New abode for New York

The Zarathushti population from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will gather to inaugurate their new Arbab Rustam Guiv Dar-e-Mehr on March 26, 2016, Khordadsal, according to the Fasli calendar. Since the inauguration has been scheduled for roz Khordad as per the Fasli calendar and roz Mohor according to the Shahenshahi and Kadmi calendars, the specially designed invite in deep red and pista green bore images of the flowers lily (for roz Khordad) and narcissus (associated with roz Mohor) in keeping with the old Zoroastrian tradition where each roz of the month has a flower associated with it.
The inauguration program to be hosted by the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York (ZAGNY), the Iranian Zoroastrian Association (IZA) and the Dar-e-Mehr Zoroastrian Temple (DMZT) will start with a reception at 10 in the morning, followed by ribbon cutting, and include a traditional jashan led by Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada to bless the building. After the formal addresses and entertainment, the function will end with an inaugural luncheon at 3.15 p.m.

Arbab Rustam Guiv Dar-e-Mehr in New York Photo: Shirin Kumaana-Wadia

The new religious and cultural community center in Pomona, New York, built at a cost of nearly US $ 5,000,000 (Rs 350,000,000) will be "the community’s third home in the last 40 years, but the first that will reflect traditional Zoroastrian architecture and character,” notes a press release forwarded by Lovji Cama, founder member of ZAGNY. Their first home in New Rochelle took shape with a commitment of $ 100,000 by Arbab Rustam Guiv, in 1977. In 2001 they purchased their current property in Pomona. In the intervening period they undertook several renovations and alterations of their old structure before they decided to construct a new building on the property and demolish the earlier one.
With the rising membership of ZAGNY and IZA, the new Dar-e-Mehr is expected to fulfill the religious needs of nearly 1,000 Zoroastrians residing in the Greater New York area. "Based on this growth and the needs of the community, a new Dar-e-Mehr building was conceived — one that reflects a Zarathushti ambiance and creates a sense of belonging, so as to preserve the faith and culture…and create a legacy for future generations to enjoy and cherish. Inspired by ancient Persian and Zoroastrian architecture of the fire temples of India, the building designed by Wadia Associates features a stone façade with a colonnaded portico and decorative capitols evoking the architectural style of Persepolis… This 22,000 sq ft structure has four classrooms, three meeting rooms, a library, a traditional prayer hall, kitchen facilities and a main hall that can accommodate up to 400 guests,” specifies the press release.
Demonstrating an "unwavering and dedicated mindset,” they were able to raise the required funds from the local, national and international community in four years. The latest fund-raising drive in December 2015 sought support to install solar energy equipment to harness electricity at the Dar-e-Mehr considering this to be "in consonance with a very Zoroastrian tenet of living in harmony with nature... Not only will this be the right thing to do but will also be a major practical asset to eliminating electricity cost and reducing the overall cost of maintaining the building,” noted the website dmzt.org created for the Dar-e-Mehr initiative, giving monthly updates with photographs of the progress at the site of construction. DMZT has in fact established a special account – "DMZT- Solar Fund” – for those inclined to support this cause.
DMZT is the religious corporation that holds title to the property, with its trustees being responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the premises shared by ZAGNY and IZA, states the press release. ZAGNY aspires to sustain Zoroastrian identity, preserve and share cultural traditions and strives to create a sense of belonging for community members of the tri-state area, adds the release. Besides representing the faith at the United Nations and interfaith events like the Persian Day Parade and New York City mayor’s celebrations during Navroz, ZAGNY members are known to support medical and religious institutions in India as also local causes for blood donation and bone marrow registry. "This new Dar-e-Mehr…will help preserve our rich and varied identity, one that our future generations will enjoy with pride,” stated Astad Clubwala, president of ZAGNY.
For the last 30 years IZA has been catering to the growing Iranian American Zarathushti communities in the northeastern region of US. IZA conducts religious ceremonies, celebrates Persian holidays and rituals, and organizes cultural events, providing educational opportunities in the teaching of the Zarathushti faith, the Persian language, and the culture and history of Iran.