On Thursday, February 21, 2019, at the invitation of the Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ervad Zarrir Bhandara, representing the Zoroastrian faith, accompanied by Xerxes Commissariat, representing FEZANA, attended an Interfaith Memorial Commemoration in Remembrance, Peace and Reconciliation of the Khojaly Tragedy. The event was well attended by over 300 distinguished guests at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles. 

The evening featured  Interfaith leaders including the Bishop Menezes of the Christian faith and Ervad Bhandara representing the Zoroastrian faith, praying together at this unique event for world peace and commemorating Khojaly Tragedy. [Khojaly was a town in Azerbaijan which was attacked on Feb. 25-26, 1992 and its civilian population subjected to a massacre as they tried to evacuate the town.  Over 600 people were murdered, which the Human Rights Watch called the “largest massacre in the [Karabakh] conflict.”]

The focus of the multi-faith meeting was on remembrance, peace and reconciliation. Nasimi Aghayev, Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, pointed out that in Azerbaijan diverse religions live together peacefully. The prayer meeting  was followed by the Azerbaijani musical performance featuring the world-famous Azerbaijani musician, Master of Kamancha, Stanford University’s Music Teacher Imamyar Hasanov, who performed Azerbaijani music, accompanied by internationally acclaimed pianist and composer, Cem Oslu.

The evening was concluded with a dinner of Azerbaijani and Turkish food.