ZAKOI Presence at the 2019 Cincinnati Festival of Faiths

Last month, on September 8, 2019, ZAKOI (Zoroastrian Association of Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana) members actively contributed and participated in the 2019 Cincinnati Festival of Faiths — a celebration of interfaith understanding and collaboration. The gathering took place at the Cintas Center at Xavier University in Cincinnati and was attended by over 2000 people.

ZAKOI members at the Festival

With a main theme of “Compassion Through Action” and a sub-theme for 2019 of “Making Cincinnati A Beloved Community,” the event offered visitors many opportunities to interact with the various Faith Communities including: 100 faith-based exhibits, musical and dance performances, a curated vendors area, compassionate conversations and dialogue, and much, much more. The Festival strives to bring all the people in the region, of various faiths, cultures, races, and economic backgrounds together under one roof to celebrate the beautiful mosaic of humanity.  This is an effort to give people the opportunity to learn about each other and realize how similar we all are; and that fear and hatred, really, should have no place in our society, if we understand, respect and befriend one another. Visit the Cincinnati Festival of Faiths website to learn more and to see a video from the Inaugural Festival in 2018.

Erv Fred Desai at Festival’s Opening Ceremony

ZAKOI members were involved with this event at all levels from the Festival’s Organizing Steering Committee to representing the Zoroastrian Faith at the Festival itself. Ervad Fred Desai was given the honor of presenting a devotional prayer during the Festival’s Opening Ceremony.

Also making ZAKOI very proud, three ZAKOI high schoolers (Arianna Arianna Kelawala (a Junior from Gahanna, OH), Arish Antia (a Freshman from Wyoming, OH), and Farah Desai (a Senior from Fairfield, OH) were on the 2019 Festival’s Youth Committee which had its own Youth Corner at the Festival, helping to make the Festival more youth-friendly and fun!

ZAKOI is already looking forward to next year’s Festival of Faiths in 2020. FEZANA applauds ZAKOI for its continued active participation in this yearly event!

Zoroastrian Exhibit Table presented by ZAKOI members at the Festival
Faith Leaders at 2019 Festival of Faith Opening Ceremony
2019 Festival of Faiths Youth Area

Press Room

FEZANA represents a diverse and growing Zarathushti community in North America.

Guided by the blessings of AHURA MAZDA and the teachings of our Prophet Zarathushtra; the Federation was founded in 1987 It serves as the coordinating body for 26 Zoroastrian Associations and 14 Corresponding Groups in the United States and Canada.

The activities of FEZANA are conducted in a spirit of mutual respect, co-operation and unity amongst all Member associations, and with due regard for the principles of GOODNESS, TRUTH, REASON, BENEVOLENCE, IMPLICIT TRUST and CHARITY towards all Mankind.

:+: Baname Khoda Kshnothro Ahura Mazda