KHOJESTE MISTREE'S ALLEGATIONS
Response by
Jafarey
Mr. Mistree has, in his 885-worded letter of 2 February
2000, made the following five points:
1. <<Over the years, Mr. Jaffrey's words and deeds
have sought to insult and malign our clergy, demean our customs and traditions
and denigrate our prayers and rituals, suggesting that his agenda is far removed
from one that would foster community strength and well-being.>>
Comment: I have, I reiterate, never insulted the clergy,
demeaned the customs and traditions and denigrated prayers and rituals. A glance
through my writings would show that all I have done, has been to portrait them
in their true perspectives without
using any insulting language.
Therefore, this is a cheap false allegation repeated by all the
antagonists without any one of them daring to quote me in full context,
and not a clever cut to distort my meaning or make their own phrases and
sentences, and mislead the reader. My writings, I repeat, are all printed and
published in my books and articles. Most of the articles have been published in
what they call "born" Zoroastrian bulletins and Internet media in Iran
and the United States. If these persons are telling the truth, then why do they
not give a few samples of it to prove their point? Otherwise what they say are
lies.
The person who is constantly insulted and maligned is me
and not the clergy. It was started by Mr. Khojeste Mistree and Prof. James
Russell, both Prof. Mary Boyce's disciples, in their comments on my "The
Cult of Karapans and Kavis" published in the California Zoroastrian
Center's Bulletin of June-October 1984. The comments appeared in the Zoroastrian
Studies bulletin. Mine was an essay written on pre-Zoroastrian priests of the
Daevayasna but it was twisted by the two to apply to modern Mobeds! Mr. Mistree
let the ball role and his colleagues and supporters have made it grown so big
that paradoxically it is threatening their own community. The subscribers of the
former Alias and the readers of the Traditional Zoroastrian Homepage
www.zoroastrianism.com, certain Parsi papers of Bombay, and the recent frantic
efforts to bar me from speaking at the WZC 2000 are the best witnesses of this
fiasco.
2. <<I remember his participation some years ago, at
the North American Houston Congress, when instead of focussing on his topic of
Islam and Zoroastrianism (which is what he was invited to speak on), he
digressed and went into the merits of conversion, way beyond the scope of his
talk.>>
Comment: What made Mr. Mistree to remember the North
American Houston Congress for which he does not give the date -- 31 August-3
September 1990, about ten years ago? My paper had eight sub-titles covering 18
pages of a total of more than 11,500 words. Only a part of the sub-title
"Present and Future" speaks of "accepting converts" and also
deals with the change in the Islamic attitude from forceful conversion to a
peaceful way of missionary work -- all in 645 words on page 15.
Here is that piece:
"ZOROASTRIANISM: A century or more ago, it was taken for granted by almost all that Zoroastrianism is an ethnic religion confined to Irani Zoroastrians and Parsis. New light on the Avesta, particularly the Gathas, and even later traditions and historic evidences have proved it to be the first universal religion with a missionary zeal. Breaking down of "strongholds" has made Zoroastrians to face other religious groups from close and establish friendship with their adherents. Inter-marriages between Zoroastrians and non-Zoroastrians have become a common feature.
Attitudes have changed. Some believe that if the Good
Religion is restored to its Gathic pristine purity, it can well meet the
challenge of social changes, scientific progress and technological advances. As
a modernizing force, it can refresh the world to enjoy righteousness, peace,
progress and prosperity in mind and matter, spirit and body. It can also live in
a friendly relations with other religions.
The number of Zoroastrians who believe in accepting converts is increasing. The Iranian Mobeds Councils in Iran and North America have, given a green light to acceptance but for obvious reasons, are not making any special efforts to win converts. There are several associations in North America who hold the same opinion and follow the same policy. There is, incidentally, one organization in Oregon which has, for the last 15 years established itself as a missionary body -- the International Mazdyasnan Order. It has recently acquired three pieces of land to expand its headquarters. It is not as active as one would expect it to be. But who knows the future? Then, there are a number of prominent persons who are seriously thinking of establishing a well-organized and well-run missionary order in several cities of North America and Europe. Along these lines, the Zarathushtrian Assembly has already been established by some of these persons as a non-profit, non-political religious corporation in Los Angeles. Its membership is open to all those who, of their own individual accord after full consideration and conviction, choose the Good Religion.
Meanwhile, on the one hand, many are alarmed at the
dwindling number of "born" Zoroastrians, and on the other hand,
non-Zoroastrian Iranians are showing ever-greater interest in their ancestral
religion. The number of those who have declared themselves as Zoroastrians in
Iran has soared to over 90,000 souls, 60,000 more than anticipated. This is
against 35,000 in 1979. The number of iranians approaching Zoroastrians and
Zoroastrisn associations in North America and Europe to seek knowledge with a
view to join the community is increasing. Even some Armenians have made
inquiries. Many know the fact that generally Zoroastrians do not proselytize.
Some are openly saying that all they want is to return to their ancestral
religion.
Moreover, outside inter-marriages, as more and more Americans are getting acquainted with the name of Zarathushtra and his teachings, the number of inquiries is showing a steady rise. A few have declared themselves Zarathushtrians and others have expressed a desire to do so. All these challenges cannot be brushed aside or taken lightly. Threats, condemnation, boycotts, excommunication, refusal to recognize a convert as Zarathushtrian, and abusive language would no longer work. It warrants serious consideration. It is, therefore, advisable, at least for those Zorosatrian establishments which favor acceptance, to prepare themselves for the event. It is coming.
ISLAM: Islam also has given up its militant spirit of
conquering to convert. Its missionaries are now armed with better eloquence,
more logic and modern technology to attract others. Good translations of the
Quran and books on various aspects of Islam are easily available in book shops.
Islamic monotheism, absence of racism and equality of all Muslims are quite
attractive. Islam is competing well with the most missionary religion of all
times -- Christianity -- in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is gaining
more genuine converts through its peaceful drive than it did earlier through
force and concession." (end of the piece.)
Was Mr. Mistree telling the truth, nothing but the truth? I
can e-mail a copy of the paper to any person asking for it.
The FEZANA Houston Congress was attended by Dastur Dr.
Kersey Antia, Dastur Dr. Kotwal, Dastur Dr. Jehan Bagli, Dr. Farhang Mehr, and
other religious and social dignitaries, including today's top Traditional
Mazdayasni Zoroastrian Anjuman officials. The Mistree brothers were both
present, and Mr. Farrokh Mistree was in charge of the papers. My paper had a
rousing reception. Why did Mr. Khojeste Mistree not have courage to rise and
protest at that time? Why after almost ten years, during which not a single
voice was raised against it by any person, he jumped on 2nd February to
"remember" and caution the WZC Executives? What could be the real
motive?
And does he know that my talk at the Congress was published
in form of two booklets -- "An Outline of the Zarathushtrian Religion and
Zoroastrianism" and "An Outline of Good Religion of Zarathushtra"
in March 1992? One compares the pure and pristine Good Religion with the
institutionalized Zoroastrianism and the other simply describes the Good
Religion. The former has been translated into Persian and the later has its
second edition in September 1999. Not a word of criticism but praises by all who
have read it here in the West and in Iran.
3. <<Do we want somebody who is indisciplined in
thought, disrespectful to the religion and one who, above all, has a single
point agenda of Islamicizing Zoroastrianism, and turning our religion into a
watered-down version of Shi'ite Islam, so that it is pallatable to his group of
Muslim converts.>>
Comment: A person who talked friendly even after my speech
was read at the Houston Congress, waits for ten years to turn brave enough to
call me <<indisciplined in thought, disrespectful to Zoroastrianism and
turning our religion into a watered-down version of Shi'ite Islam so that it is
pallatable to his group of Muslim converts.>> He is a true Defender of the
Faith and that too right on time and with right words!
Does Mr. Mistree know the wide difference between the
reflective Good Religion of Zarathushtra and the prescriptive Traditionalist
Zoroastrianism? Does he have the slightest idea of what Islam is and what the
Shi'ite sect presents? His very statement shows that he does not. His Mary-Boyce
background shows that he cannot. Had he any knowledge of Comparative Religion,
he would known that the prescriptive and proscriptive Traditionalist
Zoroastrianism is far closer to the prescriptive and proscriptive Shi'itism than
it is to the pure and pristine Good Religion. One need not "water
down" Traditionalist Zoroastrianism to make it palatable to Shi'ites. The
Shi'ite tenets of theocracy, pollution/purification commandments, and other
prescriptions and proscriptions are, in fact, the complements of the Sassanian
theocracy and the Traditional commandments in the Vendidad and the Pahlavi
writings of the category.
The reflective
Good Religion of Zarathushtra I have learned, chosen, and am practicing,
teaching, and preaching, is unique and does not resemble any other religion,
creed, or belief in its basic "Principles of Life." Mr. Mistree's
accusation is far from truth. His is just another twisting blasphemy with a
cheap shot.
4. <<Mr. Jaffrey and his supporters seek to promote
an ideology which in no way adheres to classical Zoroastrianism
as practised over the millennia and a majority of the community,
globally, in my opinon, find his actions and the surreptitious promotion of his
cult to be distasteful and clearly unacceptable.>>
Comment: If that is true, why all the frantic attempts from
the active Traditionalist leaders to debar me from speaking? Will the audience
attending the Congress be so naive as to believe me without question? Or does he
and his Traditionalist colleagues fear that I will <<insult and malign our
clergy, demean our customs and traditions and denigrate our prayers and
rituals>> and create a commotion?" Or is there another fear, the real
fear? Is it the fear that the distortions and lies spread by certain
Traditionalist leaders, including Mr. Mistree, against me for the last decade
and more, will be exposed when people hear me talk? Isn't it the real
fear -- the stark exposure of lies???
5. <<In fact, his active policy of conversion should
be cause for grave concern to your executive board, as an invitation from your
congress committee will convey to him and his cult followers, a sense of
approval and legitimacy which they are so desperately seeking. We have thousands
of Iranian Zoroastrians living in and around the environs of Yazd , whose lives
I fear will be put in jeopardy, if Mr. Jaffery
is invited to the congress. Moreover, it will give a clear signal to the
Iranian government, (specially as this world congress will receive widespread
publicity in the Indian newspapers), that the Zoroastrians are actively
endorsing a proselytizing policy in direct conflict with Islam.
Can we risk the lives of thousands of innocent Zoroastrians as a
trade-off for supporting Mr. Jaffrey and
his minions at the altar of political expediency?
I, for one, would not like to have the death of even a single Zoroastrian
on my conscience.>>
Click A False Alarm & A Hollow Hoax
for the reply to his politics.
* * * * * *
LINKS:
To Return to the Relevant Original
Allegation, CLICK
Khojeste Mistree's Allegations
TABLE OF CONTENTS and Their Links
Introduction & the Gist of "The Plain Reality Behind The Intricate Falsity"
Analysis of the 26-page "Global Protest"