Pearl in WZO’s oyster

Zoroastrians should not be defined by "ethnic rules” but by "ethical rules,” that is by their thoughts, words and deeds, stressed Darayus Motivala, chairman of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO), in his welcome address at a function on June 5, 2010 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Organisation. WZO takes a lead in disseminating the teachings of our faith, in supporting those who believe in the universal truth of Zarathushtra’s message and does not "in its charitable giving differentiate between families where one or both parents are Zoroastrians,” he added.

Over the last 30 years WZO has raised £ 750,000 for the Gujarat farmers project which has built 118 cottages, helped improve farming practice and given micro credit to 700 rural Zarathushtis. Currently WZO supports 120 students and 360 indigent elderly people. Last year it disbursed £ 2,500 in medical expenses and £ 1,100 to mobeds. The WZO Trust Funds and The World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust run two senior citizens’ homes in Navsari and a sanatorium in Sanjan. On behalf of a UK bequest it has distributed £ 220,000 to non-Zoroastrian charities in India. It also funds youth education and senior citizens’ projects in Iran, outlined the chairman.

The chief guest at the celebrations was Soli Sorabjee, former attorney general of India, who presided over the function to "honor their good work.” The Queen had sent her "warm good wishes to all concerned on this most special anniversary.” The High Commissioner of India was represented by Jitendra Kumar, first secretary at the Indian High Commission, according to a report of the event by Soonu Engineer. Over 250 members and guests attended the celebration, sponsored by appreciative supporters, at London’s Paddington Hilton. On that day generous donations were contributed by guests for various charitable causes.

On their pearl anniversary WZO chose to celebrate the contribution made by some of the honorary office bearers and volunteers towards the social, economic and spiritual development of the community. The nine individuals who were honored were WZO founder members Ervad (Dr) Kersey Antia and Ruby Contractor, fund raisers Rohinton Irani, Rumi and Hilda Sethna, and Tehmi Patel, religious scholar Ervad (Dr) Jehan Bagli, former president and joint honorary secretary Rustam Dubash, current WZO vice president Toxy Cowasjee and president Sammy Bhiwandiwalla. Engineer’s report refers briefly to the accomplishments of each:

Antia has been serving as head priest of the Chicago Zoroastrians for the last 32 years. Having studied the Gathas and prepared audiovisual courses on Zoroastrianism, he embodies the universal values of the Zoroastrian faith and in 1983 had performed the navjote ceremony of Joseph Peterson who publishes Zoroastrian texts on avesta.org

Clockwise from top left: Darayus Moti-vala, Soli Sorabjee and Armaity Engineer; Sammy Bhiwandi-walla, Toxy Cowasjee, Ruby Contractor, Dr Kersey Antia, Tehmi Patel, Hilda and Rumi Sethna, Rustam Dubash, Rohinton Irani and Dr Jehan Bagli. Alongside: WZO committee

Contractor had served the WZO as joint honorary secretary and traveled extensively to sensitize people to the plight of poor farmers in Gujarat. As WZO chairperson she convened the first Gatha Colloquium and also presided over the historic change in the constitution which made it possible for non-Zoroastrian spouses and the children of interfaith marriages to become members.

Irani graciously makes his home and garden available for WZO and ZTFE (Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe) fund-raising events. His many contacts resulted in WZO and other non-Zoroastrian charities in India receiving £ 400,000 from the Dennis Williams Wills Trust.

The Sethnas have, in the last 19 years, raised more than £ 200,000 for the farmers of Gujarat, filming the condition of rural Parsis to create awareness. For several years their residential premises served as the headquarters from where the Gujarat farmers project operated. As president of WZO in 2000 Rumi endeavored to gain support for an umbrella organization which could represent Zoroastrians in the United Nations, an effort that did not fructify.

Patel served on the WZO committee for 21 years as one of its social secretaries, organizing fund-raising activities. A qualified children’s nurse, counselor and hypnotherapist, she volunteers as relaxation and stress management therapist at Cancerkin whilst raising funds for the Cancerkin Centre at the Royal Free Hospital as also The Shooting Star Hospice for life-limited children.

Bagli who was the president of the North American Mobeds Council is author and lecturer on religious topics. Founder president of the Zoroastrian Association of Quebec, he is currently active in the Zoroastrian Society of Ontario and chairs FEZANA’s (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America) Research and Preservation Committee.

Dubash has been giving his time and legal expertise to WZO, and had contributed substantial efforts in the drafting of legal documents when negotiations were on for the formation of a world body that never materialized.

Cowasjee, as editor of the WZO mouthpiece Hamazor, has transformed the magazine which now sees regular contributions on religion, history and culture. Besides raising £ 1,000,000 for the victims of the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, the former president of the Karachi Zarthoshti Banu Mandal has published a Parsi cook book, the A & T Directory of Zoroastrians in Pakistan, a Blood Donors Directory of Karachi Zoroastrians and Daughters of Mashyani, a reference book on famous Zoroastrian women.

Bhiwandiwalla as WZO chairman had sought to strengthen relations with Zarathushti associations worldwide giving special attention to the concerns of Iranian members. He had won the confidence of large charitable foundations which have entrusted WZO with considerable funds. He supported progressive organizations for the welfare of intermarried couples and their families in India and championed the rights of non-Zoroastrian spouses and their children. As WZO president he has played a leading role to convince the organization to open its membership to all Zoroastrians.

There are several others who have served WZO over the years and whose efforts have been recognized on previous occasions or who have yet to be felicitated, it was reiterated.

As reminded Motivala, WZO supports the right of Zoroastrian women to marry whom they choose and to receive blessings at their wedding, their right to continue to profess their faith and worship in a dar-e-meher. In 1993 the membership of WZO was opened to non-Zoroastrian spouses and to the children of mixed parentage. Currently anyone falling outside its criteria may register as a non-voting ‘Friend of WZO.’