Drawn to Dubai

"Renowned in every land/ We toil with hearts and hands/ Bringing joy to one and all/ We leave our footprints in the sand…” the strains of the symphony, specially composed as the anthem for the Ninth World Zoroastrian Congress (9WZC), were heard by nearly 700 delegates assembled in the Jumeirah Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai at the inauguration on December 28, 2009.

The theme of the Congress being "Unity through the sands of time,” as remarked chairperson Meher Bhesania, "The Congress will endeavor to actualize the underlying symbolism of the theme thus providing ample opportunities for all delegates to network.” Hoping that the four days of deliberations would pave the way for "sensible compromises,” she urged the gathering to "reach for solutions that heal and bind.”

Besides the exclusive anthem, particularly created for this Congress was a white and azure flag that was unveiled at the hands of Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada after the priests from Dubai, America, India and Iran recited a short benediction. It depicts the rising sun — to symbolize a new dawn of hope — against a serene landscape representing the wonder of the Supreme creation. The globe at the apex represents the spread of the community worldwide under the protection of the Asho Farohar. The surrounding circle of 101 stars is meant to bring to mind the 101 names of Ahura Mazda.

"There are many firsts for this Congress,” Bhesania had noted in the course of her welcome address. A short film had been specifically produced for the occasion as also a coffee table book bearing messages from dignitaries (some of which were specially read out on the occasion), an introduction to Dubai, insights into the Zoroastrian diaspora and its leading lights, a reference to Zoroastrian values and culture, an allusion to the 10 major Congress sponsors and the 30-member organizing team, plus a note of gratitude to "the priests who have been the torchbearers of the community.”

Further, this Congress had a state-of-the-art website conceived for online registration and information. A daily Congress bulletin in print, Congress Xpress, captured the highlights of each day. Particularly remarkable was that Dubai has no Zoroastrian anjuman or association to shoulder the responsibility, only a band of dedicated volunteers headed by Bhesania.

Just as the Youth Leadership Enhancement Program (YLEP) was meant to be a legacy of the 9WZC, Vision 2010 is intended to delineate a blueprint for the community for the next four years until the ensuing Tenth World Zoroastrian Congress meets in India in 2013.

Whilst Bhesania described Dubai as a "mysterious land…a land of oppor-tunity…one of the fastest growing destinations…a melting pot of cultures,” Parizad Kolah-Marshall who was the master of ceremonies at the morning and evening session commented, "Dubai is a city of gold… of contrasts… a magnet for the world’s most dynamic enterprises.” At the evening session on the first day which was graced by Sheikh Hasher Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, director of the Dubai Information Department, Bhesania commended him for his "blessings and support to bring this Congress to this dynamic city of Dubai.” He reciprocated her sentiments by thanking the community "for choosing Dubai for this Congress.” Happy to be in the midst of some long-time residents of Dubai, others who were familiar with the city and yet others who were new, he extended a welcome to all. During the brief time he spent at the Congress he gladly presented mementoes to the major Congress financiers: platinum sponsor Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast LLC, ruby sponsor The Incorporated Trustees of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong, Canton and Macao, silver sponsors Godrej Industries, Ajmal Perfume Manufacturing and Oudh Processing Industry LLC, Dubai Duty Free, Roshan Construction LLC, bronze sponsors Climate Control LLC, ADM Enterprises, Ericsons and Richards M.E. and Alayar Dab-estani Group.

(Above) Parzor embroidery exhibits; (below left to right) compere Parizad Kolah-Marshall; Hormuzd Khambata and his troupe perform Journey through Broadway; ballet, Unity in Diversity

Another dignitary adding luster to the Congress was Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea who noted that the Dubai Congress was "double the size of the one in London,” and gave credit to the organizing team under Bhesania for handling the logistics so meticulously. Stressing on the "shared principles… values” distinctive to the community, he advocated the need to follow the "footsteps of our far greater forefathers” like Dadabhai Naoroji who had made India proud in the British Parliament. The motto that he had chosen to adopt for his company Cobra Beer was "to aspire and to achieve against all odds with integrity.” In the course of his keynote address Bilimoria impressed on the gathering, "It is not good enough to be the best in the world. It is also necessary to be the best for this world... If you measure the per capita achievement and success, no community in the world is comparable.” Nearly 25 years ago his family had urged him to visit his roots in Gujarat, the remote, rural pockets, making him wonder how the community could have achieved so much in those humble circumstances. Although his surname was derived from the family’s place of origin, Bilimora, it could have easily been Daruwalla or Beerbottleopen-erwala, jested the Lord who has earned a name for himself in his business. Proud of his Zoroastrian religion, he told the international gathering, "Wherever you live, integrate with the community but never forget your roots.” A standing ovation greeted his words.

Welcome relief

Meher Bhesania with Youth Leadership Enhancement Program team members and their mentors

At the time of the inauguration it was difficult to find a seat in the Jumeirah Ballroom. But as the sessions progressed and it was time for Sam Balsara, chairman and managing director of Madison World to make his presentation on "Zoroastrian Vision 2010 and beyond” the audience was showing signs of restlessness with a lot of chatter around the tables each of which seated 10 delegates. The subsequent talk on "The DNA Code,” that was meant to be delivered by Dr Villoo Morawala Patell but which in her absence was made by Dr Yasmin Shroff, could evoke only a lukewarm response as it was too technical to be understood by most in the audience.

Some welcome relief for the bored audience came by way of a western ballet, Unity in Diversity, depicting the oft recounted story of Zoroastrians and their travels to distant lands whilst retaining their identity. Singer Shayan Italia’s unscheduled rendition of Born to love was equally appreciated by the youngsters.

Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla’s statements could elicit a smile or a sneer from many in the audience who were enjoying their lunch whilst listening to him: "Parsis have goodness, graciousness and righteousness of Saturn… Parsis have the vision to see the complete picture… Today is the day of Venus… It is the day for women… Pluto characterizes po-wer… Tomorrow will be an open day to fight…”

More in the morning

Messages from political leaders — some of which were featured in the coffee table book Footprints on the sands of time — like the President of India Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh and the president of the All India Congress Committee Sonia Gandhi were read out by the Bombay Parsi Pun-chayet chairman Din-shaw Mehta, Delhi Parsi Anjuman president Dadi Mistry and World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce director Zarine Commissariat. Dr Esfandiar Ekhtiyari, Member of Parliament (MP) of Iran, read out messages from the President of Iran Mahmood Ahma-dinejad and Dr Ali Larijani, Speaker of Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Bomi Patel, president of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America brought greetings from Justin Siberall, consul general of USA, and former president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, Incorporated Paurushasp Jila from MP Gareth Thomas, minister of state, Department of International Development and Shahid Malik, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Department for Communities and Local Government.

"Instead of harping on the glorious past” the community needs to create for the future a "concrete and conscious plan,” stressed Balsara. Since the time of the First World Zoroastrian Congress (1WZC) in Tehran in 1960 the community has shown little progress collectively. To prepare for the Tenth World Zoroastrian Congress Balsara was keen that a nodal agency be appointed to take responsibility, "think in unison, resolve and conclude through constructive debate” on nine focal areas — religion, demography, supporting the poor, entrepreneurship, women, health, youth, community organization, branding the community — for each of which he had suggested an action plan and a time frame. He recommended that the Congress adopt a "project oriented approach addressing urgent issues with a majority consensus, if not unanimity.” The unceasing religious disputes he felt could be resolved by a specially constituted, codified, hierarchical religious order.

Over 4,000 blood samples of Zoroastrians from eight cities have been collected for the Avestagenome Project which, at a cost of Rs 125 crore, is mapping the genetic code of the community, conveyed Shroff. The expense borne on the complete analysis of each sample works out to Rs 7,500, she added, referring to the need for funds.

Singer Shayan Italia

Next gen leaders

Almost one-fifth, 119, of those registered for the Congress were youth under the age of 35 and there were different events geared towards them. The Youth World program on the first afternoon gave a platform to the teams from India, USA/Canada, Australia, Iran, UK, Dubai in the age group of 23-35 years to present their project reports undertaken as an initiative of the YLEP. The Indian team referred to their efforts to bring trusts extending aid on one common electronic platform for which they have created a site www.zfunds.org. The USA/Canada team had worked on a Zarathushti Stimulus Plan to help the unemployed find jobs zorostimulus.org paving the way for anonymous profiles to be loaded thereon. Zoroastrians for Renewable Energy Activities (ZOREA) was another project to make the world cleaner and greener with Zoroastrian values. Their third project, Life Skills Workshop is geared along the lines of Bombay’s Holiday Programme for Youth. The UK team was making a concerted effort to rejuvenate the Zoroastrian Fun Club. Team Iran referred to their program to bring the youth together for a three-day conference. Australia was focusing on C-o-n-n-e-c-t-i-n-g to bring young Zoroastrians together in business and employment. Dubai had introduced The Right Advice Project serving as an information portal and a dialog facilitator.

Apathy and entertainment

Dr Rostom Khosroviani, president of the Tehran Anjuman was scheduled to speak in the afternoon on "The Zoroastrian community in Iran.” The audience though had neither the patience nor the courtesy to respect pleas from the organizers to remain seated. A similar fate met the next session when Dr Behram Pastakia and Shahnaz Tarapore dwelt on the charity initiative, Operation Eyesight. The gathering though was all charged to enjoy the evening Zoroastrian fashion fiesta and dance show choreographed by Hormuzd Khambata and his troupe, followed by the late night DJ and dance.

Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla with Tehmi

Congress connectivity

Whether food for the mind or the body or the senses, the Congress had multiple fare to appeal to varied tastes of different generations. The Congress venue divided into five zones — Culture/Heritage, Exhibition, Party, Conference and Meeting — "exuded an ambience of an indoor festival,” as noted the Program Guide. The largest overseas contingent for this international gathering was from India, 151, followed by USA, 130, Iran 80, Pakistan 47, UK, 42, Canada 26, Australia 19, and New Zealand, Oman and Singapore, two each. The local UAE registrants numbered 175.

Fifty years have elapsed since the 1WZC was held in 1960, the year 2010 marking the golden jubilee of this event. As commented Bhesania, "We still have a long way to go. It is heartening that the community is ready to take on the future with a common purpose and shared past.”

(The next report on the 9WZC will appear in the January 21, 2010 issue of Parsiana.)