Prayers for progress

"All those who attend this United Farvardegan Prayer (UFP) set an example to our future generation and lead them to the right of worship in the true Zoroastrian tradition,” notes an invitation from Sammy Bhiwandiwalla, president of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO), and his wife Ursula, inviting all Zoroastrians and non-Zoroastrian spouses and family members to the prayers at the Brookwood Zoroastrian Cemetery, UK on September 8, 2013. Weather permitting, the congregation will pray before the grave of Jehangirji Moos, past president and trustee of the Zoroastrian Association of Europe. "The right of worship is the fundamental and inherent prerogative of everyone. Nothing has and nothing should deter anyone in joining our UFP,” reiterates the invite.

This practice had been initiated by the late Noshirwan Cowasjee in 1987 ever since Jehangirji’s widow Marietje had been barred from attending the annual Farvardian prayers. The liberal faction has yet not forgotten how Marietje religiously attended the annual Farvardian prayers at the Zoroastrian House for years until she was made to feel unwelcome by a strong objection from the orthodox lobby in London who told her "she was a disgrace to our community and that her husband should never have married her,” as conveyed by former WZO president Shahpur Captain.
When young, Marietje used to attend Sunday School at the Dutch Reformed Church in Holland. After making a study of comparative religions she was impressed by the tenets of the Zoroastrian faith and mentioned that to her Sunday School teacher who advised her to tread that route to reach God if it so appealed to her, stated Captain. Both Jehangirji and Marietje were dedicated Theosophists as are their children and grandchildren. Jehangirji had passed away in Hyderabad when he had gone visiting relatives and friends in his hometown. Soon after he had completed a talk on the religion/community and stressed on the need to uplift the mobed class, he resumed his seat when he suffered a cardiac arrest that claimed his life.
The credit for introducing UFP should go to Cowasjee "who steadfastly refused to accept the immorality of dividing families and friends in the act of worship for their dear departed ones. Noshirwan strongly believed in human rights which encompass the right of worship without fear and intimidation. The Zoroastrian community owes a lot to him for the benefits he has bestowed upon it through the Medical Benevolent Fund,” reminded the Bhiwandiwallas.
For the last six years it was Ervad Jal Karkaria who officiated at the UFP, mentioned a circular announcing his demise on March 4, 2013. "Jalbhai will be remembered with great fondness for being one of the few priests who served the community in the presence of non-Zoroastrian families and friends at a time when great restrictions/barriers were placed on the priesthood,” commended a tribute. The nonagenarian priest who was born in the same year as Prince Philip had been felicitated by the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe at a function graced by Prince Philip on October 6, 2011 (see "Sovereign sesquicentennial,” Parsiana, October 21, 2011 and "Notable nonagenarians,” November 21, 2011). This year Ervad Jimmy Madon will officiate at the prayers in honor of the departed souls whilst the rest of the congregation have been requested to keep their heads covered "as a mark of respect…both during prayer and afterwards whilst placing sandalwood and loban on the atash.” The circular makes a further appeal "to remember our departed souls and thus become the torchbearers of progress, unity and amity within our small but forward-looking community.”