Traditional Mazdayasni Zoroastrian Anjuman
11 Crestwood Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone (949) 759-0519
January 30, 2000
Dr. Ms. Dolly Dastoor/ Mr. Homi Davier Co-chairs, WZC2000
Subject: Involvement of Mr. Ali Jafarey in WZC2000
Conference.
Dear Dolly and Homi:
We at TMZA are deeply disturbed by reports that outside
pressure is being exerted on FEZANA and the WZC2000 Governing Body once again to
involve Mr. Ali Jafarey in our community gatherings, this time at the WZC2000.
We had protested at the Kansas AGM in 1995 when good sense prevailed and Dolly
canceled Mr. Jafarey's lecture. We do not know how many times our lives will
have to be disrupted exerting our efforts to battle this issue again and again.
One thing is certain, however, that TMZA will spare no pains to safeguard our
community from destruction by outside forces, whatever the cost.
Our underlying concern, which was shared by both of our
Mobeds Councils, at the last Kansas AGM was to ensure that we did not knowingly
expose our fragile community to brainwashing that would bring us harm in the
long run.
As you know, our scriptures and other literature are
written in languages,which have been extinct now for millennia. They are also
written in riddles that are not easy to decipher. A classic example is our mere
21-syllable Yatha Ahu Vairiyo prayer, which has over thirty 'authentic'
translations to its credit, each one different from the rest. Anyone with a
little knowledge and a gift of the gab can put his/her own interpretations on
our scriptures to suit ones own vested interests and tout them as the ultimate
truth to beguile their audiences. In doing so, such a person becomes an instant
scholar and guide.
Ours is probably the only community in the world that would
allow an outsider, like Mr. Jafarey, to come and tell us that what the Parsis
have been doing for the past thirteen centuries is wrong. We are being told that
we have been saying the wrong prayers, performing the wrong rituals and that our
time-tested rules for self- presen/ation (i.e., our rules against
inter-marriage, conversion, acceptance, etc.) should be discarded. Can you
imagine a Christian or a Muslim or any person from a different religion
condoning such an outrage from a Zarathushti preaching at one of their religious
meetings? Why then, are we ready to tolerate such behavior from Mr. Jafarey?
We attach just three sample extracts from letters-to
demonstrate the insults Mr. Jafarey has hurled at our faith and religious
beliefs over the years and hurt us so deeply.
Parsis have always had the record of being gracious and
appreciative of scholars of other faiths spending their lifetimes in the study
of our scriptures. None of these scholars, however, has ever tried to undermine
our faith and religious beliefs or tried to bring our fragile community that
much closer to extinction by his outrageous pronouncements. Mr. Jafarey is busy
doing just that and that is why we do not want him anywhere near our gatherings,
leave alone preaching to us.
There is also talk of an award being presented to this
gentleman. Award for what? In our opinion, the only award Mr. Jafarey should be
given is one for trying to destroy the faith and identity of a tiny and gentle
community and for causing a rift between Parsi and Iranian Zarathushti.
We have used "Mr." because it is being seriously
alleged that this gentleman may not be even telling the truth about his Ph.D.
degree. Having a Ph.D. degree or not is neither here nor there so far as we are
concerned, but if there is a lie involved, then that is serious business. That,
to us, is double the reason for keeping this gentleman as far away from us as
possible. The Governing Body should seriously check these allegations out
otherwise there will be egg on all our faces.
Thank you for your patience in reading our protest. We are
looking to you, our two trusted conference Co-Chairs, to not be swayed by the
antics of Mr. Jafarey or his cronies. We have placed the well being of our
community in your hands when we appointed you as Co-Chairs. Although we have
placed tremendous power in your hands there is also tremendous responsibility
placed on your shoulders. Please listen to what we have said and not allow any
reckless behavior to jeopardize the faith and identity of our people. Please do
not accept the move to have Mr. Jafarey or any other such person getting
involved in the WZC2000.
May Ahura Mazda grant you the strength, courage and wisdom
to guide our community safely over this hurdle. We thank you for your efforts
and wish you good luck and success. With kind regards,
Sincerely,
Members, Offiice Bearers and Trustees. TMZA.
Enclosure: Attachment 1 <Sample Offending Letters by Jafarey>
* * * * * *
LINKS:
To read the Relevant Allegations
& Replies, CLICK
Samples of Offending Letters by Jafarey
TABLE OF CONTENTS and Their Links
Introduction & the Gist of "The Plain Reality Behind The Intricate Falsity"
Analysis of the 26-page "Global Protest"