End-of-term recreational camp arranged by Porouchista Institute

By Manuchehr Arghavani, Amordad correspondent
YAZD (Amordadnews): Shirin Mobarakeh School hosted the recreational camp of Yazd Porouchista Institute on occasion of the end of the term of its religion classes.
In this camp more than 40 students of the classes and their teachers and members of the Board of Directors participated.  Bahram Demehri, a member of the Board of Directors of this Institute, welcomed the participants to the camp and gave some explanation about the programs that were planned for this camp.

Mehraban Afarin expressed his pleasure for having had the honour of being the teacher of the religion classes for two years and for reciting and interpreting the Avesta from the beginning to the end, twice, together with the students, during the course of the classes.
He thanked Parvin Farkhani, the Institute Principal, and also her husband, Shahbahram Mali, as one of the founders of the Institute.  He said: “In these two years the number of ladies who underwent these courses was more than the gentlemen.  I wish that more of our gentlemen would come and benefit from these classes.”  Afarin added: “A person can only claim of having the religion when he/she knows the meaning of the word “religion”, has true and indepth knowledge and believes in the guidance of his/her religion. It is not enough to carry the name of our religion with ourselves.  How ideal it would be if the young Zoroastrians would participate in these classes.”  He thanked Pouran Zandiyan for helping him in many ways.  Regarding increasing of awareness among the young members of our community, he said: “Our young people think that our customs and religious ceremonies to be superstitious, because they have not been given the necessary information and knowledge.  Therefore, it is important to work more on giving awareness and information about our religion to our community and let them have a better understanding and knowledge.  In this case only our religion will remain alive and strong.  This knowledge and awareness can be disseminated, for instance, in our festivals, celebrations and pilgrimages.”  At the end, he gave some explanation on the “Chahar Shanbeh Souri” celebrations (the last Wednesday of the year) and said that this day is not specifically for Zoroastrians to celebrate, but it has roots in our traditions and culture.
The next to speak was Parvin Farkhani.  She welcomed the participants and also complained of those who were invited but did not participate.  She thanked Bahram Demehri for supporting the Institute for arranging such programs.

She presented a give of appreciation to Mobed Afarin, the religion class teacher, and stated that he had attended the classes without any absence or delay, and that holding such classes had brought blessings and flourish for this Institute.

After lunch, some recreation programs were performed and finally, a birthday celebration was given for Mrs Khorshid, the oldest member of Porouchista.

 

Translation by Rowshan Lohrasbpour