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Five years ago "on a cautious note” an informal group named Empowering Mobeds (EM) was formed by the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds (WZOTF) and the Athornan Mandal. Their goal was "to bring together individuals, both mobeds and behdins who believe in elevating the standing and condition of mobedi as a profession.” On April 23 this year 54 mobeds, their family members and well-wishers gathered at the hall of the Dadar Athornan Institute (DAI) to commemorate the establishment of the Empowering Mobeds Trust (EMT). The hall was awash in white raiment. As advisor to the Trust and DAI principal Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia observed, "Even on our annual day we do not see so many mobeds.”
"Our mobeds must be a bridge between the community and the faith,” commented WZOTF chairman Dinshaw Tamboly. The newly formed Trust will support priests by explaining the meaning behind rituals; relevance, pronunciation and meaning of prayers; presentation skills; soft skills like building confidence and problem solving; and interpersonal skills for forging a deeper connect with the laity, Tamboly stated.
The vision of the Trust, as stated in their brochure, is to give power to the mobeds to create opportunities for themselves and the community. The stated mission is to "provide effective means and create everlasting solutions with hope, strength and joy” for the priests.
Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, settlor of the Trust, emphasized, "A mobed has to perform ceremonies, ... but what is more important is to do things that no one expects you to do… Be an athravan to spread the religion…a friend and guide to behdins.” Making a plea for financial independence for mobeds, Dastoor stated that "a mobed needs to be well looked after to be able to guide and perform his duties… he need not go to the community always (for help).”
Dastur Keki Ravji Meherjirana, advisor to EMT, stressed the importance of correct pronunciation while reciting prayers: "Khali bhantar bhani jaay téné mobed nai kehvay (A mobed is not one who only recites prayers).” 
Karanjia stated that he was gratified to see in the audience so many priests who have performed nirangdins. The principal enumerated the qualities of a good priest as laid down in the Vendidad 13.45: contentment; to keep busy; adding to his own stock of knowledge; to relieve the distress of others; to create an easy passage to the spiritual world. Yet another attribute was to be a "moderate eater,” he stated, in a lighter vein. Gratified that the Trust will now give "skills back to the mobeds,” Karanjia stated that "mobedi, if done with passion, has many rewards.” "Mobed no haath hamésha uppar hovo joiyé [A mobed must always be a giver (of guidance)],” he stated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dastur (Dr) Feroze Kotwal, EMT settlor, who could not attend due to poor health, had his message read out by trustee Karl Sahukar. "I pray that the scheme will not remain on paper,” he conveyed, stressing that "in the last 100 years, many schemes were formed for mobeds, but these were not fully addressed.” The High Priest believed that with the right tools, mobeds will be able to help Mazda worshippers.
Tamboly acknowledged that counsellor and psychotherapist Binaifer Sahukar, and now EMT trustee, was the inspiration behind the formation of the group. He reiterated the activities of the group since its formation: bi-annual training programs in various fields; activity-based Zoom meetings every Thursday in the last two years necessitated by the pandemic; bhantar classes; joint programs with XYZ (Xtremely Young Zoroastrians), the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America’s Return to Roots program and the Bombay Parsi Punchayet’s Holiday Programme for Youth; introducing fire retardant jamas (priestly vestments) and even fun based activities like football matches (see "Preparing young mobeds,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, April 21-May 6, 2021). 
"The connection of the laity with the clergy is not strong,” Tamboly stated, harking back to his days in Navsari when his family priest Ervad Cawasdaroo Ravji would be part of every solemn and happy family occasion. "No religion can survive without an enlightened clergy,” he stated.
Architect Hafeez Contractor and his wife Perl, who were present at the function, "are considering supporting the Trust,” said Tamboly.
Trustee Ervad Meher Modi spoke about the vision of EMT. "We are often asked if we are orthodox or liberal…If this is only a fun and games program… We have to take the best from everyone and move ahead,” he stated. "There is a need to consolidate efforts to help mobeds… While every scheme is designed to help, efforts are fragmented… We will work with the Madressa (DAI)… We will create well-rounded leaders.”
Core team member and special educator Kashmira Kakalia introduced her co-members which include Ervads Cyrus Darbari, Farzad Driver, Firdaus Pavri, Hormuz Dadachanji, Kaizad Karkaria, Kerman Fatakia, Khushroo Makihatana, Marzban Kanga, Dr Mazda Turel, Porus Katrak, Shahvir Panthaky and Sheherazad Pavri; and behdin Sarosh Daruwalla.
The morning had begun with a jashan performed by the DAI students. Karkaria served as the master of ceremonies while Dadachanji kicked off the formal part of the meeting with a humbandagi.
Binaifer’s vote of thanks included mention of Bachi Tamboly as being the rock beside Dinshaw, and the efforts of senior lawyer and EMT trustee Burjor Antia in giving shape to the trust deed.
A sumptuous lunch catered by Jimmy Gadiwala followed.