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{{Short description|North American Zoroastrian organization}}
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The '''Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America''' ('''FEZANA''') is an umbrella organization that represents and unites the Zoroastrian associations in North America. Founded in 1987, its primary goals include promoting the study and understanding of the Zoroastrian religion, culture, and history, as well as facilitating communication and collaboration among its member associations. FEZANA also works to support charitable activities and community development projects within the Zoroastrian community and beyond.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fezana.org/|title=FEZANA Official Website|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>

==History==
In 1986, a conference for North American Zoroastrians was held in Chicago to organize the federation.  It was registered as a charitable corporation under Illinois law in 1987.<ref name="EC"/>

== Member associations ==

FEZANA comprises several member associations across North America. Some of the notable member associations include:

===Zoroastrian Association of California (ZAC)===
Established in 1974, ZAC is based in Southern California and is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the religious, cultural, and social values of Zoroastrianism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zaca.org/|title=ZAC Official Website|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>

===Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAMC)===
Founded in 1975, ZAMC serves the Zoroastrian community in the Chicago metropolitan area, providing religious, cultural, and educational resources for its members.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zoroastrians.net/|title=ZAMC Official Website|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>  Early Zoroastrians came a students from Asia in the 20th century.  In 1983, the first purpose built ''dahrbe mehr'' (worship center) in North America was opened by ZMAC.<ref name="EC">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Zoroastrians |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Chicago |publisher= Chicago Historical Society and The Newberry Library |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/3626.html |last=Numrich |first=Paul D. |publication-date=2005}}</ref>

===Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York (ZAGNY)===
Established in 1973, ZAGNY caters to the needs of the Zoroastrian community in the Greater New York area. The association organizes various cultural, social, and religious events for its members.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zagny.org/|title=ZAGNY Official Website|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>

===Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH)===
Founded in 1976, ZAH serves the Zoroastrian community in Houston, Texas, and aims to promote religious and cultural understanding among its members and the wider community.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zah.org/|title=ZAH Official Website|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>

In the 1970s Zoroastrians began arriving to Houston. Originally they worshipped in private residences.<ref name="Barden-Smithdiversity">{{cite web|author=Barden-Smith, St. John|url=https://www.chron.com/local/history/culture-scene/article/Temples-of-the-gods-Houston-s-religious-10098734.php|title=Temples of the gods: Houston's religious diversity reflects community |work=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=2016-10-23|accessdate=2018-07-12}}</ref> The Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) was established in 1976.<ref>"[http://zah.org/ Home]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140102082341/http://zah.org/ Archive]). Zoroastrian Association of Houston. Retrieved on May 2, 2014.</ref> The Zarathushti Heritage and Cultural Center, in [[Southwest Houston]] opened in the 1990s.<ref name=Barden-Smithdiversity/>

Of the [[Zoroastrian]] groups in Houston, as of 2000, the main ones are [[Iranian peoples|Iranians]] and [[Parsis]]. As of that year the total number of Iranians in Houston of all religions is, on a 10 to 1 basis, larger than the total Parsi population.<ref name=Rustomjip249>Rustomji, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=AT57AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA249 249].</ref> As of 2000 within Houston there were about 12<!--a dozen--> Zoroastrian priests there. Yezdi Rustomji, author of ''The Zoroastrian Center: An Ancient Faith in Diaspora'', stated that they were "variously divided in matters of [[Zarathushtrian]] orthodoxy."<ref name=Rustomjip245>[https://books.google.com/books?id=AT57AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA245 245 Yezdi Rustomji, ''The Zoroastrian Center: An Ancient Faith in Diaspora''], Googlebooks.</ref>

As of 2000 the ZAH is majority Parsi. Rustomji wrote that because of that and the historic tensions between the Parsi and Iranian groups, the Iranians in Houston did not become full members of the ZAH. Rustomji stated that Iranian Zoroastrians "attend religious functions sporadically and remain tentative about their ability to fully integrate, culturally and religiously, with Parsis."<ref name=Rustomjip249/> In 1996 the Iranian population had its largest attendance at a ZAH event when it attended ''Jashne-e-Sade'', an event the community created for ZAH. By 2000 some Muslim Iranians who were opposed to fundamentalism in the mosques began attending Zoroastrian events. Rustomji wrote in 2000 that between 2000 and 2005, Iranians were expected to make up a greater proportion of ZAH.<ref name=Rustomjip249/>

{{As of|2016}} there were 650 Zoroastrians in Houston. Around that period they had plans to build a [[fire temple]].<ref name=Barden-Smithdiversity/> The fire temple, Bhandara Atash Kadeh in Southwest Houston, opened in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gray, Lisa|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Zoroastrian-fire-temple-opens-in-Houston-13726958.php|title=Zoroastrian 'fire temple' opens in Houston|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2019-03-29|accessdate=2019-04-18}}</ref> On April 6, 2024, [[Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran|Prince Reza Pahlavi]] and [[Yasmine Pahlavi|Princess Yasmine Pahlavi]] visited the Bhandara Atash Kadeh temple and actively participated in the [[Yasna|Yasna ceremony]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/jasonrothfuller/p/C5d7qnvgtJx/ |title=Yesterday I had the honor of joining HIH Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and HIH Crown Princess Yasmine Pahlavi during their visit to Houston. |website=[[Instagram|Instagram.com/JasonRothFuller]] |date=7 April 2024 |access-date=21 June 2025 |quote=...&nbsp;We began the morning at the Bhandara Atash Kadeh Zoroastrian temple for prayers as he discussed his journey to visit places of worship around the world to support all religions practiced by Iranians.&nbsp;...'}}</ref> During his visit, Reza Pahlavi stated "[[Zoroastrianism]] is intertwined with Iranian history and civilization. Yasmine and I visited the Zoroastrian fire temple in Houston to honor this [[Zoroastrianism in Iran|indigenous Iranian faith]] and show [[Persecution of Zoroastrians|solidarity]] with our [[Religion in Iran#Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian compatriots]] and the [[Parsis|Parsi community]]. Zoroastrianism, this [[Avestan period|ancient Iranian faith]], has had a [[History of Iran#Classical antiquity|critical role]] in the development and progress of our [[Greater Iran|great civilization]]. And I am convinced that its influence will only continue to grow as we see among our youth today."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://x.com/PahlaviReza/status/1777701259438444707 |title=Yasmine and I visited the Zoroastrian fire temple in Houston to honor this indigenous Iranian faith and show solidarity with our Zoroastrian compatriots and the Parsi community. |website=[[Twitter|X.com/PahlaviReza]] |date=9 April 2024 |access-date=21 June 2025 |quote=...&nbsp;Zoroastrianism is intertwined with Iranian history and civilization. Yet today, like other religious groups, Zoroastrians face discrimination and oppression. Yasmine and I visited the Zoroastrian fire temple in Houston to honor this indigenous Iranian faith and show solidarity with our Zoroastrian compatriots and the Parsi community. In the free Iran, all Iranians will once again be able to freely practice their faiths.&nbsp;...}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://x.com/KayhanLife/status/1777447618383356259 |title=Sound on - On April 6, 2024, Prince Reza Pahlavi and Princess Yasmine Pahlavi of Iran visited the Zoroastrian Temple in Houston, Texas, and actively participated in the temple’s ritual. The Atash Kadeh Temple, located in Houston, Texas, is a Zoroastrian Fire Temple that opened its doors in 2019. It is the first temple in the United States equipped to perform a full range of traditional Zoroastrian rituals, including the consecration of priests. |website=[[Twitter|X.com]][[Kayhan London|/KayhanLife]] |date=8 April 2024 |access-date=21 June 2025 |quote=...&nbsp;Zoroastrianism, this ancient Iranian faith, has had a critical role in the development and progress of our great civilization. And I am convinced that its influence will only continue to grow as we see among our youth today.&nbsp;...}}</ref>

===Zoroastrian Association of British Columbia (ZABC)===
Established in 1985, ZABC is based in Vancouver, Canada, and works to foster a sense of community among Zoroastrians in British Columbia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zoroastrianbc.com/|title=ZABC Official Website|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>

== Activities and programs ==

FEZANA undertakes various activities and programs to support its objectives, such as:

*Scholarships: FEZANA provides scholarships to Zoroastrian students in North America for undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fezana.org/scholarships/|title=FEZANA Scholarships|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>
*Publications: FEZANA publishes a quarterly journal, "FEZANA Journal," which covers topics related to Zoroastrian religion, culture, history, and contemporary issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fezana.org/publications/|title=FEZANA Journal|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>
*Interfaith Relations: FEZANA actively engages in interfaith dialogue and activities to promote understanding, tolerance, and cooperation among different religious communities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fezana.org/interfaith-relations/|title=FEZANA Interfaith Relations|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>
*Youth Programs: FEZANA organizes youth camps, workshops, and leadership programs to empower the younger generation within the Zoroastrian community.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fezana.org/youth/|title=FEZANA Youth Programs|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>
*Charitable and Philanthropic Activities: FEZANA supports various charitable initiatives and community development projects, both within the Zoroastrian community and in the broader society.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fezana.org/philanthropy/|title=FEZANA Philanthropy|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>

== Governance and structure ==

FEZANA is governed by an elected Board of Directors, which comprises the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four Directors. The Board is responsible for overseeing the organization's activities, setting its strategic direction, and ensuring that it adheres to its mission and objectives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fezana.org/about-fezana/board-of-directors/|title=FEZANA Board of Directors|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>

In addition to the Board, FEZANA has several committees and working groups, which focus on specific areas such as education, interfaith relations, public relations, and youth activities. These committees and working groups are composed of volunteers from the Zoroastrian community and work collaboratively to support the organization's initiatives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fezana.org/about-fezana/committees/|title=FEZANA Committees|accessdate=2023-05-05}}</ref>

==Related pages==
*[[Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe]]
*[[Zoroastrianism]]
*[[Parsi]]
*[[Zoroastrianism in the United States]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.fezana.org/ FEZANA]

{{Zoroastrianism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America}}
[[Category:Religious organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Zoroastrian organizations]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1987]]