Dear Members, As in 2020, the ZTFE will be performing the annual Shahenshai Muktad Prayers at the Zoroastrian Centre from Friday 6 August 2021 to Sunday 15 August 2021. We will continue to live-stream the ceremonies due to the current rise in Covid-19 infections and whilst the Zoroastrian Centre will be open, we request that our members consider very carefully whether their visit is really necessary, especially given the recent rise of Covid-19 infections in Harrow and across the country, including a resurgence of hospitalisations and deaths. We are stating below some guidelines and a link to the government guidance and where possible would urge members to limit numbers and visits to the Zoroastrian Centre to the absolute minimum. In addition to Government issued guidelines (see below) there are ZTFE guidelines that ALL visitors will be expected to follow: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship
1. We do not wish to attract large crowds to the Zoroastrian Centre so please refrain from entire families attending on the same day or attending at all if possible. 2. Face coverings (masks) must be worn throughout the Zoroastrian Centre during any visit and all visitors must wash their hands or use sanitizer upon entering the Zoroastrian Centre. 3. Temperature checks and a register of visitors with contact details will be kept on arrival by ZTFE personnel. Please expect waiting times to enter the Zoroastrian Centre during the Muktad period. We reserve the right to check Members’ vaccine status in the event on non-compliance with these basic rules. 4. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND IF you have not had both vaccines at least two weeks prior to visiting the centre and /or have any symptoms. We would encourage Members to take both jabs of whichever vaccine you are offered and take frequent tests to confirm your COVID negative status. 5. Please do not bring any food to the Zoroastrian Centre (whether to offer in the prayers or share with others). Due to the on-going pandemic there will be no serving of ‘chasni,’ or any food or drinks within the Zoroastrian Centre. Due to the hot weather, you may wish to bring your water bottle to the Zoroastrian Centre. 6. During the Muktad period, visits to the Setayasht Gah will be by prior appointment only between 9.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm. Please make appointment by email only to [email protected]. Your appointment will be confirmed by email by our Administrative Secretary Mrs. Roshan E. Avari. There will be no admission to the Setayasht Gah after 4.00pm or while our Ervad Sahebs are performing the Boi ceremonies. This is to ensure that we do not place our Ervad Sahebs at risk of infection and jeopardise the entire period of ceremonies. Kindly note, that the Boi ceremony after the Muktad prayers will be projected in the Zartoshty Brothers Hall. 7. In the Setayasht Gah please refrain from placing your forehead on the threshold / parapet to the entrance of the inner sanctum (kebla) to the Atash and there should also avoid touching of the pictures of the Prophet Zarathustra. 8. All guidance points and rules are subject to change in line with Government guidance and at the discretion of the Managing Committee. The ZTFE cannot ensure a safe Muktad without your cooperation and we may need to close down the Zoroastrian Centre completely if these basic rules are not adhered to by all. At present whilst the ZTFE will host a Shahenshai Navroze Jashan at the Zoroastrian Centre on the day itself – Monday 16 August 2021 at 5.30pm, your Management Committee believes that the above rules will apply to this event and no food or drink will be permissible, nor will we host a traditional celebratory dinner on this day at the Zoroastrian Centre. We the Trustees & the Management Committee do share in your desire to return to business as normal, but we just cannot currently take any chances with our community's health and well being. As in the previous year we are also happy for you to drop off your sandalwood offerings in advance to the Zoroastrian Centre after making prior arrangements to do so with the Zoroastrian Centre. Kindly phone our Resident Priest Ervad Yazad T Bhadha on 075 3326 9051 or our Facilities Coordinator Ratan D Buhariwala on 079 5688 1462. We hope you appreciate that this is for the better common good of our community and adhere to the basic guidelines if you must attend the Centre. We also share the message from Harrow Council in that we still need to continue to protect those in society who are vulnerable or not yet fully vaccinated. Our actions make a difference. We need to look after each other as we have been doing since March 2020. Yours sincerely ZTFE Management Committee & Trustees