Embracing the theme: A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights, FEZANA, alongside leaders and volunteers from the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAMC), will participate in parades, events and sessions taking place Aug. 13 – 18, at McCormick Place Lakeside Center
Burr Ridge, Ill., Aug. 12, 2023 – FEZANA, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, will rally Zoroastrians from across greater Chicago and North America to participate in the 9th Parliament of World’s Religions (PoWR): A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights, taking place Aug. 13 – 18, at McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago.
Representing the Zoroastrian contingent are luminary speakers, including: Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, Dr. Sousan Abadian, Dr. Niaz Kasravi, Dr. Rashna Writer, Prof. Jamsheed Choksey, Parisa Khosravi, and leading Zoroastrian educators, scholars, community leaders and next generation influencers.
To access the complete lineup of Zoroastrian speakers at the PoWR, visit https://fezana.org/powr/.
“FEZANA is proud to have over two dozen programs represented at the Parliament, including several interfaith panels,” said FEZANA PoWR Committee Co-Chair Bakhtavar Desai. “We are pleased to showcase an outstanding roster of panelists, speakers and moderators on the following tracks: freedom & human rights, global ethics, climate change, women’s rights, youth and the next generation, and music and dance. We also look forward to expanding awareness for FEZANA, the Zoroastrian faith and our cultural heritage through our exhibit booth, a Faith Room and a booth PoWR Kids section.”
The 9th PoWR will officially convene Sunday, Aug. 13, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., with the official PoWR Parade of Faiths. A traditional pre-Parliament celebration, the Parade of Faiths will celebrate Chicago’s rich diversity and features music dance and participation by more than 60 local and North American Zoroastrians.
Desai said FEZANA also will showcase three exhibits in the PoWR’s Special Exhibits area: the acclaimed Cyrus Cylinder, the Swastika Symbol (dispelling the negative myth for this revered Hindu symbol meaning good fortune or well-being in Sanskrit), and a collage in the shape of a Fravashi that will be filled with messages on Human Rights sent by Zoroastrians from all over the world.
“I want to personally thank FEZANA Interfaith Committee co-chairs, Bakhtavar Desai and Homi Gandhi, and local leadership led by ZAMC President Jamshed Rivetna, and the many volunteers of all ages who will impact the Zoroastrian presence at the PoWR,” said FEZANA President Arzan Sam Wadia. “Every four years, the Zoroastrian faith shines brightly at the PoWR thanks to the hard work of our leadership teams and respected speakers who showcase the beauty and majesty of our storied religion. As a faith we are also extremely privileged to have two of our own as Trustees of the PoWR. Mahrukh Motafram and Dolly Dastoor continue to lead the way and open up possibilities and opportunities for us to showcase our faith at the PoWR. We look forward to participating and joining arms with our fellow co-religionists for what promises to be a memorable and impactful week of interfaith dialogue and collaboration.”
Zoroastrians are followers of one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions founded by the prophet Zarathushtra more than 3,000 years ago in ancient Iran. Zoroastrians have long served as bridge builders in interfaith dialogue, believing in truth, righteousness, charity, beneficence, respect and care for the environment, and the triumph of good over evil. Zoroastrianism flourished as the imperial religion of three Persian empires, those of the Achaemenians, Parthians and Sassanians, and was the dominant religion from Turkey and eastward to China during those times. North America’s Zoroastrian community includes those who arrived from the Indian subcontinent, known as Parsis, and those who came directly from Iran seeking religious freedom.
About FEZANA
Founded in 1987, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) represents a diverse and growing Zarathushti community in the western diaspora. Guided by the blessings of Ahura Mazda and the teachings of prophet Zarathushtra, the non-profit federation serves as the coordinating body for 27 Zoroastrian associations and 14 corresponding groups in Canada and the United States. The activities of FEZANA are conducted in a spirit of mutual respect, cooperation and unity among all member associations, and with due regard for the Zarathushti principles of goodness, truth, reason, benevolence, implicit trust and charity toward all mankind. Visit www.fezana.org and follow FEZANA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheFEZANA.
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Media contact: Jim Engineer | FEZANA Communications | <pr> at <fezana> dot <org>
