Editorial Viewpoint
The changing of the guard
The passing of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) baton from Dorab Mistry to Britain born Paurushasp Jila marks a new era in the diaspora. Until now most overseas associations in the West were headed by immigrants to these lands.
Jila, according to the ZTFE news release, is said to be the first president of the organization to be born in the U.K. A similar trend can be expected in North America, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere that Zoroastrians have migrated to in recent times.
Of course in some places this changeover may already have taken place. But the ZTFE being the oldest such body in the new world and largely representing the interests of the U.K. Zoroastrians, makes it all the more noteworthy.
How will this new crop of leaders view the local and global community? Will they be as concerned about developments in the old homelands? Will the Indian sub-continent and Iran occupy their attention? Will they be familiar with the issues back 'home?'
One would expect diaspora Zoroastrians born and educated in the West to be liberally inclined. Westernization, urbanization and education are all associated with progressive values. But Jila is a traditionalist, more so than Mistry. Mistry walked a tightrope between the orthodox faction, especially those from East Africa and the liberal elements from the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) and elsewhere. But he managed the feat and even hosted a Zoroastrian World Congress in a new community center.
The ZTFE leadership was considering consecrating a fire temple only for Parsi Zoroastrians near the rear of their new center in Harrow. This was a short-sighted and divisive policy in the face of the ground realities. Though the ZTFE has unfortunately not carried out any scientific study to determine the number of interfaith marriages between Zoroastrians and others, one can safely assume the figure is high and will continue to grow.
If in Bombay numerous fire temples face a dearth of worshippers, what would have been the fate of a fire temple in the heart of London that barred the children of Parsi/Irani women married to non-Parsis and all the non-Parsi spouses? This policy of racial discrimination would have driven many to follow the religion of the non-Zoroastrian spouse so that the family would worship unitedly. The Parsi motto of divide and bar runs wholly counter to the philosophy of a family that prays together, stays together.
The leadership of the new communities is democratically elected by the local Zoroastrians and must perforce reflect the views of the majority. While at one time ZTFE was dominated by the more liberal community members such as Dastur Sohrab and Dr Shirinbanoo Kutar, Shahpur Captain and so on, the recent presidents such as Zal Sethna, Kersey Jasavala, Rusi Dalal and to some extent Mistry have been orthodox in their outlook and beliefs. Jila is no doubt in that mode. But is the U.K. community truly orthodox? Here also no scientific study has been carried out to ascertain the views of the community. Not that it is necessary to do so but if the leadership truly wishes to cater to all their brethren, they must know what their members and non-members think.
A handful of activists can often dominate an indifferent or apathetic majority. Most individuals do not wish to get involved in community issues more so if they are contentious ones. A rigid approach only widens the rift.
Zoroastrian leadership both in the diaspora and in India and Iran have to think in global terms. The days of isolating oneself from the rest of the community are fast fading. The revolution in telecommunication and more affordable airfares mean the world is shrinking. People want to know what their co-religionists elsewhere are doing. Just as India is compared politically and economically with China, so also community members want to know where they stand vis-…-vis others. At one time housing domin
Jila, according to the ZTFE news release, is said to be the first president of the organization to be born in the U.K. A similar trend can be expected in North America, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere that Zoroastrians have migrated to in recent times.
Of course in some places this changeover may already have taken place. But the ZTFE being the oldest such body in the new world and largely representing the interests of the U.K. Zoroastrians, makes it all the more noteworthy.
How will this new crop of leaders view the local and global community? Will they be as concerned about developments in the old homelands? Will the Indian sub-continent and Iran occupy their attention? Will they be familiar with the issues back 'home?'
One would expect diaspora Zoroastrians born and educated in the West to be liberally inclined. Westernization, urbanization and education are all associated with progressive values. But Jila is a traditionalist, more so than Mistry. Mistry walked a tightrope between the orthodox faction, especially those from East Africa and the liberal elements from the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) and elsewhere. But he managed the feat and even hosted a Zoroastrian World Congress in a new community center.
The ZTFE leadership was considering consecrating a fire temple only for Parsi Zoroastrians near the rear of their new center in Harrow. This was a short-sighted and divisive policy in the face of the ground realities. Though the ZTFE has unfortunately not carried out any scientific study to determine the number of interfaith marriages between Zoroastrians and others, one can safely assume the figure is high and will continue to grow.
If in Bombay numerous fire temples face a dearth of worshippers, what would have been the fate of a fire temple in the heart of London that barred the children of Parsi/Irani women married to non-Parsis and all the non-Parsi spouses? This policy of racial discrimination would have driven many to follow the religion of the non-Zoroastrian spouse so that the family would worship unitedly. The Parsi motto of divide and bar runs wholly counter to the philosophy of a family that prays together, stays together.
The leadership of the new communities is democratically elected by the local Zoroastrians and must perforce reflect the views of the majority. While at one time ZTFE was dominated by the more liberal community members such as Dastur Sohrab and Dr Shirinbanoo Kutar, Shahpur Captain and so on, the recent presidents such as Zal Sethna, Kersey Jasavala, Rusi Dalal and to some extent Mistry have been orthodox in their outlook and beliefs. Jila is no doubt in that mode. But is the U.K. community truly orthodox? Here also no scientific study has been carried out to ascertain the views of the community. Not that it is necessary to do so but if the leadership truly wishes to cater to all their brethren, they must know what their members and non-members think.
A handful of activists can often dominate an indifferent or apathetic majority. Most individuals do not wish to get involved in community issues more so if they are contentious ones. A rigid approach only widens the rift.
Zoroastrian leadership both in the diaspora and in India and Iran have to think in global terms. The days of isolating oneself from the rest of the community are fast fading. The revolution in telecommunication and more affordable airfares mean the world is shrinking. People want to know what their co-religionists elsewhere are doing. Just as India is compared politically and economically with China, so also community members want to know where they stand vis-…-vis others. At one time housing domin
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