The mission of FEZANA’s Advocacy Committee is to work to inform, articulate and advance awareness and causes that positively impact Zoroastrians residing in the North American diaspora. The Advocacy Committee is composed of next generation leaders whose aim is to conduct meaningful outreach and dialogue with local, state and federally elected officials in the United States and Canada. In that spirit, we are proud to announce two very special days of engagement and interfaith dialogue in the great state of Texas: Zoroastrian Days at the iconic State Capitol in Austin on Wednesday, March 5, and at Rice University in Houston, on Thursday, March 6.

Zoroastrian Day: Texas Capitol Building, Austin

Historic Supreme Court Room # 3N.3F

9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

RSVP Necessary: Please RSVP using the link below. Further details shall be shared with you after you register.

On this day, the Zoroastrian community has been invited to visit the State Capitol of Texas, hosted by Representative Salman Bhojani (TX HD-92). This event provides an opportunity for the community to engage with elected leaders in the Texas State government and to highlight the significant contributions of Zoroastrians who have been thriving in Texas for more than fifty years. The day will feature a special Zoroastrian Day Resolution read on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives by Rep. Bhojani. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet their elected leaders from the Texas State Legislature, tour the Capitol and take a group photo. The event will also include remarks from FEZANA President and Houston resident, Erv. Kayo Sidhwa, as well as select members of FEZANA’s Advocacy Committee. The goal of these interactions is to enhance awareness of the powerful Zoroastrian community and explore collaborative opportunities to advance shared interests.

Zoroastrian Day: Rice University

The Quad

Thursday, March 6, 2025

10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We are thrilled to bring Zoroastrian Day to Rice University in Houston. We welcome administration and faculty members, students from Rice University, FEZANA and local Zoroastrian Association of Houston leadership, and special guest Miguel Ángel Andrés-Toledo, the first FEZANA Professor of Zoroastrian Languages & Literatures at the University of Toronto, for a fireside chat. The event will spotlight Zoroastrian leaders and initiatives based in Texas, Zoroastrian culinary dishes, and small businesses, and will feature a special screening of the movie “Persepolis Recreated”

Interested in joining us for either or both events?

• RSVP today, using this form indicating which event you’d like to attend.
• Reach out to advocacy@fezana.org with any questions

About Zoroastrians

Zoroastrians are followers of one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions founded by the prophet Zarathushtra more than 3,000 years ago in ancient Iran. Zoroastrians have long served as bridge builders in interfaith dialogue, believing in truth, righteousness, charity, beneficence, respect and care for the environment, and the triumph of good over evil. Zoroastrianism flourished as the imperial religion of three Persian empires, those of the Achaemenians, Parthians and Sassanians, and was the dominant religion from Turkey and eastward to China during those times. North America’s Zoroastrian community includes those who arrived from the Indian subcontinent, known as Parsis, and those who came directly from Iran seeking religious freedom.

About Zoroastrian Association of Houston

The Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) was established in 1976 to promote the religious, social, and cultural aspects of the Zoroastrian faith. ZAH is fortunate to have local Mobeds (priests) who conduct religious services, ceremonies, and rituals; numerous individuals who serve on its executive boards and committees (e.g., youth, sports, Sunday school, religious services, outreach, Golden Group, and Library) provide leadership and vision to a growing community; and countless active members who, through their participation, initiative, and hard work, are committed to building a strong community. In 2019, ZAH was the first Zoroastrian association in North America to erect a 24-hour wood-burning fire Atash Kadeh, a revered, all-inclusive place of worship for Zoroastrians, their family members, and friends.

About Zoroastrian Association of North Texas

The Zoroastrian Association of North Texas (ZANT) is a non-profit organization established in 1989 to nurture, advance, and promote the religious, social and cultural aspects of Zoroastrian faith.  Since its inception, ZANT has endeavored to serve Zoroastrian families in the Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex and other surrounding areas of North Texas. Over the years the Zoroastrian (Zarthushti) community in the North Texas area has experienced much growth. They are maturing as a community, developing deeper roots, and building stronger ties with fellow Zoroastrians in North America. We have new Zoroastrian families moving into our area on a regular basis and we also have families that have lived here for over three decades. This provides the richness of diversity with a good balance of stability and strength. In 2011, ZANT established the ZANT Center in Flower Mound, TX, a place where the community can gather for social and religious activities.

About FEZANA

Founded in 1987, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) represents a diverse and growing Zarathushti community in the western diaspora. Guided by the blessings of Ahura Mazda and the teachings of prophet Zarathushtra, the non-profit federation serves as the coordinating body for 27 Zoroastrian associations and 14 corresponding groups in Canada and the United States. The activities of FEZANA are conducted in a spirit of mutual respect, cooperation and unity among all member associations, and with due regard for the Zarathushti principles of goodness, truth, reason, benevolence, implicit trust and charity toward all mankind. Visit www.fezana.org and follow FEZANA on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook @TheFEZANA, and on LinkedIn.

Select reading recommendations

1.     “Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices” by Mary Boyce

This foundational text provides a detailed overview of Zoroastrian beliefs, practices, and historical developments. Mary Boyce, a renowned scholar in Zoroastrian studies, traces the influence of Zoroastrian ideas on neighboring religions, including Judaism and Christianity, particularly concepts of monotheism, dualism, and eschatology.

2.     “The Spirit of Zoroastrianism” by Prods Oktor Skjærvø

Skjærvø offers a comprehensive yet accessible collection of Zoroastrian texts, including the Gathas and later texts. He explains Zoroastrian doctrines and their development over time, paying attention to the religion’s influence on and interactions with the monotheistic beliefs in the Near East.

3.     “Zoroastrian Tradition” by Farhang Mehr

This book provides a concise introduction to the teachings of Zarathustra and the history of Zoroastrianism. Mehr examines commonalities and distinctions between Zoroastrianism and other major world religions, making it ideal for those new to the subject.

4.     “Zoroastrianism: An Introduction” by Jenny Rose

Rose explores Zoroastrian doctrines, practices, and historical shifts in the context of its influence on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Her work is particularly useful for readers interested in the exchanges and shared ideas between Zoroastrians and their Abrahamic contemporaries.