Followers of 3,000 year old religion meet

Zoroastrians at Penn gathered for their monthly meeting at the Greenfield Intercultural Center on Saturday. The group, which consists of about 20 members from the University and the area, hopes to "promote discussion and interaction of Zoroastrians," said co-founder Diana Dadachanji, records assistant for the College. Dadachanji said that she intends to continue the monthly meetings at Greenfield. By continuing the meetings, she hopes to open up a forum of discussion and promote awareness and interaction between all University Zoroastrians. Zoroastrianism, which dates to the seventh or eight century B.C., is considered one of the earliest religions to embrace monotheistic ideas. Discussion and interaction are only a small part of the group's purpose. Dadachanji is in the process of gaining recognition for Zoroastrianism as an official religion at the University. Although the University chaplain has officially recognized Zoroastrianism as a University religion, the registrar and admissions office are still considering the request, Dadachanji said. Official recognition by the University may bring about another one of the group's goals – a course in the College curriculum dedicated to Zoroastrianism. Due to its small following, consist ing of no more than 200 followers in the tri-state area, the history and principles of Zoroastrianism are known by few, Dadachanji said. Not long after Zoroastrianism's inception, the emergence of Islam in the lands of ancient Persia resulted in the conversion and persecution of Zoroastrians. Groups of Zoroastrians emigrated to India, where Zoroastrianism was tolerated, starting in the 10th century. The Indian Zoroastrians, or Parsis, adopted many of the Indian and Hindu customs. However, the principle maxim of "good thoughts, good words and good actions" remains true to both the Parsis and the Iranian Zoroastrians. The elements of nature play a significant role in the religion. The most important element is fire, which represents light and goodness. "The absence of light is dark and the absence of good is evil," ordained Zoroastrian priest Noshir Karanjia said. "God is light and God is good." Unlike Islamic social beliefs, Zoroastrians believe that "men and women are one," according to Wharton junior Hedyeh Parsia. "They are on an equal basis." However simple and appealing Zoroastrianism may appear to some, conversion is disallowed, which is the main reason for the small size of the Zoroastrianism following. "Zoroastrians consider your religion as the best for yourself," Karanjia said. "Conversion is not permitted because once you convert someone, you stamp your religion as the best."