Godrej Sidhwa
Encyclopedia
Ervad Godrej Sidhwa was born in Karachi
, Pakistan
, in 1925, and studied Avesta, Pahalvi, Persian & Pazend languages, plus Ancient Iranian literature at M.F. Cama Athornan Institute, Andheri, Mumbai, for 6 years. He got initiated into the Zoroastrian priesthood by going through the Navar and Maratab initiation ceremony from Iranshah Atash Behram, Udvada, India. His initiation as a priest accounts for the "Ervad" ('Reverend') title.
Godrej has been the instructor of Zoroastrianism and Ancient Iranian History at the B.V.S. Parsi High School and Mama Parsi Secondary School, Karachi
, for the last 45 years. He was appointed as the Honorary Lecturer in Zoroastrian Theology at colleges in Karachi for the Zoroastrian students. He was also appointed as Examiner in Zoroastrian Theology by the University of Karachi
, Pakistan, for the Bachelor’s degree program. After the demise of Dasturji Dr. M. N. Dhalla he took up all the duties of the late Dasturji, in the religious as well as the social areas.
Ervad Sidhwa has lectured on Zoroastrian Theology
in India, Pakistan, Iran, Canada, UK, US and UAE. He has also lectured on Zoroastrianism at University of California
, Berkeley. On several occasions he has been invited by the Government of Pakistan to discuss the Human Rights and problems faced by religious minorities in Pakistan.
He is the Honorary Secretary of The Karachi Parsi Anjuman Trust Fund, Karachi Athornan Mandal, and Joint Honorary Secretary of Dr. Dhalla Memorial Institute since its inception in 1965. He is also a jury delegate of Karachi Parsi Matrimonial Court, Government of Sindh
, Pakistan, since 1960.
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, in 1925, and studied Avesta, Pahalvi, Persian & Pazend languages, plus Ancient Iranian literature at M.F. Cama Athornan Institute, Andheri, Mumbai, for 6 years. He got initiated into the Zoroastrian priesthood by going through the Navar and Maratab initiation ceremony from Iranshah Atash Behram, Udvada, India. His initiation as a priest accounts for the "Ervad" ('Reverend') title.
Godrej has been the instructor of Zoroastrianism and Ancient Iranian History at the B.V.S. Parsi High School and Mama Parsi Secondary School, Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, for the last 45 years. He was appointed as the Honorary Lecturer in Zoroastrian Theology at colleges in Karachi for the Zoroastrian students. He was also appointed as Examiner in Zoroastrian Theology by the University of Karachi
University of Karachi
The University of Karachi is a public university located in Karachi, Pakistan. It serves an on-campus student population of more than 24,000. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, it is ranked among the top three universities of the country...
, Pakistan, for the Bachelor’s degree program. After the demise of Dasturji Dr. M. N. Dhalla he took up all the duties of the late Dasturji, in the religious as well as the social areas.
Ervad Sidhwa has lectured on Zoroastrian Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
in India, Pakistan, Iran, Canada, UK, US and UAE. He has also lectured on Zoroastrianism at University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
, Berkeley. On several occasions he has been invited by the Government of Pakistan to discuss the Human Rights and problems faced by religious minorities in Pakistan.
He is the Honorary Secretary of The Karachi Parsi Anjuman Trust Fund, Karachi Athornan Mandal, and Joint Honorary Secretary of Dr. Dhalla Memorial Institute since its inception in 1965. He is also a jury delegate of Karachi Parsi Matrimonial Court, Government of Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
, Pakistan, since 1960.