By far, the largest number of Parsis are in Singapore, followed by Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei. Some of the incidental Objects of the Association are: "promoting the knowledge and understanding of the Zoroastrian religion" and "looking after and maintaining the Parsi Burial Ground and assisting the Public Trustee in the management of the Parsi Lodge Charity"
One of its subcommittees helped in enhancing the understanding of the Zoroastrian faith amongst the Parsi community. The Religious Education Sub-committee's main objective was to disseminate knowledge and understanding of the Zoroastrian religion amongst the members of the Association. Co-ordinated by Mr Phiroze Medora, members of this sub-committee included Mr Kersi Aspar, Mrs Nergish Doctor, Mrs Roshan Mistri, Mrs Freny Bhesania and Ervad Percy Khambatta.
The committee organised seminars and talks by scholars such as Prof. Kaikhosrov Irani; Mr Khojeste Mistree and Mrs Meher-Master Moos. It also produced and circulated stories from the Shahname by Firdausi and translations of the basic Kusti prayers. At the request of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), Ervad Percy Khambatta and Mr Kersi Aspar have participated in prayers held by the inter-faith group.
Author
Phiroze N. Medora
References
Extracted from unpublished papers authored by Phiroze N. Medora (President, Parsi Association from 21 March 2001) with his kind permission.
The information in this article is valid as at 2002 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
