WAPIZ is one

Two hundred and sixty-two priests led by Ervad Aspandiar Dadachanji joined in the jashan at the Banaji Atash Behram on May 28, 2006 to celebrate the first anniversary of the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ), as reported in the June 8, 2006 issue of the Afternoon Despatch and Courier on its WAPIZ Page. Among the High Priests gracing the function were Dastur Meherji Meherjirana of Navsari, Peshotan Mirza of Udvada and Cyrus Dastur of Surat.

In fact a letter jointly issued by six High Priests: Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa, Firoze Kotwal, Mirza, Nadirshah Unvalla, Dastur and Meherjirana (Udvada’s Khurshed Dastoor being the sole exception) noted: "We wholeheartedly endorse WAPIZ’s multifarious activities that have within a short span of one year borne wonderful results like the poverty amelioration project in South Gujarat, leadership program for youth and especially the mobed scheme which will not only help to look after our sacred fires in small towns and villages but will also give our mobed sahebs a better standard of living.

"WAPIZ has lived up to its commitment to uphold and strengthen religious traditions within the community. May it continue to guide the community along the right path in the years to come…”

Using this occasion to send out a message to the community worldwide the six High Priests’ letter carried on the WAPIZ Page stated, "In these troubled times it is very important that the entire community unites together to preserve and protect our unique religious identity, strengthen the religious traditions of the community and combat misplaced reform with a single-minded purpose and determination.

"Traditions that have held together the fabric of the Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian community in India for over a 1,000 years are not to be taken lightly and it is heartening to note that except for a small minority, the community at large recognizes the importance of adhering to our time-tested practices, judging from the community’s response to WAPIZ.”

Dinshaw Mehta was the only trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet attending the function. Following the khushali nu jashan the crowd reassembled on the grounds of the Royal Western India Turf Club "where over 2,000 WAPIZ members and a few invited guests settled down for an evening with a difference! The setting was subdued but sophisticated… the speeches were sharp and to the point as founder members of WAPIZ gave an overview of the schemes and projects undertaken…and outlined the direction in which WAPIZ was heading,” reported the WAPIZ Page. WAPIZ chairman Areez Khambatta had then declared, "I am determined to expose all our false leaders by lifting their veils and showing them in their true colors.”

President of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe Paurushasp Jila had sent a congratulatory message: "The fact that WAPIZ has initiated efforts on so many fronts in a short period of just one year is commendable.”

Jennifer Dinshaw, Anahita Desai, Hanoz Cooper, Armaity Karai and the team of dedicated volunteers have been given credit for making the first anniversary function which included a hearty repast, a "grand success.” The main benefit of a Rs 50 WAPIZ membership appears to be the free dinner and drinks at the Turf Club ground every May. WAPIZ also used the occasion to thank the secular press (The Times of India, DNA, Asian Age, Afternoon Despatch and Courier, Divya Bhaskar, Loksatta, Nav Bharat Times, Gujarat Mitra, Lokmat) for the "wide ranging coverage of our first anniversary celebrations and for presenting the WAPIZ vision for the community in the right perspective.”

WAPIZ had convened a press conference only for the "secular press” a day or so before at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel. The Parsi Press is excluded from all their happenings.