Worship at Washington
The munificence of Khodamorad Kamran, five associations and 200 individuals enabled the construction of a Dar-e Mehr in Boyds, Maryland
Recognition tree (Photo: Mahafreen Mistry)
As the "architect, builder and financial sponsor for this project,” Kamran had committed around $ 1.5 million (Rs 90,000,000) towards the erection of the two-storey, 10,000 sq ft building, situated on approximately five acres of land. He was instrumental in procuring the necessary permits and would monitor the progress of the structure until his sudden demise last year "when he was very close to realizing his noble dream of completing the construction of a magnificent Dar-e Mehr and community center,” acknowledged a tribute on the ZAMWI website.
He was remembered "with deep gratitude and affection during the opening jashan,” noted a communiqué from ZAMWI president Navroz Gandhi recording "the munificence of the late Khodamorad, his wife Banoo (who cut the inaugural ribbon), and the entire Kamran family.” Gandhi further referred to the magnanimity of over 200 individuals and five associations, many of the donors being present at the September 20 events, intentionally compartmentalized as the morning and afternoon programs due to an occupancy limit of 200 individuals in the main hall at the Dar-e Mehr.
Even whilst the prayer room (with an occupancy limit of 80 individuals) at the Dar-e Mehr is expected to be ready by early 2015, so far ZAMWI has raised "approximately $ 850,000 (Rs 51,000,000)…(of which) $ 500,000 (Rs 30,000,000) is for the construction, $ 200,000 (Rs 12,000,000) for furnishings and $ 150,000 (Rs 9,000,000) to seed a maintenance fund. The Kamran family spent their funds on everything else,” stated Gandhi in response to Parsiana’s queries. In addition to the main hall and prayer room, the building allows for four classrooms, an office, a warming kitchen and service area (due to the county’s zoning restrictions, only light cooking is permitted on the premises). An elegant "recognition tree” mounted at the entrance to the main hall records for posterity the names of the major donors. Six feet in height and seven feet in width, depending on the amount of donation, the names are inscribed on bronze, silver or gold leaves with contributions in excess of $ 50,000 being recognized on stones mounted next to the tree.
Spruced up with floral torans and chalk designs, members and guests visiting the Kamran Dar-e Mehr at the inaugural were welcomed in the traditional manner with rose water and sweets. The morning function commenced with a jashan led by Ervad (Brig) Behram Panthaki and assisted by Ervads (Dr) Soli Dastur, Adi Unwalla, Noshir Karanjia and Mobedyar Zen Panday. In the speeches that followed Gandhi dwelt on what the Dar-e Mehr symbolizes for the community and the future it holds, whilst the immediate past president of ZAMWI Mehrdad Aidun related how the project evolved and became a reality with Kamran’s munificence. Kamran’s daughter, Shahin Kamran Foroutan then conveyed her father’s vision for the Dar-e Mehr.
The four other speakers were Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County executive, Katayun Kapadia and Homi Gandhi, president and vice president of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), and Dr Daryoush Jahanian of the Rustam Guiv Foundation that had made a sizable donation. The Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong, Canton and Macao had also made a generous contribution. Urvaksh Patel officiated as the master of ceremonies. The cultural programs in the morning and afternoon included music performances by the local ZAMWI youth including a beautiful rendition of the Khan Ashem Vohu, composed by Dr Khosrow Mehrfar. The afternoon session additionally included performances by the Silk Road Dance Company. Whilst the morning celebrations ended with a hearty lunch laid out on the lawns, the evening festivities ended with a dinner spread of Indian and Iranian dishes.
Interiors of the Dar-e Mehr (AW)
Exteriors of the Dar-e Mehr [Photos: Mahafreen Mistry]
The names of the performers have all been included in the special bilingual English-Farsi brochure brought out on the occasion. Also listed are the names of the ZAMWI board of trustees starting with president Navroz Gandhi, vice president Zarir Khademian, secretary Parmis Khosravi, joint secretary Bahram Soroosh, treasurer Mahzarine Chinoy, and trustee-at-large Sima Sekhavat. On the Dar-e Mehr Operations Committee (DOC) responsible for the management, operations and maintenance of the facility are chairperson Shehernaz Joshi Verahrami, treasurer Daryoosh Kiankhooy-Fard and members Neville Elavia, Shahin Kamran Foroutan and Zenobia Taraporewala. Excerpts from the Gathas, a brief history on the Zoroastrian religion, the significance of the jashan ceremony and the growth of ZAMWI are the other items featured in the brochure.
As reported in the 20-page brochure, "ZAMWI is responsible for celebrating and educating its membership about the Zoroastrian faith and about both its Iranian and Parsi Zarathushti customs and traditions. In addition to (celebrating) religious festivals…the Association holds a children’s bicycle ride, ski Saturdays, a summer picnic and children’s talent show. ZAMWI is a member of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, and encourages its members to take part in charitable, civic and community activities in order to practise the teachings of Zarathushtra and follow the path of Asha.” On an average 100-125 individuals are seen at most events although the attendance increases to 250-300 on occasions like Navroz, Parsi New Year and muktad prayers.
A religious reality
In the early 1990s ZAMWI was offered a lease to build a darbe mehr on a property purchased by the Guiv Foundation but the board then declined the lease for want of funds. As explained on their website, a large number of Iranian Zarathushtis "arrived in the US with extremely limited funds at their disposal.” But once they started prospering their philanthropy rose phenomenally as proved by Kamran.
The new Kamran Dar-e Mehr will be managed jointly by the Kamran Foundation and ZAMWI although ownership will vest with the Kamran Foundation. The five-member DOC includes one individual from the Kamran Foundation, two from the ZAMWI board and two from the ZAMWI membership at large. To be elected by the ZAMWI membership, the committee must serve a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years before it stands for reelection.
ZAMWI will initially enjoy a five-year lease at a cost of $ 12/year for the sole use of the Dar-e Mehr. The DOC may rent out the Dar-e Mehr for private functions when not in use by ZAMWI and use the funds towards the operating and maintenance costs. After the five-year lease is over, a longer term lease will be entered into between ZAMWI and the Kamran Foundation as the Foundation would like to gradually limit its involvement so long as ZAMWI maintains and keeps the Dar-e Mehr clean and in good condition, the terms are detailed on the ZAMWI website.
Whilst the inaugural functions had to be restricted to a "local celebration with only a few guests,” Navroz Gandhi’s letter to FEZANA office bearers and members carried an open invitation: "We hope to welcome you at our Dar-e Mehr on a future date whenever you next find yourself in the Washington DC area.”
Felicitations from FEZANA
"FEZANA, its executive and all its member associations congratulate ZAMWI on the momentous occasion of the opening of the Kamran Dar-e Mehr... It is indeed the culmination of a long journey,” noted a post on the FEZANA website, fezana.org
The website marked the occasion by posting a video feature on "New Zoroastrian Centers: A FEZANA Panel Discussion” based on presentations made prior to their 2014 annual general meeting on the subject: "How to Build/Buy/Upgrade Association Centers.” Behram Irani of the Zoroastrian Association of North Texas recounted how they succeeded in inaugurating their Center in 2011 after raising $ 1,250,000 (Rs 75,000,000) by 2009. President of the Zoroastrian Association of California Tehmi Damania related how a pledge of $ 150,000 (Rs 9,000,000) by Purin Boman spurred them to build new premises in 2010 and currently concentrate on building an atash kadeh at an estimated cost of $ 550,000 (Rs 33,000,000). Edul Daver of the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York explained how they progressed from "impossible to improbable” in 2010, from "improbable to probable” a year later, from "probable to likely” by March 2013, and from "likely to definite” by March 2014 to pursue their dream of building new premises on their property in Pomona at a cost of $ 4.5 million (Rs 270,000,000) by end 2015.
Urged Homi Gandhi in his introduction on the site, "Go ahead and have your own centers, the world is at your feet.”