

It is further recognized that a Zoroastrian is not necessarily a Parsi.

It is a pity that despite the publication of this, in a short report in FEZANA Journal (Summer 2000, pg 9) it has had no impact on the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, its member associations, or grass-root community to awaken their querying for the notion "Who is a Zoroastrian/Zarathushti?” It is invariably chronicled that NAMC should act to lead the community in North America. However something as fundamental as a question of definition of a Zarathushti has been overlooked, and ad nauseam the discussion continues.

JEHAN BAGLI

President, North American Mobed Council

Toronto, Canada