Fellow Zoroastrians,

It is with great pride that I inform you that our very own Zoroastrian singer and song writer,  Shayan Italia today releases his debut single “Reflection.”  On 13th of October 2007 his “Reflection” music video was at 4th position in the TV Airplay Chart, having had 301 plays that week.  You can watch the music video on Shayan’s site http://www.shayanitalia.com/.

Many Zoroastrians heard Shayan performing for the first time at the Zoroastrian Centre for Europe during the 8th World Zoroastrian Congress in June 2005.   He impressed members of the community both young and old with his talent, to the extent that he was requested to perform for a second time on the closing day of the conference.

I urge you all to purchase Shayan’s single and help propel him to the top of the singles chart.  Please promote him to all your family and friends and support this young and upcoming Zoroastrian artist.  We wish Shayan great success in his endeavour.

Paurushasp B. Jila
President
Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe Inc.
http://www.ztfe.com/

New York, NY, Feb. 27, 2007 –ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATION OF GREATER NEW YORK (ZAGNY) today announced that Zoroastrian organizations throughout the United States and Canada will celebrate the important festival of NauRooz (pronounced Noh-Rooz), March 21, 2007, marking the official celebration of the Zoroastrian New Year at the turn of the spring equinox.

ZAGNY will mark the occasion with a prayer ceremony at 4-30 PM on March 21 at ARBAB RUSTAM GUIV DARBE-MEHR, 106 Pomona Road, Suffern, NY 10901.  Get driving directions here.

Media and the public are invited to attend. Please see the full Press Release here: NauRooz2007-ZAGNY.pdf

The more traditional NauRooz celebration takes place on March 24th.

Dear all,

I am very proud to introduce one of our own, Commander Kurush F. Morris, as  the first Zoroastrian Commanding Officer of USS Taylor in the US Navy.  Kurush assumed command of USS Taylor (FFG 50) in December 2006. Kurush, we are very proud of your achievements. Kurush and Pashang Patel were the first recipients of the Zoroastrian religious emblem, which encouraged and promoted our “Good Life” program. Kurush is the son of Zhaver and Fred Morris, long time members of ZAGNY, who have moved recently to Jacksonville, Florida. Kurush’s brothers, Murzban and Bezan, also joined the US Navy after graduating from Annapolis Naval Academy.
 
Thanks,
 
Homi

…Read the rest of this entry »»»

Here’s a great synopsis of Zoroastrian history.  Thanks to Nawaz B. Mody for permitting us to reproduce some of the material from her publication “Enduring Legacy – Parsis of the 20th Century” Vol. I & II. 

Please note: This ZIP download is approximately 48 MB.

Originally published on November 8, 2006 by NY Daily News

BY CARLOS RODRIGUEZ MARTORELL

From Harlem to the streets of Baghdad, all the world’s a stage for actress, playwright and “artivist” Kayhan Irani — literally.

The dreamy-eyed 28-year-old New Yorker of Indian descent has been involved in dozens of plays and artistic actions advocating social justice. Her celebrated one-woman show, “We’ve Come Undone,” has toured colleges and community centers nationwide.

The series of monologues first staged in 2003 portrays the struggles faced by Arab, Muslim and South Asian communities following 9/11 in a suddenly hostile America. For instance, a young girl experiences bewilderment at her father’s disappearance after being interrogated by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. …Read the rest of this entry »»»

View the video here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5468494210860637483 

Cyrus (580-529 BC) was the first Achaemenid Emperor. He founded Persia by uniting the two original Iranian Tribes- the Medes and the Persians. Although he was known to be a great conqueror, who at one point controlled one of the greatest Empires ever seen, he is best remembered for his unprecedented tolerance and magnanimous attitude towards those he defeated.

Upon his victory over the Medes, he founded a government for his new kingdom, incorporating both Median and Persian nobles as civilian officials. The conquest of Asia Minor completed, he led his armies to the eastern frontiers. Hyrcania and Parthia were already part of the Median Kingdom. Further east, he conquered Drangiana, Arachosia, Margiana and Bactria. After crossing the Oxus, he reached the Jaxartes, where he built fortified towns with the object of defending the farthest frontier of his kingdom against nomadic tribes of Central Asia.

The victories to the east led him again to the west and sounded the hour for attack on Babylon and Egypt. When he conquered Babylon, he did so to cheers from the Jewish Community, who welcomed him as a liberator- he allowed the Jews to return to the promised Land. He showed great forbearance and respect towards the religious beliefs and cultural traditions of other races. These qualities earned him the respect and homage of all the people over whom he ruled.