Zoroastrians Moving Forward on 9/11:
“From Different Walks, We Serve as One”
Washington, D.C., September 7, 2011 – The teachings of Zoroastrianism, the world’s first monotheistic religion, are still relevant in our world today. Throughout their long history, Zoroastrians have displayed that they are a community dedicated to serving humanity through unity, good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. “Hamma Zor”, “May we be united”. On September 11th, our nation will pay tribute to those lost in the largest tragedy on American soil. The destructive images of September 11, 2001 and the loss of our brave Fire Fighters and Rescue Workers, remind us of the “Amesha Spentas” (the Bountiful Immortals) and the "Yazatas” (the Guardian Angels), through whom the works of God are evident to humanity. The weeks leading to the 10th Anniversary of September 11th, individuals are uniting the same way they did a decade ago.
On Sunday, September 11th, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Washington Hebrew Congregation, hundreds will gather to honor the brave during the “9/11 Unity Walk”. The Welcoming Ceremony and Program will begin at 1:30 p.m. and the 9/11 Unity Walk, will commence at 2:00 p.m. Registration starts at the Hebrew Congregation, the Walk will proceed down Embassy Row, with option “Open House” stops enroute at the worship houses of many faiths located on Massachusetts Avenue. There will be a brief program at the Islamic Center of Washington, DC concluding with a ceremony at the Gandhi Memorial.
Participants of the walk will be building bridges of respect for the world to model after. Walkers will listen to moving speeches from international figures like Arun Gandhi, NPR’s Interfaith Voices host Maureen Fiedler, and award winning author Karen Armstrong. The Unity Walk has broadened its impact by establishing year-round youth led services projects through the Interfaith Youth Action Group (IYAG). For more information on IYAG, please contact Kyle Poole (202) 262-2181 – Kyle@911unitywalk.org. For Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s inspirational vision for humanity and the citizens of the world, please click here, Archbishop Desmond Tutu on 9/11 Unity Walk
The Federation of Zoroastrian Association of North America (FEZANA) will participate in the walk with supporters.
About FEZANA: FEZANA, the umbrella organization for North American Zoroastrian association, has been a registered non-profit, religious, and charitable organization since 1987. It is dedicated to the task of promoting the study, and understanding and practice of the Zoroastrian faith and the welfare of its followers. It also coordinates programs promoting public awareness of Zoroastrianism. FEZANA, as an NGO (non-governmental organization), maintains consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
Zoroastrianism: Zoroastrianism (also known as the Zarathushti religion or Zarathushtruanism) is acknowledged as one of the world’s oldest surviving monotheistic religions. Once the state religion of the ancient Persian empires (including modern-day Iran), Zoroastrianism embraces the worship of one God (Ahura Mazda) and is based on the revelations and teaching of the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra) (circa 1400 B.C.E). The Zoroastrian faith calls upon its followers to pursue an ethical life through a three-fold path of “Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds” In the past half-century, Zoroastrians have emigrated around the world, but the largest concentrations of Zoroastrians remain in India, where they are known as the Parsis, and in Iran.
Contact: Zeeba S. Kayani, +1-281-610-6593, Zeeba.Kayani@gmail.com
FEZANA: www.fezana.org
