Category Archives: Parliament of Worlds Religions

Zoroastrians Ready for Engagement, Collaboration at 9th Parliament of the World’s Religions this Week in Chicago

Embracing the theme: A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights, FEZANA, alongside leaders and volunteers from the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAMC), will participate in parades, events and sessions taking place Aug. 13 – 18, at McCormick Place Lakeside Center

https://fezana.org/powr - 1

Burr Ridge, Ill., Aug. 12, 2023 – FEZANA, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, will rally Zoroastrians from across greater Chicago and North America to participate in the 9th Parliament of World’s Religions (PoWR): A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights, taking place Aug. 13 – 18, at McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago.

Representing the Zoroastrian contingent are luminary speakers, including: Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, Dr. Sousan Abadian, Dr. Niaz Kasravi, Dr. Rashna Writer, Prof. Jamsheed Choksey, Parisa Khosravi, and leading Zoroastrian educators, scholars, community leaders and next generation influencers.

To access the complete lineup of Zoroastrian speakers at the PoWR, visit https://fezana.org/powr/.

“FEZANA is proud to have over two dozen programs represented at the Parliament, including several interfaith panels,” said FEZANA PoWR Committee Co-Chair Bakhtavar Desai. “We are pleased to showcase an outstanding roster of panelists, speakers and moderators on the following tracks: freedom & human rights, global ethics, climate change, women’s rights, youth and the next generation, and music and dance. We also look forward to expanding awareness for FEZANA, the Zoroastrian faith and our cultural heritage through our exhibit booth, a Faith Room and a booth PoWR Kids section.” 

The 9th PoWR will officially convene Sunday, Aug. 13, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., with the official PoWR Parade of Faiths. A traditional pre-Parliament celebration, the Parade of Faiths will celebrate Chicago’s rich diversity and features music dance and participation by more than 60 local and North American Zoroastrians.

Desai said FEZANA also will showcase three exhibits in the PoWR’s Special Exhibits area: the acclaimed Cyrus Cylinder, the Swastika Symbol (dispelling the negative myth for this revered Hindu symbol meaning good fortune or well-being in Sanskrit), and a collage in the shape of a Fravashi that will be filled with messages on Human Rights sent by Zoroastrians from all over the world.

“I want to personally thank FEZANA Interfaith Committee co-chairs, Bakhtavar Desai and Homi Gandhi, and local leadership led by ZAMC President Jamshed Rivetna, and the many volunteers of all ages who will impact the Zoroastrian presence at the PoWR,” said FEZANA President Arzan Sam Wadia. “Every four years, the Zoroastrian faith shines brightly at the PoWR thanks to the hard work of our leadership teams and respected speakers who showcase the beauty and majesty of our storied religion. As a faith we are also extremely privileged to have two of our own as Trustees of the PoWR. Mahrukh Motafram and Dolly Dastoor continue to lead the way and open up possibilities and opportunities for us to showcase our faith at the PoWR. We look forward to participating and joining arms with our fellow co-religionists for what promises to be a memorable and impactful week of interfaith dialogue and collaboration.”

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 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, Twitter and Facebook @TheFEZANA.

###

Media contact: Jim Engineer | FEZANA Communications | <pr> at <fezana> dot <org>

POWR 2023 Schedule

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS at the 2023 PoWR This Schedule is in Chicago time (CDT) Sunday 13th AUG 8:00 ONWARDS SETTING UP OF OUR FAITH ROOM, BOOTHS, AND EXHIBITS At the McCormick Place Lakeside Center 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM PARADE OF FAITHShttps://parliamentofreligions.org/parliament/2023-chicago/the-parade-of-faiths/ All info about the Parade lineup, map, parking pass, etc is… Continue Reading

News from FEZANA Interfaith Activities Committee – May 2021

Sharing Blessings at Iftar in California to Sacred Connection Event in Ohio to PWR Preparations The FEZANA Interfaith Activities Committee reports on current interfaith events with Zoroastrian participation below: Zoroastrian Association of California: A diverse group of spiritual, cultural, and political leaders from around the world came together to celebrate Iftar, organized by American Muslim… Continue Reading

Interfaith outpouring of Sympathies to Pittsburg Tree of Life Congregation

At the Zoroastrian booth (Children’s Patch) of the Parliament of World Religions hosted in November ‘18, we invited visitors to write a note to the Pittsburg Tree of Life Congregation, who tragically lost eleven loving lives to a racist shooter on October 29.  Article by Nawaz Merchant At the Zoroastrian booth (Children’s Patch) of the… Continue Reading

FEZANA’s Participation at the 2018 Parliament of World’s Religions

FEZANA, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, today announced a contingent of North American Zoroastrian religious and community leaders will represent the faith at the 7th Parliament of the World’s Religions, Nov. 1-7, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Zoroastrians have been represented at all Parliament events, including the inaugural in 1893, where a paper by Sir J.J. Modi was read aloud in absentia. Continue Reading

Press Room

FEZANA represents a diverse and growing Zarathushti community in North America.

Guided by the blessings of AHURA MAZDA and the teachings of our Prophet Zarathushtra; the Federation was founded in 1987 It serves as the coordinating body for 26 Zoroastrian Associations and 14 Corresponding Groups in the United States and Canada.

The activities of FEZANA are conducted in a spirit of mutual respect, co-operation and unity amongst all Member associations, and with due regard for the principles of GOODNESS, TRUTH, REASON, BENEVOLENCE, IMPLICIT TRUST and CHARITY towards all Mankind.

:+: Baname Khoda Kshnothro Ahura Mazda