Norooz Celebrated in Pasadena
By Terry Miller
Published: Friday, March 12th, 2010
Approximately 350 people attended and celebrated the colorful history of Iran at the 4th annual celebration of Norooz March 11 at the Scottish Rite Cathedrale in Pasadena. Put on each year by local chiropractor Dr. Nazee Rofagha, Norooz celebrates not only the Iranian New Year but the rich culture and diversity of Iran’s peoples.
Traditional dancing, customary foods and featured speaker Jennifer Rose who obtained her PhD from Columbia University and teaches Zoroastrian Studies at Claremont Graduate University and Stanford University spoke in great detail of her experience and knowledge of religion.
Norooz Slide show
A Zoroastrian is an adherent to Zoroastrianism, the first monotheistic religion, that is based on the teachings and philosophies of Zoroaster. Since the Muslim conquest of Persia, Zoroastrianism has become increasingly marginalized, and by the 9th century Iran had become predominantly Islamic.
During the 10th century onwards several groups of Zoroastrians immigrated to Western India, where they became known as the Parsis. Today, Zoroastrianism has its stronghold in India, but Zoroastrianism still survives in Iran proper (where Zoroastrians are now a constitutionally-protected minority). There is also a Zoroastrian diaspora, the largest groups of which are in North America and in the countries of the British Commonwealth. Although Zoroastrianism was once widespread through many of the Iranic peoples, Zoroastrians generally live as scattered minorities in Iran and India today.
The honorable Mayor Bill Bogaard was one of the special guests attending the celebration as was Interim Police Chief Chris Vicino.
Photos by Terry Miller
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