A message from  Dr. Esfandiar Ekhtiari, Iran

Zoroastrian representative of the Iranian parliament

In the name of Ahura Mazda

We are so thankful to the faravahar of Asho Zarathustra Espantaman and give our thanks to the people who have lost their souls to the greatness of Iran.

With having the Seventh World Zoroastrian Youth Congress, I would like to thank all our youths and everyone that help make it happen.  Considering that we are all scattered around the world, to have such a congress is very important and is the first step for our youth to come together and participate.  This congress can bring the strengths of our societies and our communities from all over the world together. It has been a long time since we last gathered together like this and we must take advantage of this opportunity to make it the very best that we can.

The most important principle of the World Zoroastrian Youth Congress is for all the youths from all over the world to get together in one place.  However, we should have it in a country that all Zoroastrians from all corners of the world would be able to attend.  Unfortunately, this year many youths from Iran were not able to attend and be with you today because they were not granted visas. They even tried applying through consulates in different countries with heavy expenses but they were still denied.

I am hoping that in the future, we can organize congresses in countries that welcome and grant visas to all Zoroastrian youths regardless of their citizenship.

The youth are our future and I am hoping that coming together with our good thoughts, good words and good deeds that we are able to make our Zarthustri faith stronger.

I would like to give my thanks to all of the participants and I would like to wish everyone a successful congress.

Dr. Esfandiar Ekhtiari