Zoroastrians Abroad
Representation at UN
Representatives from 11 world faiths were invited to offer peace prayers, readings and invocations at the Symphony of Peace Prayers ceremony at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Hall on February 14, 2013. On behalf of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), Nina Mistry was selected to recite the Avestan verses. Honored that she was granted this "truly unique opportunity,” considering that "prayers are not usually offered in the General Assembly Hall,” Mistry reported that this ceremony was part of the United for a Culture of Peace Through Interfaith Harmony (UCPTIH) event organized a week after the UN celebrated World Interfaith Harmony Week from February 1-7. 
Since 2011 World Interfaith Harmony Week has been an annual event observed during the first week of February to reinforce that mutual understanding and inter-religious dialog constitute important dimensions for a culture of peace and harmony. When inaugurating the UCPTIH event that lasted for nearly three hours, president of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly Vuk Jeremic harked back to his personal interfaith background. This was followed by dissertations by seven distinguished speakers on "The Role of Interfaith Harmony in the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.”
The second part of the event constituted the Symphony of Peace Prayers that lasted for nearly 40 minutes when chairperson of The World Peace Prayer Society Masami Saionji and Byakko Shinko Kai explained that this inter-religious prayer ceremony, first held in Japan in 2005, is an annual peace prayer event that brings together people from different faiths and cultures. Of the 11 faiths represented, the Baha’i, Christian, Humanist, Jain and Zoroastrian religions had deputed lady members to recite the prayers. The other faith representatives were Buddhist, Hindu, Indigenous, Jew, Muslim and Sikh.
Joint secretary of the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York (ZAGNY), Mistry was selected to recite the prayers by Homi Gandhi, FEZANA vice president and co-chair of the UN-NGO (nongovernmental organization) Committee. As Gandhi was leaving for India he wanted to take this opportunity to invite Zarathushtis of the next generation to represent the community. Explained Gandhi, "I had talked to a few individuals but their responses were with ‘ifs’ and ‘buts.’ I needed commitment and (Mistry’s) commitment was very clear in terms of time and presence.” Gandhi firmly believes that "it is time that we…introduce the next generation to represent Zoroastrians on the world scene. It is my dream to strengthen the Zarathushti presence in North America so definitively that when my grandchildren say they are Zarathushti, they can say so with pride, and without encountering puzzlement from their fellow North Americans as to who is a Zarathushti.”
With a traditional kor ni sari draped over her head, Mistry recited Yasna verse 60.5 and from the Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna verse 29.10 in Avestan followed by its English translation. The English translation of Yasna verse 60.5 calls for the triumph of peace over discord, generosity over greed, devotion over arrogance, honest discussion over misrepresentation, and righteousness over falsehood; and Yasna verse 29.10 invokes Ahura Mazda’s blessings to grant His followers authority and power through truth so that with the good mind they may bring peace and happiness on earth. On the recommendation of Ervads (Dr) Jehan Bagli and Soli Dastur, Gandhi had recited these verses in the past and deemed it appropriate for Mistry to chant them for this event. As acknowledged Mistry, "Ervad Pervez Patel (of ZAGNY) was my mentor and kindly reviewed the pronunciation and recitation of the prayers with me. I had a few practice sessions over the phone prior to the event.” Jon Blond’s accompaniment on the flute "beautifully complemented all the prayers recited,” creating an uplifting experience for the congregation.
The final part of the UCPTIH event constituted the World Peace Flag Ceremony where flags of each of the 193 UN member states and two observer missions were carried into the General Assembly Hall by representatives of the respective countries. When the flags were brought in, the gathering of over 1,000 attendees chanted "May peace be in (name of the country).”
The ZAGNY contingent that included Nina’s husband Adil and daughter Maya Mistry, Patel, Virasp Davar, Mahrukh and Rohinton Cama were witness to the entire three-hour event that was interspersed with musical performances by singers from Sri Chinmoy, an operatic soprano from the Philippines, the Junior Four Chorus of the United Nations International School and the Unity Made Visible Interfaith Choir. The program was brought to a close by Monica Willard, president of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations with the words "May peace prevail on earth!”
Since 2011 World Interfaith Harmony Week has been an annual event observed during the first week of February to reinforce that mutual understanding and inter-religious dialog constitute important dimensions for a culture of peace and harmony. When inaugurating the UCPTIH event that lasted for nearly three hours, president of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly Vuk Jeremic harked back to his personal interfaith background. This was followed by dissertations by seven distinguished speakers on "The Role of Interfaith Harmony in the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.”
The second part of the event constituted the Symphony of Peace Prayers that lasted for nearly 40 minutes when chairperson of The World Peace Prayer Society Masami Saionji and Byakko Shinko Kai explained that this inter-religious prayer ceremony, first held in Japan in 2005, is an annual peace prayer event that brings together people from different faiths and cultures. Of the 11 faiths represented, the Baha’i, Christian, Humanist, Jain and Zoroastrian religions had deputed lady members to recite the prayers. The other faith representatives were Buddhist, Hindu, Indigenous, Jew, Muslim and Sikh.
Joint secretary of the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York (ZAGNY), Mistry was selected to recite the prayers by Homi Gandhi, FEZANA vice president and co-chair of the UN-NGO (nongovernmental organization) Committee. As Gandhi was leaving for India he wanted to take this opportunity to invite Zarathushtis of the next generation to represent the community. Explained Gandhi, "I had talked to a few individuals but their responses were with ‘ifs’ and ‘buts.’ I needed commitment and (Mistry’s) commitment was very clear in terms of time and presence.” Gandhi firmly believes that "it is time that we…introduce the next generation to represent Zoroastrians on the world scene. It is my dream to strengthen the Zarathushti presence in North America so definitively that when my grandchildren say they are Zarathushti, they can say so with pride, and without encountering puzzlement from their fellow North Americans as to who is a Zarathushti.”
With a traditional kor ni sari draped over her head, Mistry recited Yasna verse 60.5 and from the Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna verse 29.10 in Avestan followed by its English translation. The English translation of Yasna verse 60.5 calls for the triumph of peace over discord, generosity over greed, devotion over arrogance, honest discussion over misrepresentation, and righteousness over falsehood; and Yasna verse 29.10 invokes Ahura Mazda’s blessings to grant His followers authority and power through truth so that with the good mind they may bring peace and happiness on earth. On the recommendation of Ervads (Dr) Jehan Bagli and Soli Dastur, Gandhi had recited these verses in the past and deemed it appropriate for Mistry to chant them for this event. As acknowledged Mistry, "Ervad Pervez Patel (of ZAGNY) was my mentor and kindly reviewed the pronunciation and recitation of the prayers with me. I had a few practice sessions over the phone prior to the event.” Jon Blond’s accompaniment on the flute "beautifully complemented all the prayers recited,” creating an uplifting experience for the congregation.
The final part of the UCPTIH event constituted the World Peace Flag Ceremony where flags of each of the 193 UN member states and two observer missions were carried into the General Assembly Hall by representatives of the respective countries. When the flags were brought in, the gathering of over 1,000 attendees chanted "May peace be in (name of the country).”
The ZAGNY contingent that included Nina’s husband Adil and daughter Maya Mistry, Patel, Virasp Davar, Mahrukh and Rohinton Cama were witness to the entire three-hour event that was interspersed with musical performances by singers from Sri Chinmoy, an operatic soprano from the Philippines, the Junior Four Chorus of the United Nations International School and the Unity Made Visible Interfaith Choir. The program was brought to a close by Monica Willard, president of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations with the words "May peace prevail on earth!”
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