The Parliament of World’s Religions returns to the United States after a period of 24 years. Salt Lake City in Utah shall host attendees and delegates from all over the world for a five day event that will bring thought leaders from all the religions of the world to discuss, interact and learn about other religions and find common ground for building better understanding at all levels. FEZANA is proud to be a participant in this dialogue representing the Zoroastrian community.

Parliament of the World’s Religions

Salt Lake City

October 15-19

http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/

The Parliament centers around three critical issues:

• Climate Change and Care for Creation
• War, Violence and Hate Speech
• The Widening Wealth Gap and Wasteful Consumption

The Parliament will focus on three constituencies:

• Women
• Indigenous Communities
• Youth

Registrants can participate in various types of events:

• Observances
• Engaging Panel Discussions
• Intra-religious programs
• Interreligious and inter-spiritual programs
• Training workshops
• Cultural expressions and spiritual arts

FEZANA Participants

• Roya Arzakeyvan
• Jehan Bagli
• Maneck Bhujwala
• Dolly Dastoor
• Homi Gandhi
• Khosro Mehrfar
• Roya Mehrfar
• Firdosh Mehta
• Shernaz Minwalla
• Mahrukh Motafram
• Ariyan Parvaresh
• Behram Pastakia
• Rayomand Ravji
• Rohinton Rivetna
• Roshan Rivetna
• Sam Vesuna
• Arzan Sam Wadia
• Kobad Zarolia

FEZANA Panels and Demonstrations

October 16, 7-8 am                       Ballroom A                   Demonstration of Jashan Ceremony

October 16, 12:15-1:45 pm           Room 155A                  Relationship with the Divine

October 16, 2:00-3:30 pm             Room 250 C                 Stewardship of the Environment

October 17, 10:00-11:30 am         Room 155F                   Interfaith Model

October 18, 10:00-11:30 am         Room 255 D                 Petition for UN

Demonstration of a Zoroastrian Thanksgiving ritual – The Jashan ceremony

Panelists: Jehan Bagli, Maneck Bhujwala, Rayomand Ravji

There are many things to be thankful about. Zoroastrians consider themselves to be the co-workers of Ahura Mazda and are enjoined to move His creation to a blissful state that they call Frasho Kereti. They invoke the Divine often in all that they do “Khosnothra Ahura Mazda,” ask for His guidance and wisdom and remain grateful for His providence. Zoroastrian priests will give a short demonstration of this Jashan ceremony (Thanksgiving ceremony) and provide a brief explanation. This presentation will give you an insight into the Zoroastrian faith and why Zoroastrians consider themselves to be stewards of creation.

Relationship with the divine as manifested by various Faiths – A panel discussion

Panelists: Ervad Jehan Bagli (moderator and presenter), Rabbi Michael Balinsky, Bibi Jasbir Kaur, Dr. Susan Kopp

While the worship of the Divine is a common thread that weaves through the mosaic of all faiths, the relationship of an individual with the Divine differs from Faith to Faith. This presentation will attempt to bring clarity to the relationships with the Divine as manifested by various faiths preferably by faith practitioners and seek to find that common thread of spirituality that binds us. Faith practitioner from various faiths will be invited to write a paper, approximately 1500 words with a short summary. The summaries will be presented followed by questions and answers. Electronic submission of the papers to admin@fezana.org shall be compiled into a booklet, courtesy of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America and be made available to Interfaith groups as a legacy of the Parliament.

Stewardship of the Environment

Panelists: Maneck Bhujwala, Jehan Bugli, Homi Gandhi, Dr. Rajwant Singh, Dr. Khosro Mehrfar (moderator and presenter)

Zoroastrians strongly assert that Creation is sacred for it is the making of the Divine. The initial declaration of the Principle of Global Ethics confirmed by the Parliament of World Religion 1993 reiterates this notion, when it says, ‘Our Earth is experiencing fundamental crisis in global economy, global ecology and global politics…..Our planet continues to be ruthlessly plundered. A collapse of the ecosystem threatens us’. By Zoroastrian theology humanity is a coworker with the Divine and the steward of the creation. It is the duty and the responsibility of mankind to preserve, and protect the environment. We cannot change the earth for the better, unless we can influence a change in the consciousness of the individuals. The question is how do we spread this notion through the Faith communities that it is a part of their function to bring this idea to their congregation? It is a process of education of the human race. We shall invite faith groups to participate and contribute to this Global issue that demands a critical balance of risk and sacrifice through positive thinking.

The Interfaith Model – does it need tweaking? – A panel discussion

Panelists: Jehan Bagli, Maneck Bhujwala, Professor Tarunjit Butalia, Shernaz Minwalla, Michael Terrien, Rohinton Rivetna (moderator)

It is said that there will be no peace in this world until there is peace between the religions; and peace between the religions can only come from dialogue between the religions. The Interfaith model given to us by the first Parliament of World’s Religions (1893) is to do just that – dialogue with each other of different faiths in order that it brings understanding of each other and to highlight commonalities. It is hoped that understanding breeds respect for the other and generates a peaceful existence. The world as we know it is in travail. Those of us engaged in Interfaith work constitute a community. This community has albeit expanded as more and more interfaith groups spring up all over the globe. However its spread has been limited. A majority of people of faith appear generally to have been untouched by the spirituality vested in Interfaith activity. The question is how do we disseminate this Vision and bring it to the mainstream. People of faith will be invited to comment. The proceedings will be collected admin@fezana.org and presented to the CPWR as a legacy of the Parliament, courtesy of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA).

A Petition for the establishment of a Religious Arm of the United Nations – A Panel discussion

Panelists: Homi Gandhi, Dr. Harbans Lal, Dr. Khosro Mehrfar, Rohinton Rivetna, Dr. Satpal Singh

The Mission of the United Nations (UN) is to generate world peace yet the world is in travail. The UN is a secular body while a majority of the conflicts around the world have a religious undertone. There are many who feel that the UN Charter ought to be modified to permit a permanent Council of Religious Leaders who may speak out with one voice. After all, no religion promotes violence. To that end this presentation will invite people of faith to speak in favor and or against this proposition. A petition signed by delegates attending the Parliament in favor of this proposition will be presented to the Secretary General of the UN with a draft Charter for consideration following the Parliament, courtesy of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America and any other body that wishes to join.

Exhibit Booth

We will bring several poster boards, books for sale, pamphlets for distribution, statues.