A remarkable initiative dedicated to preserving the migration stories of the Zoroastrian community has gained widespread recognition in the United Kingdom, with the Zoroastrian Stories of Migration Project currently featured at the Stories of Harrow exhibition, at Headstone Manor & Museum, in London. Led by the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE), the project forms part of a larger heritage programme celebrating the diverse communities that have shaped Harrow’s history. Running from 4^th May to 31^st August 2026, the exhibition showcases sixteen community heritage projects and has already attracted significant public and media attention.

The project recently featured on BBC London News and BBC Radio London’s Bobby Friction Show, bringing national attention to the rich and often untold migration experiences of Zoroastrians who made Britain their home.

Spearheaded by Shiraz Sethna, with Shazneen Munshi and Ruby Sethna as part of the core team, the initiative has spent over eighteen months documenting the journeys of predominantly Harrow-based Zoroastrians. To date, twenty-eight oral history interviews have been recorded, capturing personal accounts of migration, adaptation, resilience and achievement.

Explaining the motivation behind the project, Shiraz Sethna noted that when a community member passes away, their life story is often lost forever. The project, she said, “is about ensuring that these stories, experiences and memories are not lost but preserved for future generations.”

The idea originated from a long-standing desire within the community to document the migration experiences of Zoroastrians, particularly those connected to Harrow, home to the ZTFE’s Zoroastrian Centre. Although many community members undertook extraordinary journeys from India, Iran, East Africa and elsewhere, their stories largely remained undocumented.

The opportunity to bring the vision to life came through a National Lottery Heritage Fund programme delivered by Harrow Giving and Voluntary Action Harrow. Following a successful funding application in 2024, the Zoroastrian Stories of Migration Project was selected alongside fifteen other local heritage initiatives.

The oral histories collected through the project will be permanently preserved within the archives of Headstone Manor & Museum and the ZTFE, ensuring that future generations can hear these stories in the voices of those who experienced them firsthand.

The work has taken on added significance as many members of the generation that migrated to Britain during the colonial era are now in their later years. Since recording began, two participants have sadly passed away, underlining the urgency of preserving these personal histories while they can still be shared.

Beyond the interviews, the project has evolved into a broader community-building initiative. It has hosted intergenerational workshops, creative arts programmes, filmmaking projects, poetry sessions and musical activities inspired by migration experiences. New partnerships have also been forged with other communities, including the Oshwal Jain community, fostering greater understanding of shared migration journeys.

Visitors to the exhibition can view a fascinating collection of Zoroastrian artefacts, including traditional garments, jewellery, devotional objects, Khordeh Avesta prayer books in various scripts and personal documents belonging to migrants who settled in Britain from India, Iran, East Africa and other parts of the world.

The exhibition opening drew the Mayor of Harrow, local Members of Parliament, community leaders and members of the public, reflecting growing interest in preserving the stories that have helped shape modern Britain.

Reflecting on the project’s impact, Ruby Sethna shared, “Some people initially felt they didn’t really have a story to tell. Yet every single story has been extraordinary. Each one has been a gift… this project has brought us closer together as a community and ensured that these remarkable journeys will not be forgotten.”

As the project continues to grow, additional migration stories are being edited and prepared for publication, further enriching this invaluable archive of community history. By preserving these personal journeys, memories and experiences, the initiative is creating a lasting legacy for future generations. The project also reflects the enduring commitment of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE), the oldest South Asian religious voluntary organisation in the UK. Founded in 1861 following an appeal by Seth Muncherji Hormasji Cama to Dadabhai Naoroji and other community leaders, ZTFE has remained dedicated to preserving and promoting Zoroastrian heritage for over 165 years, making this latest initiative a fitting continuation of its historic mission.

Pic Courtesy: Niaz McCarthy & ZTFE