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Everyone in the room is a member of the faith and it makes no difference if someone is a scholar or knows nothing about the religion because the organizing committee worked incredibly hard to put together a program that represents a wide range of topics and opinions. There is something to learn for everyone, emphasized Sheherazad Kapadia, co-chair of the 8th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress (8WZYC) on the opening day on July 21, 2023.
The organizing team has endeavored to foster an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding during the Congress, where each person’s voice can be heard and valued, remarked co-chair Sanaya Khambatta-Heerjee. She reminded the attendees to keep in mind the importance of lifting one another up rather than tearing one another down and how real power doesn’t come from retaliation but rather from empathy, compassion and the readiness to provide a helping hand in every way possible to advance the religion. The delegates were exhorted to interact with one another, to challenge one another’s views, and also to coexist harmoniously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kapadia, a senior occupational therapist, and Khambatta-Heerjee, a senior management consultant thanked the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) managing committee, led by Malcolm Deboo, for helping to raise the funds to support the youth with the event. They additionally praised the efforts of their youth committee who would join in the weekly virtual meetings.
A promotional video directed by young filmmaker Ryan Kalifa greeted the delegates in English, Gujarati and Farsi, the three major languages spoken by Zoroastrians across the world: "Welcome to London… London aavi jao… be Landan khosh amadid.” The film featured the Zoroastrian youth of the United Kingdom at popular London landmarks as they met numerous times over the past four years. It was meant to project the organizing committee’s vision "to build lasting friendships, to educate and empower, to inspire a generation, for a more prosperous community, to share the future of our religion in the cultural capital of the world.”
"Living overseas can make our religion seem remote and inaccessible but the film seemed to resonate with many. It helped bridge the understanding that our faith has given so much to the world in ways that many didn’t realize,” commented Kalifa. Incorporating shoots from different locations like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Tower Bridge and the priest reciting prayers at the sanctum at the Zoroastrian Centre, as well as editing them within a tight schedule was a challenge. Fortunately, "the weather stayed sunny every day we filmed, an unusual phenomenon in London,” he added. "Making a film — long or short — is not easy when you have lots of interested, enthusiastic film directors all with their own ideas! But this film wouldn’t have been made without the help of the amazing community here in London that has taken their time to star and support me,” acknowledged Kalifa.
A hand-drawn farohar incorporated within a pedestal depicting the famous London Eye, the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel standing on the South Bank of the River Thames, served as the Congress insignia. The logo created by digital designer Rushad Kolah was flanked by the emblems of the ZTFE and the Serum Institute of India from the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, the main sponsors of the five-day Zoroastrian gathering. "I wanted to create a logo that was unmistakably Zoroastrian and British so it seemed a natural choice to meld one of the most iconic British landmarks with a farohar,” commented Kolah.
Participating in the jashan ceremony presided over by Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada, were young mobeds who have been serving the Zoroastrian community in the UK: Ervad Yazad Bhadha, the resident priest of ZTFE, Ervad Fali Madon, the resident priest of World Zoroastrian Organisation-UK, Ervads Zubin Bhedwar, Yazad Unwalla and Jimmy Madon.
The organizers ensured the proceedings were not only in English. Vista Khosravi, a high spirited young British-Iranian, who was one of the principal planners of the Congress entertainment wing, welcomed the delegates in eloquent Farsi. 
"Our history as Zoroastrians spans millennia, and it is a testament to the resilience of our faith and the values it upholds. It is your responsibility, as the youth of today, to embrace this legacy and carry it forward with pride. The challenges we face may be great, but so too is our capacity to overcome them when we stand united,” stated Kerman Jasavala who presided over the UK Young Zoroastrians from 1994 to 2001 and served as chairperson of the 2nd WZYC which was held in London in 1997. He remarked on how, despite differences, emotions running high, and even tears at times, the teamwork of the youth committee, the ZTFE, and other worldwide players displayed their drive to serve the community and made the 2WZYC held over 25 years ago possible with the participation of 500+ Zoroastrian delegates.
"As I look around this room, I see a vibrant community, unified by our shared heritage, represented by young minds full of passion, curiosity and ambition. It is in this spirit of enthusiasm that we gather today, for this Congress serves as a platform to foster the exchange of ideas, celebrate our cultural heritage, and pave the way for a brighter future for our faith by reigniting connections,” added Jasavala.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The history of Zoroastrians in the UK and the impact the UK community and ZTFE have had on shaping global Zoroastrian identity over the last century-and-a-half was presented by the day’s final speaker, Zamyad Meherji, head of 8WZYC’s marketing team. An account manager at a global AdTech company in London, during his brief speech Meherji emphasized the role of Zoroastrians in British industries and business. He began with the construction of the ship HMS Trincomalee by the Wadia family in the early 1800s to the Tatas acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover in 2008. The delegates were told about notable members of the ZTFE, including former president Dadabhai Naoroji, Maneckji Limji Hataria’s representation to the Queen, the election of Lord Karan Bilimoria to the House of Lords and Sir Ron Kalifa’s recent knighthood.
The presentation also mentioned singer and songwriter Freddie Mercury, Ervad Rustam Bhedwar’s meeting with Pope John Paul II, Prince Philip’s visit to the Zoroastrian Centre in 2011, and the role of stalwarts such as the Zartoshty Brothers Faridoon and Mehraban, Arbab Rustam Guiv and Shahrokh Shahrokh who not only empowered the Zoroastrian community in the UK but were instrumental in strengthening the foundations of ZTFE.
Introducing the 30+ youth committee of the Congress and providing an overview of the demographics of the participating countries amid loud cheers from the smallest to the largest delegation of young Zoroastrians from around the world was master of ceremonies Merzi Mody. While briefing the young delegates on the event’s house rules, Mody, a Sydney-based photographer, rally driver and community leader, reminded them not to forget the Zoroastrian values and ensure a safe environment, with respect and consent being the non-negotiables.
To be continued