United worship

For the last 21 years "our United Farvardegan Prayer has been attended by Zoroastrians and non-Zoroastrian spouses from all over the UK and also visitors…from abroad,” noted an invite from Ursula and Sammy Bhiwandiwalla to the annual event on September 13, 2009 at the Brookwood Zoroastrian Cemetery at Surrey.

Initiated by the late Noshirwan Cowasjee "who steadfastly refused to accept the immorality of dividing families and friends in the act of worship for their dear departed ones,” the United Farvardegan Prayer is now continued by the Bhiwandiwallas with the assistance of volunteers. The Zoroastrian community owes a lot to Cowasjee "for the benefits he has bestowed upon it through the Medical Benevolent Fund,” notes the invite urging friends to attend the prayers in his memory and that of the late Jehangirji Moos, past president and trustee of the Zoroastrian Association of Europe and his non-Zoroastrian wife Maritje.

Remembering the departed at Brookwood

More than 100 persons attend each year including 15-20 non-Zoroastrians. The presence of so many Zoroastrians is "indicative of their acceptance of… non-Zoroastrians,” states Sammy. Usually the congregation assembles in front of the grave of the late Jehangirji Moos and prays before an atash. However this year since it was very cold and windy Ervad Jal Karkaria performed the Farvardegan prayers in the bungli after which the congregation remembered their dear ones "silently in their own hearts.” While the organizers ensure that sufficient quantity of sandalwood and loban is available, worshipers are requested to keep their heads covered as a mark of respect during prayer and later when offering sukhad and loban. Free snacks, hot and cold beverages are offered to all the worshipers who are urged to carry as many chairs as possible for the elderly and disabled persons, and offer lifts to those who have transport difficulties, Surrey being at a considerable distance from London.

"All those who attend this United Farvardegan Prayer set an example to our future generation and lead them to the Right of Worship in the true Zoroastrian tradition,” reminds the invite mentioning, "Zarathushtra was the first Prophet who emancipated religion from the exclusive narrowness of the tribal God(s). He left to the Universe the legacy of the Right of Worship of Ahura Mazda.”