Loading ...More Than 500 Zoroastrians Ready to ‘IMPACT’ at 14th North American Zoroastrian Congress June 29 to July 2 at the Sheraton Parkway North Hotel in Toronto
The Zoroastrian Society of Ontario (ZSO), in conjunction with FEZANA, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, today announced that more than 500 Zoroastrians will attend IMPACT, the 14th North American Zoroastrian Congress, to be held June 29 to July 2, at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel North in Toronto. The three-day innovative event is being organized by an army of dedicated Toronto-area Zoroastrians.
IMPACT will be highlighted by an array of interactive sessions, including: Zoroastrian history, culture and literature; entrepreneurship; Zarathushtra’s vision; interfaith influences and interactions; the impact of Zoroastrianism on other religions, media perception; preservation in Iran; and health care issues for seniors. All sessions will feature esteemed speakers from a variety of backgrounds, including: well-known Zoroastrian and non-Zoroastrian professors, authors, educators, journalists, entrepreneurs, media personalities and professionals.
Other IMPACT sessions of interest include: ‘Talk with the Titans’ — a live web cast spotlighting prominent Zoroastrians in business, industry and politics from locations throughout the globe; a 20th anniversary and awards celebration for FEZANA; and an evening with the World Zoroastrian Symphony Orchestra. Parallel youth sessions will focus on identity, self-expression and mentoring, among other topics geared toward younger attendees.
“We are pleased to welcome so many Zoroastrians from around the world to our beautiful city of Toronto,” said IMPACT Chair Phee Vania. “I am delighted that Zoroastrians from all walks of life have made the commitment to focus on our majestic religion and relatively small community. Understanding the impact that Zoroastrians have had on civilization will help us realize that each one of us can make a positive impact if only we unleash the spark within!”
FEZANA President Dr. Rustom Kevala offered his thanks and congratulations to the Zoroastrian Society Ontario for leading and coordinating the IMPACT congress with the help of so many dedicated volunteers.
“On behalf of our 25 member associations and 12 associate member groups, we’d like to extend a hearty thank you to the many Toronto-area Zoroastrians who have given their time and talents to help make IMPACT possible,” said Dr. Kevala. “In this our twentieth year, FEZANA is pleased to continue its support and sponsorship of North American Zoroastrian congresses, and we look forward to perpetuating this important tradition that brings together so many Zoroastrians to help advance our North American community.”
Zoroastrianism, founded circa 1500 BCE, is credited to be the oldest monotheistic religion, influencing post-exilic Judaism, which adopted some Zoroastrian beliefs such as the ultimate victory of good over evil and the resurrection of souls. These percepts were then transmitted through Judaism to Christianity, and later to Islam. Zoroastrianism flourished as the imperial religion of three Persian empires, those of the Achaemenians, Parthians and Sasanians, and was the dominant religion from Turkey, and eastward to China during those times. North America’s Zoroastrian community includes those who arrived from the Indian subcontinent, known as Parsis, and those who came directly from Iran seeking religious freedom.
About IMPACT
IMPACT, the 14th North American Zoroastrian Congress will feature innovative speakers and thought-provoking topics encompassing the impact Zoroastrianism has had on civilization. IMPACT will showcase Zoroastrian leadership and success stories in North America and beyond, and will encourage an environment of networking, idea sharing and discussion on everything Zoroastrian from religion to culture, commerce to the arts with a Zoroastrian backdrop, featuring Zoroastrian thought leaders. To register or inquire, visit www.zoro-impact.com.
About FEZANA
Founded in 1987, FEZANA serves as the coordinating body for 25 Zoroastrian associations throughout the United States and Canada. FEZANA promotes the study, understanding and practice of the Zoroastrian faith in North America., represents the interests of its member associations, and carries out philanthropic and charitable activities worldwide. The FEZANA Journal, FEZANA’s official publication, circulates to Zoroastrian households in more than 22 countries, as well as to scholars, academicians and religious organizations worldwide. For more information visit www.fezana.org.
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