The Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America condemns the latest act of mass murder committed for murky political reasons, though no reason can justify such cruel acts.
Again, innocent people were targeted at random, this time in Brussels, Belgium. The outrage there, it must be noted, has come quickly on the heels of similar attacks on ordinary people going about their daily lives in Turkey, the Ivory Coast and Tunisia.
The scenario, unfortunately, is a familiar one by now: The heinous violence is followed by cries of outrage and of solidarity with the victims. We certainly join in expressing both, our revulsion at the human toll and our determination to stand with those victimized.
We believe it will take a concerted and sustained response by governments and other institutions, supported by the resilience and solidarity of people of all faiths, to tame this 21st Century scourge. We trust that authorities in our North American home and elsewhere are doing everything they can within the law.
What we don’t endorse are the frustrated cries from some quarters to “Do Something” that amount to lashing out blindly and throwing a mantle of guilt over entire communities for the acts of a few.
The solution certainly is not to respond to lawlessness with more lawlessness. Then the disease of terrorism can truly be said to have metastasized.
As Zoroastrians, we practice an ancient faith founded on principles of righteousness, beneficence, and mutual respect. Our voices are always raised against nihilism and injustice.
Katayun Kersi Kapadia
FEZANA – President
About FEZANA
Founded in 1987, FEZANA serves as the coordinating body for 26 Zoroastrian associations throughout the United States and Canada. FEZANA promotes the study, understanding and practice of the Zoroastrian faith in North America., represents the interests of its member associations, and carries out philanthropic and charitable activities worldwide. The FEZANA Journal, FEZANA’s publication of record, circulates to Zoroastrian households in more than 22 countries, as well as to scholars, academicians and religious organizations worldwide. For more information visit: www.fezana.org.
