Dear Zarathushtis and Friends,
During my
recent whirlwind trip to the “big & beautiful” City of Houston,
Texas, I once again had the opportunity to experience the warm and
loving hospitality, the respect and kindness offered and the
culinary and intellectual delights that were food for the body and
soul, not to mention the “Puckka Parsi Humour” that made me feel
right at home among so many distinguished Zarathushtis at the
residence of Hoshang and Arnavaz Sethna.
Even though
the FEZANA VP Ballot Count meeting was the main reason for my
visit, the opportunity to meet many folks, some even just for a
handshake, was very fulfilling from the point of view of
strengthening old friendships and establishing new ones.
The Ballot
count meeting went smoothly and amicably and I commend the
Candidate’s Representatives Mrs.Yasmin Pavri and Mr. Bahram Yazdani
for their professional and unbiased participation, not to mention
the thoroughness and impeccable preparation of the documentation by
our Secretary Arnavaz.
The most
heart warming experience in Houston was the chance to participate
in the MUKTAD prayers at the Darb-e-Mehr.
We all
recognize the great divide our community faces in all issues of
life, that being the two Schools of Thought, as either
Zarathushtis-By-Parentage or Zarathushtis-By-Choice.
Without
being judgmental, and respecting Zarathushtis of all persuasions, I
honestly feel that there is Good in all of us. I have always
wondered if we will all ever be UNITED in our practice methods of
the Rituals, Traditions and Customs of Our Faith. Even if Unity is
a distant dream, I have always believed that we can be in Harmony
with each other, now.
When I saw
that the Muktad Prayers were conducted in two separate rooms,
clearly reflecting these 2 Schools of Thought, I thought to myself,
this is wonderful Harmony. People had different beliefs and instead
of dividing the community, the good folks of Houston had found a
way, like other centres in North America, to uphold and maintain
our time honoured TRADITION of the essence of MUKTAD or
FRAVARDEGHAN.
I
participated in both rooms, prayed for my departed loved ones and
reflected on the analogy that we can be like the Keyboard of the
Piano, some ebony, some ivory, some at a higher level, some on the
lower rung, all making individually unique sounds, but together
making beautiful music in Harmony.
That SUNDAY
morning in Houston, during the Muktad Prayers, Houstonians were
making SPIRITUAL MUSIC.
Salutations
to the Athravans (MOBEDS) of Houston for their dedication in
performing the ceremonies. Houstonians are truly
fortunate.
May you
live long and recite the Avestan Manthras in Harmony,
forever.
Hazaaran-Hazaar Aafreen Baad!
Sincerely,
Firdosh Mehta
FEZANA, President
