NAMC AGM

Ervad Kobad Zarolia was voted in as the president of the North American Mobed Council (NAMC) at the body’s 21st annual general meeting held in Toronto on May 24-25, 2008. Thirteen mobeds and one mobedyar attended the meet hosted by the Ontario Zoroastrian Community Foundation (OZCF) at their special center in Oakville. There were three proxies, notes a message from outgoing president Ervad (Dr) Jehan Bagli. Zarolia’s team includes vice-president Ervad Noshir Mirza, secretary Ervad Nozer Kotwal, treasurer Ervad Gev Karkaria and executive officer Gustad Panthaki. The new board appointed Ervad Soli Dastur as director of NAMC Communications.

Once the routine matters were over, Ervad (Brigadier) Behram Panthaki initiated a discussion that centered on the navjote of adopted children. The prolonged discussion which followed had several members expressing their personal experiences in this matter, writes Bagli. After detailed consideration of a child adopted by a single parent and/or same sex parents, Panthaki tabled a resolution. "The motion will be included in the minutes to be studied by the mobeds, to discuss and vote upon at the next meeting,” states Bagli.

Incoming team at NAMC (above, from left): Noshir Mirza, Kobad Zarolia, Gustad Panthaki and Nozer Kotwal. (Alongside, from left) Outgoing team: Cawas Desai, Adi Unwalla, Jehan Bagli and Kotwal. Photos on this page, courtesy Soli P. Dastur

Ervads Tehemton Mirza, Gustad Panthaki of Toronto and Farhad Panthaky of Boston who had been appointed earlier to suggest ways of using NAMC funds for educational purposes shared some ideas. The possibility of having a NAMC library and of accommodating it with the FEZANA Resource Center was deliberated. The mobeds unanimously adopted a resolution, empowering NAMC to spend up to $ 5,000 a year to assist young mobeds to further their knowledge of the religion and ritual performances, notes Bagli.

In view of enquiries from the community, Bagli is said to have initiated a discussion on the subject of women training as mobedyars and the criteria that would apply. After prolonged discussion it was unanimously decided to delete ‘Zoroastrian males only’ from the original resolution and keep the program open to any interested Zoroastrian.

A contemplative session deliberated on the five gahs with contributions from Bagli, Panthaki, Dastur, Ervads Adi Unwalla (who spoke on behalf of Karkaria), Gustad Panthaki and Cawas Desai. The ensuing discussion was both educational and beneficial to all present, writes Bagli.

The OZCF volunteers had not only put in their labor of love but also donated the food they provided. A special dinner hosted by OZCF president Niloufer Bhesania and her husband Mehernosh was an enjoyable high spot.