WELCOMING SPEECH
Presented by
Ervad Dr. Jehan Bagli
President, North American Mobed Council (NAMC)
Good morning and welcome to
the 'Seminar 2005' of NAMC.
Among others, one of the mandates of NAMC is to
disseminate the knowledge of the religion of
Zarathushtra not only among the Mobeds but through them
to the zarathushtrian community. For this reason it is
imperative that we make a concerted effort to build a
cadre of knowledgeable priesthood that can do this job
efficiently and satisfactorily. NAMC attempts to fulfill
this commitment using various means such as
publications, lectures and seminars.
While organizing a seminar is a challenging project in
itself, often hurdles that naturally emerge on the way
to a successful seminar often become test to ones
patience. In 2003 when we organized a seminar on
zarathushtrian Rituals we were beset at the last minute
with the problem SARS epidemic that unexpectedly imposed
travel bans to Toronto by WHO. This prevented some of
our invited speakers from participating in the seminar.
We thought this year we were fortunate. However, only a
week ago one of our speakers was in a car accident and
just three days ago the other speaker had a sad demise
in the close family. This however did not deter our
spirits. With the help of Mazda although the two
speakers could not come for the meeting, we have the
lectures of both these speakers with us and will be read
by two of our executive members.
With this I will now introduce the first talk.
Respected Ervads and Mobediyars and Ladies and
Gentlemen,
Welcome to the North American Mobed Council (NAMC)
Seminar today. On behalf of the Zoroastrian Association
of Greater New York (ZAGNY), I welcome you all to this
Seminar.
In the history of ZAGNY, I believe that this is the
third time that ZAGNY is hosting this seminar, the last
time being in 1998/99. However, this is a Historic Day
for the Zoroastrian community. It is the very first time
that the NAMC has invited the public to attend this kind
of seminar and today it has also invited the public to
participate in discussions with the delegates during the
concluding session. The paucity of numbers in the hall
today indicates that the public probably has not got
used to the idea that the Council has in fact agreed to
the idea of a limited public participation. This event
will also give us all an opportunity to discuss the
issues on one-on-one basis during the various breaks.
We have a full agenda for today’s Seminar, which is in
front of you and I am sure that it is going to be an
interesting and a learning experience for all of us. We
all look forward to that experience in great
anticipation.
One of the most important subjects I am looking forward
today is the item of establishment of a “Consecrated
Fire temple on the North American Continent”. During the
last few years, our community have been shown the
documentaries about the “Architectural, and historical,
aspects of the Fire temples on the Indian Subcontinent
and in Iran. We have debated this subject of a
“Consecrated Fire temple on the North American
Continent” at many Congresses and Conferences. Now I
would like you to deliberate and document the main
requirements of “establishing a Consecrated Fire temple
on the North American Continent”. Please discuss this
issue from all angles and outline the ceremonies to be
performed, the time frame requirements, and any other
requirements including minimum subsequent maintenance
requirements. You may even discuss the alternatives
suitable to the local situation.
This is the challenge for the North American Zoroastrian
community, it is a challenge to you all, and so please
address the issue. I do not expect that by the end of
this day you will have all the answers. But if you begin
the process today and continue your deliberations by
electronic communication, I am sure that by the time we
meet once again in the following year a substantial
progress on this issue will be made. It is for you all,
reverend Mobeds and Mobediyars, to take, metaphorically,
the Bull by the horn and move ahead. And it is for this
reason that the community in the future will remember
this Seminar as the historic event where the subject of
“establishment of a consecrated fire temple on the North
American Continent” was discussed, debated, and
deliberated for the first time.
Let me close my welcoming address by quoting the
following Blessings from Yasna 60.5 “DAHAM AFRIN”
May understanding obedience conquer ignorant
disobedience!
May Harmony triumph over Discord,
And Generosity of Spirit over Covetous Avarice!
May Trust replace Suspicion, And may Respect replace
Derision!
May Truthful Speech prevail over Falsehood,
And May the Righteous Order conquer the Web of deceitful
existence, and eradicate misery from this world!
And finally may we see Thee, as we approach with our
dedication to the Exalted and Bounteous Righteous Order!
Amen!
Thank you very much.
July 30, 2005
