The Zoroastrian Association Of California (ZAC) was proud to host an Interfaith celebration of “Renovating our World with Good Thoughts, Good words and Good Deeds”, jointly with the World Interfaith Network and the Unity-and-Diversity World Council, at the ZAC Center on 19th February, 2017.

The purpose was to promote the spirit of unity within diversity in humanity, and this was amply portrayed by the large number of speakers, who spontaneously volunteered to be a part of this celebration. Meher Amalsad was the MC for the event, conducting the proceedings with wit and humor. The celebration was organized by Zarrir Bhandara who initiated the whole event with the chanting of Zoroastrian prayers.  Perinne Medhora, committee member, presented a warm welcome to the attendees, followed by a hymn, sung by the ZAC priest, Zarrir Bhandara.
The list of speakers was impressive, starting with Rev. Leland Stewart, Founder and Central Co-coordinator of the Unity and Diversity World Council, and author of books on world religions. He was followed by Bishop Obispo Juan Carlos Mendes of Centro Cristiano Bet-El in South Gate – a leader of social justice and pastor for the last 32 years. Dr. Ardeshir Anoshiravani, from CZC, talked about good destroying evil and how in Persian,  Angre (The angry thoughts) is destroyed by ‘Spenta’ (the good thoughts).

The Bahai faith, founded in the 19th century, followed with a speech by Mr. Farhad Shahriary, discussed the love of humanity and read paragraphs written by

Bahá u lláh, the founder of the Bahai faith and the founder’s quote which made a huge impact on the crowd, “The world is but One Country and Mankind its Citizens”.

The Brahma Kumari’s World Spiritual Organization, was represented by Liza Haddad who spoke of how “we, God’s children, all belong to one global family”. Next came the very erudite Homi Gandhi, President of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), who has been awarded the ‘Temple of Understanding’s Interfaith Visionary Award (2010)’; also the  honorary president of ‘Religions for Peace International World Council’ and ex-treasurer for ‘Religions for Peace USA Council’; and is a vocal climate control and environmental advocate, having presented papers at numerous conferences globally.  He spoke of the tenements of the Zoroastrian religion, ‘Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds’.

The Hindu faith was represented by Dr. Rini Ghosh, who talked of Vedanta’s Advaita philosophy; Islam was represented by Duaa Alwan, who spoke of a very prominent quote by Prophet Muhammad which says, ‘Love for others what you love for yourself’. Erica Wilson, from Unity and Diversity World Council and a retired professor of Comparative Religions, stated her belief that science and religion were totally connected.  Susanna Foo Rios, worked for the Church of Scientology for 18 years, and shared how Scientology is reaching out and helping others in their time of need, followed by religions expert Wilma Striebeck who talked of reaching the same goals through different methods by different faiths.

Finally, Priest Zarrir Bhandara talked about Good thoughts, Good words and Good Deeds, emphasizing that if everyone followed these three principles, the world would be living in peace. He quoted the Zoroastrian scriptures, saying how energy flows where the attention goes. He talked of how Prophet Zarathrustra said that you are the maker of your own destiny. He said, “We all have the super power of our good and positive thoughts, and if we use our supernatural powers within us, we could make the world a more positive and better place.” He asked us to be more receptive in receiving God’s blessings to renew and renovate ourselves with these three simple principles in life.
Each of the representatives, lit a candle from one main candle, thereby summarizing the thread that a candle looses nothing by lighting another candle and yet helps to light another one! Therefore each faith can help another and do good, and not lose sight of its own uniqueness. To very aptly sum up we are all one big global family of faiths and serve one God and if we all worked together in peace and harmony the world would be a wonderful place with happiness and thankfulness all around.