Parsis first migrated to the UAE long before its unification in 1971. While Dubai is where the majority settled, it’s capital, Abu Dhabi hosted a smaller but equally thriving community now rising to about 30 plus families. Each weekend, our close-knit group would meet for pot-lucks on Thursdays and bowling on Fridays – the only requirements were a good sense of humour and an appetite to match. Since our numbers are so small, there has never been an official Zoroastrian Association, we were always just known as the ‘Abu Dhabi Bawa Gang’. 

Unfortunately, due to the spread of COVID-19, regular gatherings have come to a halt. Most of the youth no longer live in Abu Dhabi, and the lockdown prevented them from returning to their loved ones. So, it was not long before the group started making suggestions to meet up virtually and globally. From grandkids to grandparents, Abu Dhabi Bawas from all corners of the world were invited. 

The first activity set up on our forum was Bingo and it brought together players from America, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. With nearly 40 participants strong at one point, it was hard to hear who had yelled ‘Fullhouse’ and who was shouting for more Falooda!!  

After a couple of weeks, the lockdown really kicked in and one aunt vocalised what all the bawas were feeling… “Su yaar, I can’t wait a whole week to see you all again!” she lamented. In typical Bawa fashion, the Whatsapp group chat was soon flooded with ideas and funny memes suggesting ways in which the Bawa gang could remain connected. Brimming with these ideas, it dawned on the youth (all of whom live abroad) to step up and organize some more fun!

There soon followed fitness sessions and Bollywood dance classes with the different time zones being part of the fun! We had Australian Bawis dancing away into the night in their pyjamas and Canadian Bawas brewing fresh coffee to the sound of ‘Sheila Ki Jewani’. Magic shows, art lessons and concerts are all in the planning process and our Abu Dhabi Bawa Gang has remained more united than ever. In fact, it’s even given the youth the chance to step away from their hectic schedules and spend more precious time with their childhood friends.  

Beyond the Abu Dhabi Bawa Gang, some of our overseas youth have started their own Zoroastrian initiatives, and have used the lock down period to bring even more unity amongst their Zoroastrian communities. Anaheez Karbhari, Co-Founder of Dhansak and Co., partnered with the Zoroastrian Society of Ontario to host quiz nights, whilst Persis Zack in the UK, has pioneered the first ever Global Zoroastrian Facebook Page, with the immediate uptake of over 10,000 members! 

One takeaway from this experience is that borders and boundaries are only limits if you let them be. The bonds of family and community created in times of health come to light in times of hardship. Thanks to social media and advancing technology, many initiatives have taken place to keep the Zoroastrian community together and bring unity even in the face of adversity!