"We look forward to being able to welcome our community back to World Zoroastrian House. The center will be open to all and will also be available for private event rental to all, Zoroastrians and non-Zoroastrians,” noted the newly introduced newsletter of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) issued on May 28, 2021. As announced chairman Rumi Sethna, "I am delighted to announce that on the initiative of our younger committee members, we have decided to relaunch a freshly designed WZO newsletter keeping our members up-to-date with news and events.” To be published every few months to promote WZO activities, the contents of the newsletter can be accessed through social media channels like Facebook and Instagram as also email and the WZO website.
During the period of 2020-21 when the center was closed, minor works were undertaken while resident mobed Ervad Fali Madon performed a weekly boi ceremony at their Setayesh Gah that was broadcast live on Facebook every Sunday followed by a discussion on a topic related to the Zoroastrian faith. Fali and his wife Anahita who is the WZO administration assistant took care to keep the center ready for use and also undertook cataloging of the contents of the Dr Xerxes S. Captain Library which has an impressive and unique collection of material including the library of independent researcher Farrokh Vajifdar which was bequeathed to WZO. The Library was founded by the past chairman of WZO Shahpur Captain in memory of his son who passed away at 26 years of age soon after graduating in medicine.
Religious and environmental activities undertaken
from World Zoroastrian House (above right)
WZO will be assisting in the UK distribution of Dastur (Dr) Maneckji Dhalla’s gem Homage Unto Ahura Mazda, originally printed in 1943 with 1,500 copies reprinted and distributed free of charge by Pervin and Firdaus Dastoor.
Zoroastrians around the world who wish to avail of the Shahenshahi muktad prayers that will be streamed live on Facebook for 10 days can contact
fali.madon@w-z-o.org and make any donation of their choice. Even non-Zoroastrian spouses can make a request for the inclusion of their partner’s name.
The newly formed Zoroastrian Eco Group that was spearheaded by WZO life member Shahin Bekhradnia on World Earth Day 2021 is promoting its Plant a Tree program. Traditionally the birth of a child was celebrated with the planting of a fruit bearing tree and the life of a beloved deceased member of the family was commemorated with that of an evergreen tree by Zoroastrians. "This tradition was maintained through generations of Zoroastrians and still is commonplace within some communities,” stated the newsletter. WZO will reimburse up to £ 20 (Rs 2,070) towards the cost of a tree planted in a garden, balcony or any suitable space in the UK. "This is a beautiful, ecologically sound way of putting the philosophy of Zoroaster into practice.”
An online graduate level credit course on "An Introduction to Zoroastrianism — Faith, History, Modernity and Connections with Major Religions” was scheduled to be conducted by Kayomarsh Mehta, president of WZO US region. This summer course was planned as a joint effort of the NAMC (North American Mobeds Council) Institute of Zoroastrian Studies and the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.
WZO is seeking participation of younger members of the community as also volunteers with expertise in areas such as communication, finance/accounting and community development to pursue its three primary objectives: providing socioeconomic help to those in need; disseminating knowledge of Zoroastrianism; protecting the human rights of all Zoroastrians.