ARZ has received tremendous response and support all around for its epoch-making action. ARZ serves the long overdue legitimate demand of the inter-married Zoroastrians and their families who were denied their legitimate religious right to follow the good religion of Zarathushtra, and who were being virtually forced to follow some other religion. Over the years it was repeatedly suggested by the so-called ‘orthodox’ groups, that the liberals set up their own place of worship. ARZ does not think that these ‘orthodox’ have any reason to grumble now that they have taken up this challenge. As a matter of fact the ARZ has met the demands of these ‘orthodox’. Quotes of various Zoroastrians, about the ARZ agenda, are enumerated hereunder:
The intermarried Parsi and their progeny have an equal right to worship Zoroastrianism, but without trying to destroy the original Zoroastrian Institutions. Like the Reformist Jewish community, they can build their own institutions and worship in accordance with their own rules and values
Ervadsaheb Darius N. Sethna
on the TZML Website (his letter dt 4/1/2005 addressed to Parsiana, Jame, Mumbai Samachar, ARZ and others)
In my humble opinion the work that is being done by ARZ is extraordinary and is most certainly for the revival of Zoroastrianism in India
Ervad sahib Khushroo Madon
in Jame Jamshed of 2/10/2005
Mr. Wadia and his team (ARZ) have a quiet, professional calm about the manner in which they are proceeding. With a little bit of luck, ARZ can be the pivot around which an organized reformist movement can be built up.”
Ervad sahib Berjis Desai
in PTA, Mumbai Samachar of 15/5/2005
Construct a hall where such (intermarried) people can worship and where we can have ceremonies. I am ready to serve, to look after it. I don’t want any salary….
Ervad sahib Framroze Mirza
in Parsiana of 7/9/2005
This newly formed ‘Pseudo Zoroastrian Order’ should be welcomed by the orthodox and reformists alike. The Wadia brothers and their sponsors, should be complemented and thanked, for doing the right thing, at the right time and in the right place.
Ervadsaheb Darius N. Sethna
in Jame Jamshed and PTA, Mumbai Samachar of 27/11/2005
The orthodox Jews had done exactly the same by supporting and even financing the setting up of separate places of worship for the inter-married Jews and their family rather than forcing them to follow any other religion, so that both these groups would prosper and be followers of ‘Judaism’. I do not think we Zoroastrians can dispute an idea, whose time has come.”
Ervadsaheb Khushroo Madon
in Jame Jamshed of 4/12/2005
Is this the right move on the part of liberals? We think so… The difficulty of consecrating has not dampened the spirit of ARZ. The philosophy of ARZ is slightly different from the earlier liberal groups which suffer from a high rate of infant mortality.
Ervadsaheb Berjis Desai
in PTA, Mumbai Samachar of 28/8/2005
The existing fire temples are protected by trust deeds that allow entry only to Parsis; and since the constitution grants everyone the right to worship, nobody can be stopped from building a fire temple that could be open to converts.
Mr. Noshir Dadrawalla
Orthodox religious scholar, in Mumbai Mirror of 30/8/2005
I think people should have the freedom to worship in any way they want. If the non-Parsi spouse wants to worship as a Zoroastrian, he or she should be allowed to do so. The community has to think in a less stringent manner if it wants to survive.
Mr. Parvez Damania
Industrialist, in Mumbai Mirror of 24/8/2005
It is fine if a non-Parsi spouse feels the same way about the religion as the Parsi partner and wants to convert. Our prophet converted people to the religion. If Jadhav Rana were alive today, he would have approved of accepting non-Parsi spouses into the religion.
Mr. Hafeez Contractor
Architect, in Mumbai Mirror of 24/8/2005
We want to spread the gospel of Zoroastrianism. Our numbers are going down fast. We have to do something drastic to stop the trend.
Dr.Keky Grant of Ruby Hall Clinic
Pune and Trustee ARZ, in Mumbai Mirror of 24/8/2005
It’s a welcome and long overdue event.
Mr. Jehangir Patel
Editor Parsiana, in Indian Express of 26/8/2005
For years the orthodox lobby has recommended the reformists to set up their own places of worship and facilities for disposing their dead. And now when a certain reformist group has picked up the gauntlet the orthodox are once again feeling threatened. It’s about time the orthodox made up their mind.
Mr. Noshir Dadrawalla
Orthodox religious scholar, in Mumbai Samachar & Jame Jamshed of 8/1/2006
It is a good beginning for us. It makes a difference that the organization (ARZ) is supported by community members who have not married outside.
Ms. Meher Amersey
President, AIMZ in Mumbai Mirror of 26/8/2005
My daughter who has married a non-Parsi was upset when she was denied entrance to a fire temple once, after her marriage. She believes in the Zoroastrian religion. Denying religious rights to women who have married outside their faith and their children is discrimination.
Mr. Naval Surty
in Mumbai Mirror of 26/8/2005
Non-Parsi spouses and children of such couples should be initiated into the Zoroastrian religion if they want to. There should be a freedom of choice. Zoroastrianism is a religion that gives freedom of choice.
Mr. Bapoo Malcolm
in Mumbai Mirror of 26/8/2005
I congratulate the founders of ARZ. They have achieved what no other body of liberals has managed in all these years. What intrigues me is how come they were not intimidated by the ruffians who call themselves orthodox Parsis.
Ms. Katy Divecha
in Jame Jamshed of 4/9/2005
Heartening to see so much goodwill and support being extended to the work done by ARZ. The ARZ now needs to consolidate and expedite the good work initiated by it….God speed ARZ
Mr. Malcolm Anjirbag
in Jame Jamshed of 2/10/2005
Around 40 percent of youngsters are marrying outside the community. By debarring one Zoroastrian, you are throwing out (all successive) generations of that family.
Mr. Vispy N. Wadia
Trustee ARZ, in India Today of 10/10/2005
It is very gratifying to note that at last the above Association is formed in Mumbai (ARZ) with an objective to instill in our community members, the lurking danger of serious drop in our community member numbers and to throw light on the real spirit of Zoroastrianism which of late has been systematically undermined by rabid Orthodox Group…. misguiding the gullible members of our community
Dr. M. D. Disawalla
Banglore, in Parsiana of 21/10/2005
I think the Wadia brothers and above all the two priests who performed the Jashan deserve our community’s heartiest congratulations for standing upto their beliefs and the wishes and dreams of hundreds of Zoroastrians across the globe. The time has finally come and they have opened the doors and minds of many who have only been thinking and wishing for this day.
Ms. Sheraz Bhesania
Vancouver, British Columbia in Parsiana of 21/10/ 2005
The sensible way in which the Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism (ARZ) and Association of Inter Married Zoroastrians (AIMZ) are conducting themselves; with dignity. No snide comments, no rude remarks, no defamation of character, respecting others’ points of view. A handful of young people who have the courage of their conviction have acted. My heart is bursting with pride and I want to send you all my blessings and best wishes for your success.
Ms. Bhicoo Manekshaw
New Delhi in Parsiana of 21/10/2005
if the Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism (ARZ) goes ahead and establishes a dadgah under a suitably constituted trust deed no power on earth can stop them from running it. So ARZ must not get scared but on the contrary start collecting funds and establish a fully consecrated dadgah as per Zoroastrian rites.
Capt. Dara E. Driver
in Parsiana of 7/11/2005
The Wadia brothers are unfazed. Their motto is loud and dear: My religion must survive in my country.
Ms. Kimi Dangore
in India Today of 10/10/2005
Our ancestors had left Iran to save our religion, not our race. They could have very easily saved the race by sacrificing the religion, by staying back in Iran. But to them our religion was more important. The survival of the message of the Prophet was paramount.
Mr. Kerssie N. Wadia
Trustee ARZ, in Jame Jamshed of 15/5/2005
All our institutions like agiyaries, baugs, dokhmas, etc., are governed by trust deeds which clearly specifies that they are meant for Parsi Zoroastrians only. Therefore, other Zoroastrians have no right or claim over these.
Mr. Aspi Billimoria
Trustee ARZ, in Jame Jamshed of 2/10/2005
Show us one instance in the history of any religion, where the spread of religion has harmed the religion.
Mr. Vispy N. Wadia
Trustee ARZ, in Jame Jamshed of 2/10/2005.
The Prophet encouraged conversion, but Parsi women who marry outside the fold are pariahs, debarred from fire temples, from converting their families.
Ms. Farah Baria
in The Indian Express of 26/8/2005
Parsis seek brave new world of reform….Oxygen for a dying community
Mr. Sorab Ghaswalla
in Hindustan Times of 26/8/2005
Zoroastrianism should survive even if Parsis don’t. It’s with this credo that brothers Kerssie and Vispy Wadia founded the Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism (ARZ).
Ms. Zarin Amrolia
in Afternoon Despatch & Courier of 27/8/2005