FEZANA Bulletin: May 2026

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VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 5—–In This Issue…

  • FEZANA Updates
  • Association Announcements & Updates
  • Committee Updates
  • Upcoming Events
  • In Other News

—–FEZANA Updates

FEZANA AGM 2026

The Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) successfully held its 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) from April 24th to 26th, 2026, hosted by the Zoroastrian Association of California (ZAC) in Orange, California. The meeting brought together representatives from member associations and committees to reflect on the past year, discuss key initiatives, and chart a path forward.

On April 23rd, FEZANA launched the “Z-BUILD (Zoroastrian – Building Unity, Infrastructure, Legacy and Development)” initiative. Its purpose is to convene leaders to establish shared priorities and begin long-term planning for the community’s physical and digital infrastructure development across North America. FEZANA extended its heartfelt gratitude to ZAC for their outstanding hosting and execution of the event.

Selling Out Soon: Z GAMES 2026 Registration

REGISTER FOR THE SOCIAL EVENTS BEFORE IT SELLS OUT!
Become a ZGames Sponsor Today!

13th World Zoroastrian Congress 2026

  • Date: 28–30 December 2026
  • Location: Singapore

The Congress is offering sponsorships to ten deserving full-time Mobeds, covering return airfare, stay, and registration.

  • Eligibility: Full-time Mobeds currently serving at an Atash Behram, Agiary, Adarian or Dar-e-Meher.
  • Application Deadline: 25 May 2026.
  • Contact for Info/Applications: mobeds.wzcsg26@gmail.com.

WZC 2026 is seeking sponsors to make Zoroastrian history in the Lion City. They expect 1,000 attendees from 15 countries, with over 40% of participants under 40 years old.

  • Sponsorship Contact: sponsorships@wzcsg26.com.

—–Association Announcements & Updates

Interfaith Engagement: Honoring the Zoroastrian Community at Eid Milan 2026

The Indian Muslim Association of Greater Houston (IMAGH) honored the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) at its annual Eid Milan Gala on Saturday, April 11, 2026, for its commitment to preserving heritage and promoting interfaith dialogue. The event featured remarks from IMAGH President Dr. Hina Azam and Zia Anklesaria, and a keynote address by Dr. Badshah.

Attendees included: ZAH Executive Committee members Zia Anklesaria and Nozer Dungor, Secretary Percy Master, FEZANA President Ervad Kayomarz Y. Sidhwa, FIRES Co-Chair Aban Rustomji, and Consul General of India, DC Manjunath.

ZAPANJ Adar Roj nu Parab

The ZAPANJ April Religious Class celebrated Adar Roj nu Parab. Younger children participated in preparing for “Choola nu Varas” (the symbolic birthday celebration of the house fire) by creating and decorating their own makeshift choolas (stoves).

Newly Elected ZAGNY Board

ZAGNY welcomes its 22nd Board.

  • Office Holders:
    • President: Nawaz Merchant
    • Vice President: Prema Cassad
    • Treasurer: Rushad Cassad
    • Secretary: Tanaz Mody
    • Joint Treasurer: Zareen Mistry
  • Members at Large: Sam Shroff, Jamshed Dastur, Farzad Dutia, Kaveh Mama, Dixie Cama, Jeh Mory.

—–Committee Updates

Religion Education Committee (REC)

  • In conversation with Ervad Brigadier Behram Panthaki & Mobedyār Armita Dalal: Living a Life of Purpose & Impact Forged by Fire & Faith
    • Date/Time: Saturday May 9th, 2026 (10am PT, 12noon CT, 1pm ET)
    • Zoom: Meeting ID: 815 1759 8231, Passcode: REC

The REC supports Member Associations by strengthening religious education. Encourage community religion teachers to get involved by emailing education@fezana.org.

  • Co-Chairs: Artemis Javanshir and Persis Driver

Scholarship Committee

The 2026 FEZANA Scholarship Applications are officially open, awarding more than $120,000.

  • Who Can Apply: Undergraduate students, graduate students, and artists enrolled in accredited institutions in the United States or Canada.
  • Application Deadline: July 15, 2026
  • Apply Online: [Apply Online Here](online portal)
  • Co-Chairs: Dolly Dastoor Ph.D & Dinsha Mistree Ph.D

Interfaith Committee

  • Bakhtavar Desai is offering Zoroastrian prayer at the Religions for Peace Meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2 PM EST. Join Live via Zoom or Facebook (Zoom registration is required).
  • RFP-USA 2026 Executive Council Retreat: FEZANA’s Interfaith Activities Committee hosted the retreat in Cincinnati, OH, on April 15-16. Discussions covered topics like the role of faith in protecting democracy and gender equality in religious communities. A special visit to the historic Hebrew Union College was also organized.

FEZANA Journal

The upcoming issue will explore Zoroastrian leadership through different voices and highlight how values such as asha guide ethical leadership. The issue will also include the list of awardees for the FEZANA Scholarship Program and the Fali Chothia Educational Trust Fund.

FIRES Committee

  • Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Competition: Submissions are now open for the 3rd Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize, inviting Zoroastrian writers and emerging voices to share work that reflects identity and cultural memory.
  • Quiet Builders: Parsi Women in Early 20th-Century Karachi: The FEZANA Talks #31

Book Review: The Silk Road: A New History
By: Valerie Hansen

This book challenges the traditional view of the Silk Road as a single long road, explaining it instead as a network of smaller trade routes connecting different regions. It uses evidence like coins, documents, and preserved food, focusing on seven important locations from the 2nd to the 11th century. A main idea is that most trade was local, with goods passing through many hands. It also explains how religions, including Zoroastrianism, spread along these routes.—–Upcoming Events

  • Sun, May 3, 2026 | 8 AM PST, 11 AM EST: BaHumata: Is Free Will a Fragment of Imagination or A Segment for Determination
    • Panelists: Ervad Freddy Gonda, Ervad Rayomand Pochkhanawala, Anahita Driver, Persis Driver; Moderator: Dr. Karishma Koka
    • Zoom Link: Meeting ID: 834 0882 6220 Passcode: BAHUMATA
  • May 8 – May 29, 2026 | 9:30am PT, 12:30pm ET (Fridays): American Zoroastrian Society: Exhale Fridays
  • Saturday, May 9 – June 13, 2026 | 8 AM PST, 11 AM EST: NAMC: Zoroastrian Concepts in Pahlavi Texts
    • Presenter: Dr. Rastin Mehri (Registration is required)
  • Saturdays, May 10, 2026 | 8 AM PST, 11 AM EST: NAMC: ‘Representation of Zoroastrianism in Pop Culture’
    • Presenter: Pablo Vazquez (Registration is not required)
  • June 12-14, 2026: A Women’s Retreat Hosted by Doorway to Joy
    • Location: Villa Maria Del Mar, Santa Cruz, CA
  • June 12-14, 2026: Toronto Z-Camp
  • Sun, June 14, 2026 | 10 AM BST: WZO Annual Seminar: King Xerxes and the Plane Tree: an enigmatic reference to ancient Persian love of nature
    • Location: World Zoroastrian House, Feltham, TW13 5DF
  • June 26-28, 2026: ZAC Z-Camp
    • Location: ZAC-LA
  • July 1 – 4, 2026: 17th Zoroastrian Games 2026
  • July 23 – July 26, 2026: NAMC: Sacred Purification (Bareshnum) Inner Renewal Retreat
    • Location: Bhandara Atashkadeh, Houston, Texas (Registration is required)
  • July 23 – July 26, 2026: San Jose Z-Camp
  • July 24 – July 26, 2026: ZAH Youth Camp
    • Location: Bhandara Atashkadeh, Houston, Texas
  • December 28 – 30, 2026: 13th World Zoroastrian Congress in Singapore

Recurring Events

  • EVERY Sundays | 6 PM PST, 9 PM EST: ZYNA: Weekly ZYNA Hangout
    • Moderator: Jennifer Bugli
    • Zoom Link: Meeting ID: 969 5327 5673
  • EVERY Sunday | 11:30 AM PST, 2:30 PM EST: NAMC: Weekly Online Communal Prayer
    • Moderator: Ervad Zarrir Bhandara (Registration is required)

—–In Other News

  • Doorway to Joy Women’s Retreat: The retreat on June 12-14, 2026, is rooted in the ways of ancient Iran. Last day to register was May 10, 2026.
  • WZYLF Silent Auction: A silent auction is being held to support the World Zoroastrian Youth Leaders Forum 2026 (May 19–27) by subsidizing participant costs. It features unique handcrafted artwork by WZYLF alumna Shirin Mazdeyasna.
  • The Zarathushtrian 1001 Names of Ahura Mazda: A recording adapted from the calligraphy book.
  • Books about Zoroastrianism: The Zoroastrian World by Jenny Rose, Albert de Jong, and Sarah Stewart.
  • American Zoroastrian Society Internship: An internship opportunity for a content producer with flexible hours is available. Applicants should email a brief letter of intent and a list of tools/software to contact@amzsociety.org.
  • Cinematic English-Language Zoroastrian Hymn: Zubin Nalawalla and Content Digital Agency (CDA) announce the success of “AHURA MAZDA – An Ode,” hailed as a global English-language Zoroastrian hymn. The song, which has garnered over 250,000 views, was released to coincide with Navroz (March 21st) and was filmed in Azerbaijan and the Holy Fire temple of Udvada, India.

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