Premier in Perth
Nearly 330 delegates from 14 countries attended the first World Zoroastrian Congress in the southern hemisphere
Firoz and Mahrukh Pestonji
Whilst 330 delegates had registered for the Congress, the largest contingents had come from Iran, India and Australia whilst Canada, Pakistan, UK, France, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, UAE and Iraq had representations in single digits. From Australia itself, there were as many Parsis who had come from Sydney and Melbourne as from the local community in Perth to attend the Congress hosted by the Business Association of Western Australian Zoroastrians (BAWAZ).
"It is an honor that you chose Perth as the venue for this important event,” stated Mark McGowan, the Premier of Western Australia (WA), particularly since it is the first time that a WZC is being held in the southern hemisphere. When referring to the 400 Zoroastrians in Perth, McGowan described them as "a very exclusive community, engaged in business, sports” and most importantly producing Yaz Mubarakai, WA Labor member for Jandakot, "a member of Parliament who is very popular, being very easy, very nice to get along with.” Displaying Zoroastrian values of "goodness and kindness, traits not associated with my colleagues, he makes for a very unusual MP,” acknowledged the head of the executive branch of government in WA. Refering to Perth as "a terrific place, so different to other parts of Australia with its magnificent forests and beaches,” he urged the gathering assembled in "the terrific convention center and terrific hotel” to explore it. "I hope the deliberations are interesting and unusual; hope you take something special from this Congress.”
The presence of the Premier was also used to acknowledge the organizers’ gratitude to the sponsors of the Congress — Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hongkong, Canton and Macao (ZCFHCM), Purviz and late Rusy Shroff of Hong Kong, Jokhi family of Hong Kong, Godrej Industries Limited, the Surty family in loving memory of Darayus, the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust, Mahrukh and Firoz Pestonji — and guiding lights like Rohinton and Roshan Rivetna, Khojeste and Firoza Mistree who had contributed to its success.
The book Zarathushtra and the Origins of Zoroastrianism: Exploring the Historical, Social, Cultural and Economic Legacy, specially produced for the Congress by Meher Bhesania of Dubai, the organizer of the Ninth WZC in Dubai was also released by the Premier. "This book is a must read for community thinkers. It is a collector’s item,” stated the author. With over 400 photos plus watercolor paintings depicting Zarathushtra’s life, Bhesania considered her book "a chronicle of Persian civilization from ancient Iran to the present era,” providing a visual history of the legends and their legacies and referring to the flowering of Zoroastrians on Indian soil. An accompanying film Life and Times of Zarathushtra also produced by Bhesania, was "dedicated to Firoz Pestonji’s 11WZC.”
The consul general of India in Australia, Amit Mishra described the Zoroastrian community as "the most successful and most entrepreneurial. You have been a part of Indian society whilst adapting to change… As the most educated community starting with Dadabhai Naoroji you have led economic changes in India. Whether in the field of military, law, arts or culture, Parsis have topped the list of achievers,” commented Mishra who chose not to turn to Google for information but recall from memory the names of individuals who have impacted India in different ways. Whilst fleeing from persecution in Persia "they became a blessing for India. Thank you for enriching India,” he stated. Happy that "the Congress had landed in Perth, one of the best places in the world, and not gone to east Australia,” he assured the delegates that they "wouldn’t regret” coming to WA.
Looking at the philanthropic institutions built by Parsis in Bombay, Mishra referred to the metropolis as a "Parsi city,” before impressing upon the youngsters to increase the community numbers as "an obligation and a duty. You cannot be allowed to fade into history. Being role models for other communities, the world would be much peaceful if we adopt their values.”
From l: Zarine Commissariat, Afreed Mistry, Khambatta; Mani Rao and Mobedyar Rashin Jehangiri
World leaders acclaim
The Congress brochure carrying messages from dignitaries across the globe were flashed on the screens for the delegates. The first message was from Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea who wrote, "Our achievements continue to be the highest in the world per capita for any community… These achievements are based on the foundations of the Zoroastrian faith, with the community living the word ‘integrity’ and a faith that continues to keep its tradition of tolerance, acceptance and respect for other faiths…” The last message was from Mubarakai who declared, "Let this Congress be the forum where we can discuss freely what we must preserve, and what we must change so that our youth are positioned successfully for the future… The Congress is an ideal platform to discuss our shared history, culture, traditions and faith but…we must not be afraid to engage with the socioeconomic issues our community faces and be imaginative in our solutions.”
From Iran, there were messages from the President of the Islamic Republic Dr Hassan Rouhani who acknowledged, "The continuous presence of Zoroastrianism in Iran has exerted its influence on the followers of other divine religions in areas of culture and civilization… The rites of valor and gallantry are among the most characteristic of all Iranians of any ethnicity. We should acknowledge these common roots that bind us all together and shape our conduct…”
Another message from Dr Ali Larijani, Speaker of the Parliament of Iran read, "The monotheist Persians, with their features of rationality, open-mindedness and conscientiousness, for long have pursed their noble intentions in addition to justice and have rightly endeavored to disseminate them. Dialog amongst the followers of divine religions, with the aim of spiritual advancement and development of ethics and peace has always been praiseworthy.”
The president of the Anjoman e Mobedan e Iran, Mobed (Dr) Ardeshir Khorshidian was all praise for "the community leaders and priests who throughout the troubled history of our religion have strived to guard and maintain the high ethical and humanitarian standards as set by our religion.”
The high priests from India, Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal advocated "a faithful transmission and an acceptance on our part of the faith and its traditions,” while Dastur Khurshed Dastoor urged, "Let us be ever watchful to guard our morals…and be proud to be known as Parsis.”
At the inaugural jashan led by Ervad Asphandiar Dadachanji of Bombay, there were priests from different regions: Ervads Aspi Madon and Mahiyar Keravala of Perth, Peshotan Katrak from Sydney, Mobeds Koorosh Niknam from France and Bahrom Firozgary of USA, and Mobedyars Maneck Bhujwala of California and the lady priest Rashin Jehangiri of Iran. In his explanation of the jashan, Dadachanji reminded that the priests are the representatives of Ahura Mazda and the seven Amesha Spentas are represented through a glass of milk, lamp, vessels and religious implements, water, flowers and fruits, and the ground on which the priests sit. In the introductory Dibache, the senior priest prays "pa ganj e dadar ohrmuzd rayomand khoreman beresad (may these celebrations reach the treasury of the brilliant and glorious Ahura Mazda).”
Munching on the chasni fruits and dry fruits as also the specially prepared malido, sev and ravo laid out on each circular table, the delegates continued to give a patient hearing to the speakers and enjoy the entertainment offered by the native Wadumbah Dance Group, the performers from Dance Force and the talented Zoroastrian artistes who rendered the Congress anthem and danced to foot tapping music until dinner was served at 8.15 p.m.
The formal part of the evening function ended with the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarathoshti led by Mani Rao of the US. The request to the audience that the wordings in the last line of each verse "Abadi sathé tu o Parsi kom” be substituted with "Abadi sathé tu o Zarathoshti kom” created heartburn among some community members in India who were not happy that the line signifying "May the Parsi community flourish” be amended to "May the Zarathoshti community flourish.” Jehangiri rendered melodious songs from the Gathas.
Attendance and absentia
In the months leading up to the 11WZC, apprehensions were expressed on whether the organizers were capable of handling such a project. Very few appreciated that Perth had actually bid for the 12WZC in 2022 but when Singapore opted out, they were persuaded to take up the mantle for 2018. An active website sought to keep the community informed of developments concerning the Congress, the dignitaries who were expected to attend, and the tour packages on offer by Pestonji’s Aussie Perth Tours.
The leaders who attended from different regions were all praise: "You have done an incredible job,” Neville Shroff, non executive chairman of the Global Working Group and president of the ZCFHCM, complimented the organizers of the 11WZC. "We are very proud that a small group has taken up the torch,” affirmed Homi Gandhi, president of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA). Empathizing with the organizers, Malcolm Deboo, president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe remarked, "We know how difficult it is to organize a world gathering.” He further commented that "it is very important for the global leadership to aspire to have a Zoroastrian representative on the government of every country. Without representation, it is difficult to exist in the country.”
"Thanking all who organized the Congress,” Dr Esfandiyar Ekhtiyari, the Zoroastrian representative on the Iranian parliament spoke in Dari, "the original language of Zarathushtis,” for he was convinced, "If we want to keep our religion, we should keep our language. Language is part of our culture.” He invited the gathering to Iran saying, "Of course, Iran belongs to all of you.” Whilst all Iranian speakers would preface their talk with "Kshnoathre Ahure Mazda,” representatives from the Australian government would begin by "acknowledging the traditional (aborigine) owners of the land… and pay respects to elders past and present.”
"Australians, you did it. May you host lots many community functions in the future,” appreciated Bhesania. "The contents of this Congress were high in business and entrepreneurial areas,” observed Edul Daver, chairman of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce. "Australia has come of age. When the Congress was allotted to them, there were reservations,” candidly admitted Dinshaw Tamboly, chair of the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust. "Wish you guys all the best from all the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and the residents of Bombay,” said BPP trustee Viraf Mehta. Congratulating the organizers, Awat Darya of Kurdistan hoped "next time the conference will be held in Kurdistan.”
Those who chose to stay away from the 11WZC, were content to criticize and circulate WhatsApp messages like: "The Congress is totally wild and dominated by radicals… Under the guise of freedom of speech they have violated every norm in Zoroastrianism… There is a global plot by reformists living abroad to undermine the Parsi way of life in India.”
Undeterred by the critics, Pestonji and his BAWAZ organizing team that included wife Mahrukh, daughter Farzana Khambatta, Keykhosro Mazdeyasni, Kaizad Sunavala, Keravala, Shahpoor Kalantary, Hoshang and Zerophie Deboo, Tanaz Ghadiali, Arash Sethna and Mehraab Patalwala were content that they were pursuing the theme of the Congress: "Together, Towards Tomorrow.”
The proceedings of the second and third day of the Congress will be reported in forthcoming issues of Parsiana.