From Zubin Mehta

March 1, 2004

To whom it may concern:

I am very happy to lend my support to o film project about Zoroastrianism, the religion that I was born into.
Zoroastrianism was revealed in ancient Persia and gave the world the concepts of monotheism and individual judgment. Cyrus the Great, a Persian, Zoroastrian emperor gave the world the first human rights charter. The religion flourished as the, imperial religion of three mighty Persian empires and was the dominant religion from Turkey to China until the rise of Islam.

Today, however, there are only 200,000 practicing Zoroastrians in the world.

This film - Zoroastrianism: Ancient Religion, Modern Decisions, will look at why the numbers have decreased so drastically over the years.

Another important part of the film, and one that I personally find fascinating, is the exploration into the historical and theological similarities between the Jews and the Zoroastrians'. The film will do this by examining the status of Zoroastrians who are living in present day Iran and are being discriminated against. Stories of Zoroastrian lands being confiscated, and of Zoroastrian individuals being discriminated against in career situations wilt be told by a Zoroastrian who faced this discrimination first hand. His incredible story of seeking political asylum in America, with the help and intervention of a Jewish immigrant aid society will be fleshed out in the film.

In today's post 9/11 world this story of religious solidarity and pluralism is a very important one and one that must be told and shared with the world, I strongly endorse this project and the talented, film-maker, Tenaz Dubash, who is directing and producing it. I ask each and every one of you to open your hearts and support this venture in any and every way that you can.

Sincerely,

Zubin Mehta

November 16, 2004

Dear Ms. Dubash:
Thank you for submitting the trailer for your work-in-progress, Zoroastrianism: Ancient Religion, Modern Decisions, which I have screened. -As one of (no doubt) many Americans who know little, if anything, about this ancient religious tradition, I found the trailer intriguing. Some of the themes you intend to explore—particularly the efforts of young adherents to better understand their faith in the context of the modern world, and the experiences of converts to the religion who were perhaps raised in other traditions—offer an effective and affecting avenue into the topic for-viewers to whom Zoroastrianism is something of a mystery. Judging from the tone of the trailer as well as your own journalistic background, I gather the film is intended not as proselytization but as a straightforward portrait of the religion and its followers, and as such, I think it would be of potential interest to public television viewers. I would be quite willing to screen the completed film and consider it for possible broadcast in Boston on WGBH. Good luck as you proceed with the project. I look forward to seeing the finished product.
Sincerely,

Ron Bachman