Date: Thu, Feb 28, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Subject: A Lesson for ARZ and AIMZ - says Mumbai Samachar
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>
PLEASE SHARE THIS IMPORTANT PRESS RELEASE OF AN HISTORIC EVENT IN OUR
COMMUNITY WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AND ALL THOSE ZARATHUSHTIS
WHO CARE FOR OUR RELIGION
HUMATA HUKHTA HAVARASHTA
28 Feb 2008
Dear Zarathushti humdins,
cc: Vada Dasturjis,
cc: Ervad Sahebs,
cc: The Parsee Voice,
cc: Zoroastrian Studies,
cc: Parsi Pukar,
cc: Dini-Awaz,
cc: Prominent Zoroastrians,
cc: TZML
cc: TMYZ officials
The Vada Dasturji public meeting of 15th February 2008 was a huge
success. Not only large number of concerned Zarathushtis attended to
give support, but also the result was a final clarification in
people's thinking that "Acceptance / Conversion" is not part of the
Zoroastrian religion.
And how could it ever be if it went against Ahura Mazda's own plan of
creating different religions for different people.
We hope that has opened the eyes of ARZ and AIMZ, who thought by
roping in a controversial priest from USA, Kersey Antia, they would
persuade people to accept "conversion', though it was to try and find
a manner to make non-Zoroastrian spouses and children acceptable to
the community.
Fortunately by Ahura Mazda's grace, the community responded well to
this threat and kept the danger at bay.
We were not happy that Jame, which being a community newspaper, and
supposedly a traditional one, did not feature this mammoth event in an
objective manner. If they are an unbiased newspaper, then it is their
duty to inform community members of such an important event as this
and quote what was spoken by the Vada Dasturjis, Ervad Sahebs and
scholars gathered there.
The Mumbai Samachar was forthright in covering the event and we
reproduce their report here for you all.
Do circulate this report to concerned friends, relatives and all other
Zarathushtis who can thereby get accurate and correct information on
why exactly "Acceptance/Conversion" is banned in the Zarathushti
religion.
The 'conversion' mentioned in our Gathas only refer to conversion of
one's bad vices and mentality to Good Virtues and Good Mentality. It
has never been interpreted as actual changing of one's religion,
unless of course, such falsehood is propagated by the likes of Ali
Jafarey and his supporters. The Jafarey cult has been trying to spread
this nonsense through the Zoroastrian community in India by their
related group called "Spenta University" based in Pune.
Dear Zarathushtis, please stay away from such groups and the ones like
ARZ, AIMZ who will only bring our dear community's ruin and disaster.
With best wishes to you all and your families,
TZML Admins
(encl the Mumbai Samachar report)
A LESSON FOR ARZ AND AIMZ
from Mumbai Samachar
24 Feb 2008
On 15th February 2008, a Public Meeting of Parsi and Irani
Zarathushtis was held at the Framji Cavasji Institute, Dhobi Talao,
Mumbai. It was under the auspices of all the Head Priests, scholar
priests, Dastoors, Mobeds and all other faithful Parsi and Irani
Zarathushtis of India. Its aim was to condemn and record a strong
protest against the irreligious and dangerous activities of the
Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism (ARZ) and the Association of
Intermarried Zoroastrians (AIMZ) and also against the speech delivered
under their auspices by one Shri Kersey Antia of U.S.A. on 2nd
February 2008 at Y.B. Chavan Auditorium, Mumbai, on the subject
"Acceptance".
The Meeting was chaired by Dastoorji Peshotan Hormazdyar Mirza, the
Head Priest of Udwada, the abode of Pak Iranshah, the Holy Fire (Agni,
Atash) established and consecrated more than a thousand years back.
Besides Dastoorji Mirza, Dastoorji Cyrus Dastoor from Surat, scholar
priests Ramyar Karanjia, Rooyintan Peer, Pervez Bajan, K.N. Dastoor
and Pervin Mistry and Adi Doctor from the Organizers were on the
stage. Quite a number of Mobeds (priests) were in the audience. On a
conservative estimate, nine hundred Parsis were present, including
several standees.
Messages from five other High Priests were read before the Meeting
during the proceedings. Each of them condemned in writing the
activities of the aforesaid Associations and wished the Meeting a
grand success (which it really turned out to be).
Dastoorji Peshotan Mirza traced the history of the Conversion Movement
during the last century. He referred to one Ali Akbar Jaffery and
wondered under what religious law he became a so-called Zoroastrian
which was an insult as also a mockery of Religion. He also referred to
the Mazdayasni Religion of one God which had begun in the time of
Gayomard. He also referred to Cyrus the Great who built the temples of
the great Jewish religion.
Dastoorji Cyrus of Surat quoted Gatha Ha 31:11 and 34:14 wherein it is
declared that all the Religions are in accordance with the Divine Plan
of Ahura Mazda. What was required was not the increase in population
but an increase in Faith.
Ervad Ramyar Karanjia traced the history of how the movement of
Conversion was strongly opposed by the community from time to time,
from the first decade of the last century. Ervad Pervez Bajan referred
to Maneckjee Dhalla, the late Dastoor of Karachi, and the failure of
his attempts to encourage conversion. Ervad Rooyintan Peer gave
historical and cultural references against conversion. A Resolution
was passed placed before the Meeting condemning the activities of
conversion and Shri Antias speech of 2nd February 2008. When put to
vote the Resolution was carried almost unanimously. There was a
hesitant dissent from about half a dozen persons. No questions or
opposition came forth.
Ervad K.N. Dastoor summed up the proceedings in the last speech. The
word "Acceptance" was a polite form of conversion. According to Mr.
Antia acceptance meant "conversion by persuasion". It was obvious that
such persuasion would require blasphemy of other Religions which was a
dangerous proposition to advance by the Parsis of India. Ervad Dastoor
said that the word "Daenao" in Gatha 31:11, 33:13, 34:13, 46:6, 49:9
convey clearly that all the Religions are according to the Divine Plan
of Ahura Mazda and conversion was inconsistent therewith. Mr. Antias
quotes were like Satan quoting the Bible. Ervad Dastoor referred to
Sheth Cowasji Dinshah Adenwalla who had helped his workers at Kandla
to build a temple on his land, and place therein an ancient Shiv-ling
found buried there. This showed the love and admiration the Parsis
have for all Religions. Mrs. Pervin Mistry of Canada and Mr. Adi
Doctor, Editor, Parsee Voice, very ably compered the Meeting. The idea
of the Meeting was conceived and developed by Mrs. Pervin Mistry and
WAPIZ helped her in several ways; the success of the Meeting was a
result of their efforts, which will surely be a lesson to ARZ and
AIMZ.
[A Press Release by the organisers]
(end)
PLEASE SHARE THIS IMPORTANT PRESS RELEASE OF AN HISTORIC EVENT IN OUR
COMMUNITY WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AND ALL THOSE ZARATHUSHTIS
WHO CARE FOR OUR RELIGION
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