Readers' Forum
“Recognition for religion”
The item "Recognition for religion” (Zoroastrians Abroad, Parsiana, October 7-21, 2021) contains a statement reportedly made in the United States Congress’s House of Representatives dated Sunday, August 22, 2021, recognizing Zoroastrianism and its many influences.
I would be grateful if you could confirm the source and authenticity of this information as there appears to be no public record of the same. All US Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) proceedings and debates are available to the public on their website: https://www.congress.gov Also, there were no proceedings recorded for August 22, 2021, as it was a Sunday.
MASHYA AMROLIWALLA
Ontario, Canada
Sam Billimoria responds:
I am a long standing member of the Zoroastrian Association of California (ZAC), and as the ZAC center falls under Democrat Lou Correa’s jurisdiction, I approached him to obtain this recognition. Earlier, I had received a similar recognition in 1993-94 from then Congressman Ed Royce in a different district.
It is unfortunate that due to the Covid pandemic an official invitation could not be extended to the Congressman. I have been assured that once restrictions are lifted ZAC will invite him to our center.
As the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America and other associations are not involved in this project, they would not be aware of how it transpired.
I was in continuous dialog with Correa’s office in July and August 2021 and all my correspondence was copied to the ZAC president and secretary.
One of the regular practices observed is to give advance dates of recognition by issuers, as many events in the community are held on weekends. Government officials oblige with the requested dates. In our case the date initially requested was August 16, Navroz, but that deadline could not be met, so the next request was for Khordad Saal on August 21. However, the date August 22 somehow was entered, by error I would think.
I had taken the secretary of ZAC with me to the congressional office on Friday, August 20 at 3.30 p.m. to collect the recognition. It is my understanding that not every recognition is necessarily entered into the congressional records.
The office of Congressman Correa, where we picked up the recognition, is located at: Rancho Santiago Community College, 2323 N. Broadway, Ste 319, Sanata Ana, CA 92706, and is the source for authentication.
We should all be proud of our legacy.
I am a long standing member of the Zoroastrian Association of California (ZAC), and as the ZAC center falls under Democrat Lou Correa’s jurisdiction, I approached him to obtain this recognition. Earlier, I had received a similar recognition in 1993-94 from then Congressman Ed Royce in a different district.
It is unfortunate that due to the Covid pandemic an official invitation could not be extended to the Congressman. I have been assured that once restrictions are lifted ZAC will invite him to our center.
As the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America and other associations are not involved in this project, they would not be aware of how it transpired. I was in continuous dialog with Correa’s office in July and August 2021 and all my correspondence was copied to the ZAC president and secretary.
One of the regular practices observed is to give advance dates of recognition by issuers, as many events in the community are held on weekends. Government officials oblige with the requested dates. In our case the date initially requested was August 16, Navroz, but that deadline could not be met, so the next request was for Khordad Saal on August 21. However, the date August 22 somehow was entered, by error I would think.
I had taken the secretary of ZAC with me to the congressional office on Friday, August 20 at 3.30 p.m. to collect the recognition. It is my understanding that not every recognition is necessarily entered into the congressional records.
The office of Congressman Correa, where we picked up the recognition, is located at: Rancho Santiago Community College, 2323 N. Broadway, Ste 319, Sanata Ana, CA 92706, and is the source for authentication.
We should all be proud of our legacy.
Editors' note: Amroliwalla has subsequently withdrawn his letter which will be carried in the next issue.
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