سياتل: زرتشتيان ايالت واشنگتن آمريكا به مناسبت جشن سده در تاريخ شنبه 12 بهمن ماه گرد هم آمدند. در اين برنامه، نخست، نيايش توسط خانم فرانك سروشيان اجرا گرديد. سپس خانم فرنگيس سروشيان دقايقى در مورد فلسفه و تاريخچه جشن سده صحبت كردند.

در ادامه همكيشان به معرفى خود پرداخته و پيشنهادهايى را مطرح نمودند. از جمله اين پيشنهادها، ارتباط بيشتر ميان همكيشان جديد ساكن ايالت و افراد قديمى تر بود. همچنين تعدادى از همكيشان نسبت به برگزارى كلاسهاى اوستا براى كودكان و همچنين بزرگسالان اظهار علاقه نمودند كه برگزارى اين كلاسها توسط هيئت مديره انجمن مورد پيگيرى قرار خواهد گرفت. اين برنامه با صرف شام كه توسط همكيشان تهيه شده بود، همراه بود.

گردهمايى جشن سده در ايالت واشنگتن، به دليل محدوديت سالن گردهمايى، بدون افروختن آتش انجام شد. در حال حاضر، زرتشتيان ايالت واشنگتن داراى نيايشگاه يا سالن گردهمايى نمى باشند و برنامه ها در مكان هاى مختلفى كه توسط انجمن اجاره ميشود، برگزار ميگردند

The Persian music album “The Gift”, is produced by Zarthushti brothers Bahram and Mehrdad Banki (from San Diego, CA) for Persian artist Tara.  This album was released by label Century Records-USA in September 2008, and consists of nine songs.

To get more information about the album, its producers and other Zarthushti’s involved in the music business, WZNN arranged an interview with Mr. Bahram Banki. WZNN thanks Bahram Banki for his patience and detailed answers to our questions.

WZNN: Could you give more details about “The Gift”, your involvement with it, and in general how you got involved with the Persian music industry?

Bahram Banki: “Album “The Gift” consists of 9 upbeat songs, in which I have composed 7 of them (full lyrics and partial music).  While growing up, I always had a huge passion for Persian music and its involvement.  In 1986 my brother Mehrdad introduced me to Siavash Shams, a singer I idolized, and eventually leading to good family friendship times.  Being around him and getting exposure to the Persian music business only inspired me to take my lyric writing hobby to a higher level, as before it was just for passing time.  Finally in 2004, I decided to write my first full song (“Xmas in Las Vegas”) on a professional level.  Tara, being another good family friend, and a singer with already 2-released albums (“Bahaar” and “Leili”), liked my work and therefore, we decided to make this song an experimental project together.  After a successful production of this song, I was also motivated to write a song about Iran’s national soccer team, as the excitement of World Cup 2006 was on its way.  The song “Maa Goal Zadim” was also made with a music video (available on www.TaraMusicSpace.com) and went down as my 2nd song written on a professional level.  One event leading to another, mainly inspired by my emotions and feelings, 5 new songs followed.

My Producer title involves me being the composer of almost the entire album, investor and album-partner, and mainly getting the album from point A to Z.  But none of this would have been possible without the help of my oldest brother Mehrdad Banki (album co-Producer and manager), pushing it to happen from point A to Z.  In fact, Mehrdad’s dealing and negotiations made the release of this album possible.”

WZNN: Who were other Zarthushti’s involved with this album?

Bahram Banki: “Other Zartoshti’s directly involved with this album production were my cousin Babak Parsi (Tara’s website developer); Kamran Yasnafar, Rashid Parsi, and Rostam Javidan for their musical support during the making of the first 2 songs; my cousin Farzad Khorshidian (ITN tv host), Ramin Mehrabani (aka DJ Romeo; also Kamyar’s management team, as well as producer for tv show “PMTV Exposed” on Apaddana International) and Behnam Farzaneh (Live Channel tv host) for providing media support and advising.  Honestly, almost the entire Zartoshti community was involved throughout this album production with hanging in there with me and providing motivation/support!”

WZNN: Would you do this again?

Bahram Banki: “Would I do this again?  Right now, I don’t know.  The 4 years had its own ups and downs, and it takes a lot of energy, time, commitment, and financial risk. Currently I have a couple single tracks ready and in the works, for a surprise Zartoshti group, as well as for a follow-up song for Tara, and one for a new artist friend of mine.  It all depends.  Most importantly, if there’s no financial return for all the investment and energy put into it, it is not worth it.”

WZNN: Do you recommend other Zarthushti youth to enter the Persian music and entertainment market?

Bahram Banki: “ I guess it depends on how bad they want it, and how much they’re willing to sacrifice for it.  The pennies and dimes start to add up.  And competition is too high.  Plus, these days it’s all about connections, who you know, and basically “party-baazi”.  Unless you have an exceptional talent or money to throw away, I suggest you finding another passion.  But if you have already entered this market or planning to do so regardless, and it will be just a side hobby alongside your normal job, best wishes for you and make us proud!”

WZNN: Any other comments?

Bahram Banki: “Last but not least, I would like to Thank everyone who knows me and/or reading this, for your support by owning an official copy of “The Gift” album.  Your contribution does not go into our pockets, but your kindness sits in our hearts!

And a special Thanks to WZNN team for all the hard work they put into this great website for the rest of us to enjoy and stay connected with our community.”

Mehrzad Dehmiri – Toronto:  On January 4, 2009 Maidyarem Gahanbar was held at the Mehraban Guiv Darbe Mehr in Ontario, Canada.
There were four Mobeds performing the Gahanbar prayers, Mobed Kerman Katrak along with three teenager Mobeds. Behram Antia, Rayomand Antia and Rushad Bharda were the youths who performed Gahanbar Avesta recital. The two brothers, Behram and Rayomand Antia became Mobeds two years ago in Bombay and Rushad had his ceremony last year at Udvada, India.

Gahanbar Avesta recital was followed by small talks which were also organized by youths. Mahshad Khosraviani, Nima Azarkeyvan and Kia Pourkiani spoke about Zartosht teaching in both Farsi and English.

The Gahanbar was organized by Zoroastrian Society of Ontario, and was attended by over 120 people. Traditional Gahanbar food was served.

کوروش آریانا – نروژ:  در ۱۴ دسامبر ۲۰۰۸ برای دومین بار آیین سدره پوشی گروهی برای پیوستن جمعی از شیفتگان دین زرتشت  در شهر مسکو روسیه برگزار شد. نو بهدینان از روسیه (با اصالت روس) و ایران در مراسم حضور یافتند تا با زرتشتیان همپیوند شوند.  آیین سدره پوشی توسط یک موبد ایرانی برگزار شد.
انجمن بزرگ بازگشت و انجمن زرتشتیان نروژ در همکاری با زرتشتیان مسکو، این آیین سدره پوشی و نیز آیین گواه گیران برای دو زوج نو بهدین در مسکو را برگزار کردند.
پس از انجام آیین سدره پوشی، در ۱۵ دسامبر نیز نشستی جهت بحث و گفتگوی مذهبی توسط دانشگاه مسکو در دانشکده فلسفه و مذهب این دانشگاه برگزار شد. در این نشست موبد در مورد پیام گاتها به سخنرانی پرداخت و این سخنرانی توسط پروفسور ولادیمیر ایوانف (رئیس دانشکده) از فارسی به روسی برگردانده شد. در ۱۶ دسامبر نیز نشست دیگری در دانشکده مطالعات ایران شناسی در دانشگاه مسکو برگزار شد.

(بر گردان گزارش به فارسی‌ توسط کامیار نیک انجام انجام گرفته است)

The Zoroastrian Society of Ontario is planning a symposium to explore different perspectives of the Zoroastrian faith. The event is co-sponsored by Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), Zoroastrian Society of Ontario (ZSO) and World Zoroastrian Organization (WZO).

Jehan Bagli one of the organizers told WZNN’s correspondent that  the conference will discuss cultural and historical perspective of the Zoroastrian faith.

The conference was first planned to be held in the city of Thornhill in Canada, but the location has changed to “Mehraban Guiv Dare Mehr” at  3590 Bayview Ave in the city of  North York, Ontario. The conference is scheduled for Sunday March 29,2009  from 9am-6pm.

In this conference Dr. Oktor Skjaervo (professor of Iranian Studies at Harvard University) will have a speech on  “Zoroastrian Literature as a Part of the Cultural Heritage of Modern Zoroastrians”.  Dr. Jennifer Rose, Professor of Zoroastrian Studies at Claremont Graduate University, will also give a talk about “Keepers of the Flame: The Early Zoroastrians of Central Asia”.

Another speaker is Dr. Maria Subtelny who is Professor of Persian and Islamic Studies at University of Toronto.  She will talk about “The Water of Omniscience and the Milk of Knowledge: Zoroastrian Elements in the Apocalypse of Muhammad”. Dr. Jamsheed Choksy from Central Eurasian Studies-Indiana University will also present his paper on “How a Minority Adapts: Zoroastrians in Ceylon/Sri Lanka  from Antiquity to the Present.”
Registration can be done by contacting Jehan Bagli (647-344-3531), Pervaze Rabadi (905-846-6177) or Nozer Kotwal (905-820-0461). Registration fee is $8.00 for Adults and $5.00 ofr youth under 25.

Roshan Rivetna – Chicago: Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAC) hosted the third SSZ (Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism) Conference at the Arbab Rustom Guiv Dare Mehr, in Chicago, November 21-24.

The conference was sponsored by Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (co-chairs Rohinton Rivetna and Pallan Ichaporia) with generous support from the World Zoroastrian Organization (WZO) and WZO-US president Keki Bhote. The mission of SSZ is to promote interaction among academicians, theologians (priests), educationists and practitioners of Zoroastrianism, through conferences and publications.  A primary goal is also to revive the tradition of scholarship within our own community and to support Zoroastrian studies and research in academia.

The 4-day program opened with a dinner reception for speakers and out-of-town guests at the Rivetna’s on Friday evening.  On Saturday, members of Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAC) presented an all-day seminar on  “Zoroastrianism 101: The Homeland, Life and Times of Zarathushtra.”  Presenters/session chairs included Naheed Vatcha, Spitaman Tata, Hoshi and Neville Vazifdar, Keikhosrow Mobed, Farida Sharyari, Persis Damkevala, Cyrus Rivetna, Shazad Mehta, Pesi Vazifdar, Burjis Sidhwa, Persis Damkevala, Tushad and Zenia Mehta, Rushna Patel, Rashna Balsara, Kristy Taylor. Jehangir Mobed presented the Life of Arbab Guiv and Jameshed Modi spoke on Diversity.

On Sunday, SSZ papers were delivered by Farrokh Vajifdar (London), Dinyar Patel (Harvard), Dr. Pallan Ichaporia (University of Mainz – in abstentia), Keki R. Bhote (Chicago), Shahin Bekhradnia (Oxford), Dastur Dr. Kersey H. Antia (High Priest, Chicago) and Prof. Jesse S. Palsetia (University of Guelph, Canada.  On Monday morning there was a Roundtable dialogue with the scholars and interested community members.

The programs opened with a Monajat by Mani Rao and ZAC choir and a Kavi Khabardar poem by Edul Udvadia; Benedictions by Hoshi and Neville Vazifdar and Bomi Damkevala; and Opening Remarks by ZAC president Hosi Mehta and Rohinton Rivetna.

Thanks to Aban Daboo, Roshan Rivetna, Dinaz Weber, Bachi Damkevala and Mani Rao and Mehroo Bhote for providing delicious food and dessert; and Registration volunteers Dinsoo Rivetna and Aban Vazifdar.

SSZ Conference Papers:

Session I was chaired by Afshan Barshan.  Farrokh Vajifdar presented “Salvation Technology:  Hellish Truths and Heavenly Lies.” Although thoroughly abstract, Zarathushtra’s teachings project a holistic view of an earthly good moral life, leaving speculations on Heaven and Hell to the formulations of Arda Wiraz and the High Pontiff Kirdir. Zarvanite aberrations and the cult of the Fravashis are examined in this light. Contrastive views are offered through the Antef Songs, Omar Khayyam’s irreligious quatrains, and the existentialist  thinking of John Milton. Good and bad priests appear and vanish, to be replaced by the forthright Gathic perspectives leading to some expectedly radical conclusions.  Bombay raised and London based, Farrokh Vajifdar comes from a high-priestly clan. His abiding interest in Indo-Iranian civilizations led to his specializing in Ancient Iranian languages and literature and the life-long attachment to Zoroastrian philosophy and spiritual teachings. He has written, lectured and broadcast (radio and television) on these subjects. As Fellow and former Vice-President of the Royal Asiatic Society, he referees and reviews books and articles on particular aspects of Zoroastrianism.

Session II was chaired by Minoo Press.  Dinyar Patel presented “Parsi Interactions with Iran.” This paper examines the activities of the Iran League (founded in 1922 by a group of Bombay Parsis committed to “renew and continue the connection between the old land of Iran and Hind …”) between the 1920s and 1940s in the context of Parsi relations with their Zoroastrian brethren in Iran and the imperial Iranian government.  Beginning in the 1850s, Parsis actively worked to ameliorate the conditions of the Iranian Zoroastrians, dwindling in numbers and reduced to abject poverty due to official government policies.  Iran League members built on decades of Parsi work by establishing schools and institutions as well as lobbying Tehran to consider Zoroastrian interests. Many Parsis believed that Iran in the 1930s was taking a profoundly Zoroastrian turn and began calling for the Parsi community to “return” to the Iranian motherland.  This romanticization of Iran, and the praise heaped on the supposedly “pro-Zoroastrian” Shah, was intimately linked to Parsi disillusionment with the course of Indian nationalist politics in the 1930s. Such sentiments also touched on an important issue of identity, one that remains salient amongst modern-day Parsis in both India/Pakistan and the diaspora.  Are some community members prepared to go as far as to call themselves more Iranian or Persian than they are Indian or Pakistani?  Dinyar Patel is a Ph.D. candidate in History at Harvard University.  His primary interest is modern Indian history, specifically the Indian independence movement and the development of the modern Parsi community.  He has conducted research on Parsi efforts to ameliorate the conditions of Iranian Zoroastrians in the 19th century, culminating in the work of Manakji Limji Hataria.  Over the past year, Mr. Patel has extensively studied Zoroastrian history, both ancient and modern, with Dr. Yuhan Vevaina of Harvard University.

Dr. Pallan Ichaporia’s paper on “Status of the Priesthood after the Fall of the Sasanian Empire” was not available since Dr. Ichaporia had to cancel his trip due to health reasons. Dr. Ichaporia, an elected Fellow of The Royal Asiatic Society of Gt. Britain and Ireland is an associate of Prof Helmut Humbach at Mainz University and co-authored several books. Works under progress include The Concordance of the Gathas.

Session III was chaired by Bomi Damkevala.  Keki R. Bhote presented a paper on “The Great Unknown Civilizations in Central Asia.”   Since the 1970′s there has been a veritable explosion of archeological excavations in Central Asia and Iran. Many of them date back to ancient aryan times – both pre-Zoroastrian and Zoroastrian. (1).  Arkaim, on the Kazakhstan and Russian border,  a spectacular Aryan city going back to 5000 BC.  (2)   Gonur, in south Turkmenistan, one of the five most ancient civilizations of the world dated around 7000 BCE.  (3) Tash Karim in north Uzbekistan, that existed since Zarasthushtra’s time and flourished as a Zoroastrian kingdom up to 1300 CE.  (4) Elam, in south east Iran, that was called the cradle of civilization and where writing was  first invented.  These excavations and others represent a proud heritage for us Zoroastrians. Mr. Bhote is a pioneer in furthering Zoroastrianism in North America, a founder (in 1965) and president of the Zoroastrian Association of America, the first in North America, a founder and trustee of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago and president of the World Zoroastrian Organization, US Region.

Shahin Bekhradnia presented a paper on  “Zoroastrians in Tajikistan.”  She spoke of her travels and her work in Tajikistan, (the poorest republic of the ex- Soviet Union) where she and fellow trustees of Vararoud ( a registered UK charity designed to aid Tajikistan)  have taken up sponsorship of children’s facilities in the national eye hospital. She has also helped set up a village sewing project where it is hoped that end products such as hats will be sold at Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum gift shop.   Shahin Bekhradnia is a graduate from Oxford University.  Her thesis was on Identity and Change in the 20th Century among Iranian Zoroastrians. She has lectured regularly on various aspects of the religion, its ethics and the community and has also published many articles.  She has also played an active part in InterFaith relations in the UK.  She co-founded a school in Oxford, being an interpreter for the Immigration Appellate, a legal advisor to a travel company and currently a teacher of Ancient History, Latin, Russian and French.  She is also a magistrate on the North Oxfordshire bench and the Oxfordshire Youth Panel, and a trustee of SMART (Substance Misuse Arrest Referral Team).  She is on the Executive Committee of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) and is their Religious Affairs Spokesperson.  One of her main duties is to support Zoroastrian refugees from Iran.   In Iran she has set up a skills academy in Yazd teaching young Zoroastrians to earn their own independent livelihoods and helped  establish a Senior Citizens Day Centre.  She is also a long standing  concerned environmentalist and participated as a candidate in the General Election for the Green Party some years ago.

Session IV was chaired by Cyrus Rivetna.  Dastur Dr. Kersey Antia presented a paper on “Zoroastrian and pre-Zoroastrian Iranians in Georgia, Trans-Caucasia and Europe.”  Mr. Bhote is a pioneer in furthering Zoroastrianism in North America, a founder (in 1965) and president of the Zoroastrian Association of America, the first in North America, a founder and trustee of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago and president of the World Zoroastrian Organization, US Region.  Dastur Dr. Kersey H. Antia is the high priest of the Zarathushti community in Chicago since 1977, and has served as an honorary priest for over half a century.  A fully-ordained priest, from the M. F. Cama Athornan Institute in Mumbai, Dr. Antia studied religion and Avesta-Pahlavi under Dasturji Dabu, Mirza and other learned priests. A clinical and management psychologist in private solo practice in Illinois, he is also affiliated with several hospitals.

Jesse S. Palsetia presented a paper on “Partners in Empire: Parsi-British Relations in Colonial India Assessed”. The paper examines the growth and consolidation of Parsi-British relations in colonial India. It highlights how the Parsis and British came into economic and socio-political collaboration, and details the benefits and disadvantages Parsis encountered through their interactions with the British. The presentation is meant to provide context to perceptions of the Parsis’ situation under British imperialism.  Prof. Palsetia is Associate Professor of History at the University of Guelph, Canada. He is a historian of South Asia in the ancient, medieval and modern periods. He has written extensively on the Parsis, Bombay city, and Indian history. He is the author of The Parsis of India (1st publication, 2001, Brill Publishers of Leiden), and (reprint, 2008, Manohar Publishers of New Delhi). He is presently writing a history of the Parsi businessman and philanthropist, Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy.

The closing session was a workshop, chaired by Keki R. Bhote, with panelists Farrokh Vazifdar and Shahin Bekhradnia.  The topics of discussion included:  Zoroastrianism in North America, Zoroastrians in Central Asia;  and Recognition for Dadabhai Naoroji.

The SSZ papers will also be available on the SSZ website. SSZ points of contact are  Pallan Ichaporia and Rohinton Rivetna.

Followng photos were taken by Roshan Rivetna from the SSZ conference in Chicago.

Dinyar Patel (Ph.D. candidate in History at Harvard University)  presented “Parsi Interactions with Iran.”

Shahin Bekhradnia presented a paper on  “Zoroastrians in Tajikistan.”

Dastur Dr. Kersey Antia presented a paper on “Zoroastrian and pre-Zoroastrian Iranians in Georgia, Trans-Caucasia and Europe.”

Farrokh Vajifdar from London, presented “Salvation Technology:  Hellish Truths and Heavenly Lies.”

Group of “Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism” conference speakers and organizers

دکتر خسرو خزاعی فارغ التحصیل رشته تاریخ تمدن و زبان شناسی‌ از دانشگاه بروکسل بلژیک و بنیان گذار کانون اروپایی برای آموزش جهان بینی‌ زرتشت در شهر بروکسل است. این کانون از نزدیک به ۲۷ سال پیش تاکنون برای آموزش جهان بینی‌ زرتشت در سطح اروپا و جهان فعال است.

ترجمه دکتر خسرو خزاعی از گاتها را میتوانید از اینجا دریافت کنید.

Dariush Jamasb-Virginia: Zoroastrians in Washington D.C area gathered in Virginia Dare Mehr to hold prophet Zarathustra’s passing-away anniversary.

The ceremony began with Avesta and Gatha recitations by Ms. Shahrzad Dehmoobad and Mr. Hormoz Jamshidi, and continued with a lecture by Mr. Khosro Frooudi on Zarathustra’s life. The ceremony ended with serving the attendees with some food and refreshments.

Following pictures are taken by Dariush Jamasb from this ceremony.

Zoroastrian Society of British Columbia (ZSBC) youth committee election was held as scheduled on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at Arbab Rostam Guiv Dare Mehr in city of Burnbay, Canada.

After the election, following youth members were elected as the youth committee officers:

- Bahman Sotoodian (President)
- Shahriar Khosraviani (Secretary)
- Shahin Shaeidaei (Treasurer)

Candidates of youth committee seeking positions on the board need to be ZSBC members and 19 to 31 years of age.

Kourosh Aryana-Norway: For the second time a group initiation ceremony was held in Moscow, Russia on 14th of December 2008.  New behdins from Iran and Russia (native Russians) attended the ceremony to join Zoroastrian Religion. The ceremony was performed by an Iranian Mobed.

Bozorg Bazgasht Anjuman and Zoroastrian Association of Norway in cooperation with Zoroastrians of Moscow organized a spiritual program for a group initiation ceremony and Zoroastrian marriage ceremonies (GAVAH-GIRAN) for two couples of new Russian Behdins in Moscow.

On 15th of December a religious dialogue was also organized by University of Moscow.  First Mobed gave a lecture about Gathas in the Department of Philosophy and Religion. His speech was translated from Persian to Russian by Professor Vladimir. B. Ivanov who is head of the department at University of Moscow.  On 16th of December another meeting was held at the department of Iranian Studies in University of Moscow.
Bozorg Bazgasht Anjuman would like to thank Mr. Farrokh in Moscow for offering his helps to the anjuman and the new behdins in moscow.