ONE NATION: INDIVISIBLE: ZARATHUSHTI NATION:

We all have been witness to a mammoth tragedy in New York on September 11. You have seen every moving image on television. You have read many articles. One thing is absolutely certain in my mind, that you have resolved to stand united, and support without any reservations, leaders of the free world in their efforts to preserve and protect Freedom (including religious freedom).

The September 11th incident has transformed our nation into a unified nation. The most glaring and lasting image is the way partisan politics of Washington has come together. I was awestruck when President Bush after his historic State of the Union message hugged and embraced the Senate Majority leader, Tom Daschle for more than a minute and also the President’s gesture when he patted Senior Senator Chuck Schumer on both cheeks. The Governor and the Mayor were inseparable twins since 11th. These were the genuine and heartfelt acts of unity and solidarity.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM AMERICAN UNITY

There are lessons to be learnt by the Zarathushti community from this unprecedented event in American history. The only way we, the Zarathushtis, can survive is by unity, harmony and solidarity. Zarathushtra preached only one gospel. His message was universal. His message espoused that all men and women have the freedom to choose between good and evil, and the responsibility to make the selection is that of an individual. Zarathushtra’s wish for the ideal world is seen in the Zamyad Yasht paragraph 96 which states:

• "The ideal world will come into existence when evil thought will be overcome by good thought. False utterance will be overcome by the voice of straight utterance, and Evil become powerless and Truth will triumph”.

The Heritage of Zarathushtra and Zamyad Yast: Humbach and Ichaporia

We should become “One Zarathushti Community, Indivisible” from now on.

WHAT LESSONS YOU HAVE LEARNED SINCE 11th SEPTEMBER:

Zarathushtis migrated to United Kingdom as early as 1850s. Still the fellow Zarathushtis have kept the flame alive even after one hundred fifty years. The community has flourished and matured to have expanded facility place of worship. The fear of the Zarathushti community disappearing has, Ahura Mazda willing, not proved right. The religion that has survived for thirty-five centuries will survive as long as Ahura Mazda has wished.

One lesson the September 11 incident has thought us is this:

“Our Strength lies in our being a unified and cohesive community”.

What is your opinion? What have you learnt? What has our Zarathushti community learnt from this experience? Please share your thoughts and suggestions with us by communicating them to us in 150 / 200 words. We will publish them at an appropriate time. Please ask the youth of your association to do so as well. Their unique perspective on this matter needs to be known too.

MARKER FAMILY: TRAGIC ACCIDENT:

On August 2001, Feroza Marker, her Father, former Ambassador of Pakistan to United States, Jamsheed Marker and his wife Arnaz, were in a serious car accident, while traveling in a taxi, in upstate New York. Unfortunately, Feroza, a member of ZAGNY, succumbed to her injuries from the accident on September 4th, 2001

Feroza Marker was an Occupational Therapist and worked with United Cerebral Palsy and at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Feroza obtained her Master’s Degree from New York University in Occupational Therapy.

Firoza lived life with a vibrant passion: her love for life for people from all walks of life was a true testimony to the warmth of her nature, the kindness of her heart and genuineness of her personality. She was extremely generous, almost to a fault, extremely thoughtful and truly righteous Zarathushti. In her short span of 50 years, she leaves behind a huge void in the hearts of her father, Jamshed Marker, his wife Arnaz and, her elder sister Nilofer and above all for her centenarian grandmother Meherbanoo Marker. Jamsheed Marker, is recovering from surgery on his left hip, together with his wife Arnaz at their home in Florida. Our prayers are with him

WORKING GROUP REPORT:

The Working Group is working on the final stages of the Report for the World Body assignment. The group leader Khorshed Jungalwala has indicated that the Report will be submitted in the coming few weeks. The Report, when available, will be sent to you for your review and approval. Please be assured that enough time will be given to deliberate.

A LOOK AT FEZANA FINANCES:

FEZANA funds continued their growth during the first half of 2001. Even though 2000 was not a very good year for investments, FEZANA’s total assets are now nearing the $350,000 mark. FEZANA operating funds, which supports and finances most of our activities such as the Journal, Youth activities, sports etc., have grown from $81,000 in 1999 to over $131,000 in the first half of the year. We have reached our goal of $100,000 for the year 2001 for the Scholarship Fund, and the Welfare Fund is certainly not behind. We are happy to report that we are beginning to receive good support towards the Religious Education Fund.

The budget for 2001, approved at the AGM in Westminster, CA, is for $95,000 in expenses against the expected revenue of about $195,000. Revenues (including donations) during the first half of 2001 have been just over $110,000.

During September 2001 the following contributions were made from Welfare Fund:
• $1,000 to Raj Kumar College, Gujarat: Earthquake Damage repair,
• $3,060 for Critical Medical Assistance, and Udwada Pilgrim Center Project,
• $1,1457 Gram Seva Trust, Child & Education Centers, in Gujarat.

8TH ZARATHUSHTI GAMES – LOS ANGELES:

8th Zarathushti Games in Los Angeles will be held in July 3 to July 7, 2002. Many young Zarathushtis have shown concern regarding the Fourth of July events of 2002 being on the same date (The 12th North American Zoroastrian Congress in Chicago and The 8th Zarathushti Games in Los Angeles). The fourth of July weeks of even years (2000, 2002 etc.) were reserved for Zoroastrian Sports Committee (ZSC) by the 1994 FEZANA administrators.

Due to a misunderstanding, I did not advise Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAMC), sufficiently in advance, that there was a conflict. This programming conflict became apparent when ZSC and ZAMC started planning for their respective events.

An effort was made at the Annual General Meeting (May 2001) in Los Angeles, California by ZSC to resolve the issue. At this meeting although concerned ZSC agreed to share its spot with Chicago. This issue was resolved primarily due to both, Miss Artimis Javanshir, the dynamic and diplomatic leader of ZSC and Hosi Mehta, the foresighted and responsive president of ZAC, taking conciliatory position.

It was my mistake that I did not communicate in time, and I take full responsibility.

To avoid such miscommunications in the future, I have publicly (in FEZANA’s June Newsletter) committed the Fourth of July weekend of 2004 for ZSC. And will strongly recommend to the successor administrators that the Fourth of July weekend of even years hereafter (2006, 2008, etc) be reserved exclusively for ZSC.

CONGRESS TAPES:

WZC2000 tapes are now available. A set of five tapes costs $50.00. Individual tapes can be obtained for $15.00 each.Tape1: Opening and Closing Ceremonies: Tape 2: Entertainment. Dinners and Sports: Tape 3: December 29th Session; Tape 4: December 30th Session: Tape 5 December 31 Sessions. You can CLICK HERE for the order form.

MATHRAWANI OF MIKE MANSFIELD:

During the past week a great American statesman died. Mike Mansfield who along with the late president Lyndon B. Johnson was instrumental in the 1960’s and 1970’s in the enactment of legislation on civil rights, health, education, antipoverty and foreign policy. A few days after his 95th birthday, in March 1998, Mr. Mansfield expressed in an interview his philosophy of moderation and accommodations, which characterized his career as a diplomat, politician and envoy.

“Differences can be bridged, solutions can be found, concessions can be made,” he said.” “ It’s much better to take an inch than to take nothing at all. I don’t believe that winning is everything, though it’s very desirable. I don’t think there is anything wrong in losing if you do it the right way.” “ I have always felt, he said, “that the true strength of the Senate lay in the center, not on the right and not on the left, but with those people who could see both sides and were not so convicted of their own assumptions that they wouldn’t listen to the other side.” He was remarkable taciturn, his statements often limited to “Yep”, “Nope”, “Maybe” or “Can’t say.”

There is a lesson to be learned from Mike Mansfield’s words of wisdom.