Readers' Forum
“Planning to please”
The editors reply at the end of my letter ("Planning to please,” Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, January 21, 2012) reads: "The Amish permit converts. The qualification for Parsis is having a Parsi father.”
The Muslims in America permit converts and the qualifications for Muslims in America is a Muslim father. There are six million Muslims in America. This definition is not violative of US law.
Parsis originally accepted Parsis when both spouses were Parsis and this was later changed based on legal precedent in India to a patrimonial practice. Parsis do not restrict access to the Gathas, Vendidad, Visperad and Avesta. Parsis are free to file another case to reverse or change this in India.
In Houston the Parsis are planning to build a fire temple following traditional practices in the US and are free to do so under US law.
Unfortunately you have chosen to live in a country where Salman Rushdie is threatened for his writings which have been banned. Artist Maqbool Fida Husain was attacked by Hindus and forced to live overseas. There are protests against Jay Leno by your government and the Sikh community for suggesting that Republican candidate Mitt Romney should have a summer home at the Golden Temple. Extremism and radicalism is common in India among Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs, and Parsis are no exception. Rushdie, Husain or Leno did not violate any laws in the US. Nor do Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs or Parsis living in the US by following their religious practices, be it conversion or patrimonial practices.
Furthermore, there is no statistical evidence on divorce among the Parsis, so please stop spreading falsehoods to our youth of marriageable age. People marry for different reasons and get divorced for different reasons.
I again request you to stop spreading falsehoods on what’s violative of US laws as laws and practices in India differ from those in the US.
PORUS N. DADABHOY
Chicago, Illinois, USA
porusd@yahoo.com
The Muslims in America permit converts and the qualifications for Muslims in America is a Muslim father. There are six million Muslims in America. This definition is not violative of US law.
Parsis originally accepted Parsis when both spouses were Parsis and this was later changed based on legal precedent in India to a patrimonial practice. Parsis do not restrict access to the Gathas, Vendidad, Visperad and Avesta. Parsis are free to file another case to reverse or change this in India.
In Houston the Parsis are planning to build a fire temple following traditional practices in the US and are free to do so under US law.
Unfortunately you have chosen to live in a country where Salman Rushdie is threatened for his writings which have been banned. Artist Maqbool Fida Husain was attacked by Hindus and forced to live overseas. There are protests against Jay Leno by your government and the Sikh community for suggesting that Republican candidate Mitt Romney should have a summer home at the Golden Temple. Extremism and radicalism is common in India among Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs, and Parsis are no exception. Rushdie, Husain or Leno did not violate any laws in the US. Nor do Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs or Parsis living in the US by following their religious practices, be it conversion or patrimonial practices.
Furthermore, there is no statistical evidence on divorce among the Parsis, so please stop spreading falsehoods to our youth of marriageable age. People marry for different reasons and get divorced for different reasons.
I again request you to stop spreading falsehoods on what’s violative of US laws as laws and practices in India differ from those in the US.
PORUS N. DADABHOY
Chicago, Illinois, USA
porusd@yahoo.com
The editors reply
Converts to Islam are permitted to enter mosques and other places of worship. Converts to Zoroastrianism are not permitted entry to fire temples in India. Parsi divorce statistics are available and have been tabulated.
Converts to Islam are permitted to enter mosques and other places of worship. Converts to Zoroastrianism are not permitted entry to fire temples in India. Parsi divorce statistics are available and have been tabulated.
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