Embracing the theme: Generation Z: Propelling Zarathushti Resurgence, organizers achieve their goal of registering 40 percent of all attendees under the age of 40; programming topics will center on Zoroastrian religion, culture and heritage with a future focus, and spotlight the talents and perspectives of Zoroastrians across the North American diaspora.
HOUSTON — FEZANA, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, and the Zoroastrian Association of Houston, formally announced the launch of the 18th North American Zoroastrian Congress, Dec. 29, 2024 to Jan. 1, 2025, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Houston. Rallying around the theme Generation Z: Propelling Zarathushti Resurgence, congress organizers announced they have exceeded their goal of attracting more than 40 percent of all registrations under 40 years of age.
“We are thrilled to welcome more than 725 Zoroastrians from around the world to Houston, where we have spent seven years planning, organizing, raising money, building volunteer teams and sounding the drum beat for the first North American Zoroastrian Congress since 2014,” said FEZANA President Ervad Kayomarz Y. Sidhwa, one of two congress co-chairs. “On behalf of our amazing team, I want to personally thank all the volunteers at the Zoroastrian Association of Houston for their hard work, diligence and hospitality as the Zoroastrian diaspora gathers for this truly momentous event.”
Sidhwa said programming would feature perspective from more than 60 speakers representing a deep collective knowledge base, a myriad of ages and diverse backgrounds. Keynote addresses will be delivered by iconic Bollywood film star Boman Irani entitled Bridging Cultures and Inspiring Resurgence; and Zoroastrian next generation visionary and leader, Sanaya Master, entitled Igniting the Flame Within: Empowering Generation Z for a Zoroastrian Renaissance.
“I am humbled and honored to deliver the keynote at this magnificent gathering of Zoroastrians from around the world, and looking forward to not only speaking, but to building memories and relationships that will last a lifetime,” Irani said. “We continue to thrive and grow in the diaspora, and our Zoroastrian contribution to the world continues to be both influential and impactful.”
According to Master, who has served as the visionary founder of the World Zoroastrian Youth Leaders Forum, the opportunity to present a dynamic vision for the future that is emboldened by a new generation of Zoroastrian leadership represents an inflection point for North American Zoroastrians in the diaspora.
“This congress is so unique in that the penultimate focus centers around the empowerment and participation of the Gen Z Zoroastrians and I couldn’t be more excited to share my experiences and perspectives to truly engage and motivate them to get involved and lead us into the future,” Master said.
Other prominent speakers include:
- Miguel Angel Andres Toledo, the first-ever FEZANA Professor of Zoroastrian Languages and Literatures at the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto;
- Parisa Khosravi, former CNN SVP of International News Gathering and inspirational Ted Talks presenter;
- Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor, High Priest of the Iranshah Arashbehram in Udvada, India; and
- Ervad Tehemton Mirza, President, North American Mobed’s Council.
Congress Co-Chair Aderbad Tamboli, who also serves as Chair of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston, said the congress planning also extends to a Kids Congress for those aged 5 to 10 years; a Tween/Teen track for young adolescents; vendor exhibitors; a Denim and Diamonds gala; a Comedy Night featuring a traditional Natak (comedy show), and a special New Years Eve Gala to ring in the new year.
“Our dedicated team of one hundred-plus volunteers and sponsors have made our program enlightening, balanced and inspirational – we are grateful to each of them,” Tamboli said. “From transformational keynotes, panels and presentations to exciting social programming, we look forward to celebrating together and to propelling our Zarathushti resurgence into the new year.”
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.
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About Zoroastrian Association of Houston
The Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) was established in 1976 to promote the religious, social, and cultural aspects of the Zoroastrian faith. ZAH is fortunate to have in the local Mobeds (priests) who conduct religious services, ceremonies, and rituals; numerous individuals whose serve on executive boards and committees (i.e. youth, sports, Sunday school, religious services, outreach, Golden Group & Library) provide leadership and vision to growing community and countless active members who through their participation, initiative, and hard work are committed to building a strong community. In 2019, ZAH was the first Zoroastrian association in North America to erect a 24-hour wood burning fire Atash Kadeh, a revered, all-inclusive place of worship for Zoroastrians their family members and friends.
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 comprised of an Executive Committee and 24 Sub-Committees, 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, X (Twitter) and Facebook @TheFEZANA, and on LinkedIn.
Contact:
Jim Engineer
FEZANA
630 728 1387
pr@fezana.org
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.
