Pakistan's fading Parsi community

[ghazi52]

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Pakistan's fading Parsi community

Izdeyar Setna working at his studio in Karachi.

Veera Rustomji, a member of Karachi's dwindling Parsi community, displays clothing to be used in prayers while speaking during an interview in Karachi.

Pakistani Parsi priests Jehangir Noshik (L) and Jal Dinshaw (R) sitting at an Agyari (Fire Temple) in Karachi.

Pakistani Parsi priest walking past a temple in Karachi.

Pakistani Parsi priest Jal Dinshaw gesturing while standing at their Agyari (Fire Temple) in Karachi.

A general view of the graveyard of Parsis also known as the "Tower of silence" in Karachi.

A Pakistani Parsi man looking at a religious monument in Karachi.

KARACHI: For more than 1,000 years, Parsis have thrived in South Asia but an ageing population and emigration to the West driven by instability in Pakistan means the tiny community of "fire worshippers" could could soon be consigned to the country's history books.

The ancestors of today's Parsis in Pakistan — followers of Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest religions — fled Persia over a millennium ago for the safety of the western Indian subcontinent.

Legend has it Parsi leader Jadi Rana made a pledge to the then emperor of India that Zoroastrians, known in the region as Parsis, would not be a burden but would blend in like sugar into milk.

But today they are a fading people across the subcontinent, with many affluent families from India and Pakistan leaving for the West.

The community, which has long been active in business and charity, has been unnerved by the upsurge in Islamist extremist violence. One expert said the loss of the Parsis in the society would be a "huge blow" to Pakistan's diversity.

Only around 1,500 are left in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, where they have "fire temples", community centres and final resting places also known as the "Tower of silence" — where the remains of their dead are left in the open to be consumed by vultures according to their tradition.

Parsis are often called "fire worshippers" because their religion considers fire — together with water — as agents of purity and fires are lit as part of religious ceremonies.

A man standing inside a fire temple in Karachi.

They have long been discreet in observing their faith, but some, like 23-year-old art student Veera Rustomji, think they need to do more to preserve their heritage.

"It's been successful that we have been an unattacked and unharmed community because of our low profile," she said at her studio at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVSAA).

"But at the same time it backfires because a lot of people focus on how the community is becoming small numerically."

Business leaders

Rustomji has traced her family's past in Hong Kong, where Parsis founded a university, a ferry service and hospitals. It is this link to business as well as charity that Byram Avari ─ the head of the Avari, one of Pakistan's leading luxury hotel groups ─ said has allowed the community to build an enduring relationship with Karachi.

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[ghazi52]

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"Before partition the ladies maternity home called Lady Dufferin hospital was put up by the Parsis, the NED University of Engineering and Technology, DOW medical college, the Spencer Eye hospital and I cannot tell you how many numerous things have been set up by the Parsis for the people of Karachi," he told AFP.

Parsis believe "in giving back what they had", he added.

But today young Parsis are leaving in droves. The past decade has seen Islamist violence soar, with religious minorities often in the extremists' cross-hairs. While Parsis have not been specifically targeted, many feel vulnerable.

'We cannot see a future'
"There is a general instability in the country. Because of this we cannot see a future for our community here right now," says Kaivan Solan, a 27-year-old training to become a priest.

Izdeyar Setna, 37, a freelance photographer with a slew of international clients, added that Parsis were seeking new lives in countries with larger Parsi communities, such as Canada.

Izdeyar Setna, a member of Karachi's Parsi community, speaks to AFP during an interview at his studio in Karachi.

"I think most people are leaving because of a few reasons. One is security. The way things are, people are scared not knowing if things are going to get better," he said.

"So I think they are trying to get out. Most people are going to Canada, or the USA, wherever it is easy to get the visa."

In the city's Parsi neighbourhood, the rotting stench of death emanates from the Tower of Silence, a large circular structure where the bones of the dead are kept in accordance with Zoroastrian practice.

For many, these traditions must go on and the compound provides a sense of belonging.

It is home to dozens of Parsi families but many have now hired armed guards because of attempts to seize their land by a neighbouring Muslim community.

"Losing a community like the Parsis is definitely a huge blow to a tolerant Pakistan, its cultural diversity and economic well-being as Parsis have contributed immensely to the progress of this country," said Rabia Mehmood, a researcher on religious minorities at the Jinnah Institute think tank.

Not all the threats faced by Parsis are external. They are already facing a low birth rate and their marriage laws are extremely strict, forcing women to leave the community if they "marry out" — though men marrying non-Parsis is tolerated.

"I would love to [marry] if I find the right person, but it's difficult because the numbers are so small," Rustomji, the student, said.

Growing up in such a close-knit society, familiarity can breed contempt, she said.

"I grew up in Karachi and all the Parsi boys I know since I was 10. It's just science that I wouldn't just fall in love with them when I turn 28," she said, referring to the age by which most Pakistani women get married.

"When Parsi men marry out of the community, they are undeniably accepted more and unquestioned ... I find that very hypocritical because Zoroastrianism is a religion that advocates equality for both sexes."
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[[Bregs]]

Parsis are going to be extinct soon as they expel every obe from community if he/she is not parsi.

 

[ghazi52]

Parsis are going to be extinct soon as they expel every obe from community if he/she is not parsi.

True.
I think they do not marry non- parsi.

 

[Indus Falcon]

Parsis are going to be extinct soon as they expel every obe from community if he/she is not parsi.

Haiiiinnnnnnnnn?

How can a Parsi expel someone who is not a parsi?

 

[[Bregs]]

Haiiiinnnnnnnnn?

How can a Parsi expel someone who is not a parsi?

suppose a Parsi man marries a girl from other community then that family is expelled from community which is not in case in other religions

True.
I think they do not marry non- parsi.

exactly if a girl from other religion marries a parsi boy the children born to them are not treated as parsi

 

[vsdoc]

Legend has it Parsi leader Jadi Rana made a pledge to the then emperor of India that Zoroastrians, known in the region as Parsis, would not be a burden but would blend in like sugar into milk.

Jadi Rana was the Hindu king. Not the Parsi.

 

[RazorMC]

Not enough birth-rate and aversion to bring others in is leading to dwindling numbers.

 

[Indus Falcon]

suppose a Parsi man marries a girl from other community then that family is expelled from community which is not in case in other religions



exactly if a girl from other religion marries a parsi boy the children born to them are not treated as parsi

Plus the low birth rate, talk about shooting yourself int he foot!

 

[vsdoc]

In the city's Parsi neighbourhood, the rotting stench of death emanates from the Tower of Silence, a large circular structure where the bones of the dead are kept in accordance with Zoroastrian practice.

For many, these traditions must go on and the compound provides a sense of belonging.

A level of sensationalism here. Don't know whether Karachi uses the solar concentrators yet, but most Towers of Silence in India do, with the dwindling population of vultures in urban centers.

Be that as it may, these Towers of Silence are scientifically built, and even in cities like Pune, with a relatively large Parsi population, with the Tower of Silence in the middle of a big dnsely populated locality, there has never been any stench.

suppose a Parsi man marries a girl from other community then that family is expelled from community which is not in case in other religions

exactly if a girl from other religion marries a parsi boy the children born to them are not treated as parsi

Incorrect.

Parsis follow the patrilineal system.

Children of Parsi man Non-Parsi woman are allowed to have their Navjote ceremony and beome full-fledged Zoroastrians.

The reverse is what is not allowed.

 

[Pakistanisage]

Sadly , Parsis are fading from all countries of South Asia.

I had Parsi friends when I was growing up in Karachi and they had a very distinct Culture.

I met some Indian Parsis in UK and they did not have any remnants of Parsi culture. I can say without prejudice that there was no difference between them and other educated Indians.

It is sad to see that distinct Parsi culture disappear and be subsumed by more dominant Cultures of India and Pakistan.

 

[[Bregs]]

A level of sensationalism here. Don't know whether Karachi uses the solar concentrators yet, but most Towers of Silence in India do, with the dwindling population of vultures in urban centers.

Be that as it may, these Towers of Silence are scientifically built, and even in cities like Pune, with a relatively large Parsi population, with the Tower of Silence in the middle of a big dnsely populated locality, there has never been any stench.



Incorrect.

Parsis follow the patrilineal system.

Children of Parsi man Non-Parsi woman are allowed to have their Navjote ceremony and beome full-fledged Zoroastrians.

The reverse is what is not allowed.

if this is the case then there population shall not fall so fast ?

 

[vsdoc]

if this is the case then there population shall not fall so fast ?

Bro years ago I had discussed all of this here on a long thread on Parsis.

Right now I'm chilling. Have done my bit. Hope my kids will do the same.

Aage kisne dekha hai?

We have been around for thousands of years. Even if the Parsis die, based on what I heard from Iranians here those years ago, I am pretty confident that our ancient faith will live on. Even prosper.

 

[Squashh]

Zoe and Rachel Viccaji of Coke studio are also Parsi.

 

[vsdoc]

Zoe and Rachel Viccaji of Coke studio are also Parsi.

I heard half Parsi half Christian?