During a Q&A session, Kourosh Rashidi, head of the Yazd Zoroastrian Association, explained that the previous assembly had been invalidated because the initial public notice did not include the term “Extraordinary Assembly.”
According to the Association, Rashidi responded to members’ questions regarding why the inspector election must be repeated. He stated that, per the Association’s bylaws and with the approval of the Yazd Governor’s Office, an annual General Assembly is held to present the yearly performance report and elect the legal inspector. This year’s assembly took place in Mehr, but the first session did not meet the quorum of 50 + 1 members and therefore moved to a second session.
The agenda also included transferring the title of the Seti Pir pilgrimage site to the Maryamabad Association. Voting on such matters required the meeting to be formally declared as an “Extraordinary Assembly.” The failure to include this term in the first notice prompted one member to object both during the session and by filing a complaint with the Governor’s Office.
Although the agenda remained the same for both sessions, the Association’s follow-ups were unsuccessful. As a result, the Governor’s Office has requested that the annual and extraordinary General Assemblies be held again. Planning is underway, and the meetings are scheduled to take place in Azar of this year.
Tour Guides’ Situation
Kourosh Rashidi stated that during the previous board term (Gardesh 63), tour guides worked with the Yazd Association on an hourly basis. In the following term (Gardesh 64), they received all their legal entitlements, including insurance, seniority benefits, and other dues.
Due to the special circumstances during and after the 12-day conflict and the resulting drop in tourist arrivals, the Association’s income sharply declined. Consequently, tour guides were referred to the Social Security Organization to receive unemployment benefits.
Although the situation has improved, it has not returned to its previous state. The Association again offered hourly collaboration to the guides, but they declined. The Board will now review the matter to determine an appropriate course of action.
Status of the Markar Shops
Rashidi explained that the shops in Markar Square involve specific complexities. These shops had been mistakenly declared as endowed (waqf) by Mr. Bahman Reyis, a former head of the Association. Such an action was beyond his authority, as only the property owner has the legal right to declare a waqf.
Following efforts in previous terms, the waqf status of these shops has been removed, and they are now officially under the Yazd Zoroastrian Association’s ownership.
Another ongoing matter concerns the leasehold rights of the shops, which is currently being addressed by Behnam Mali, the Association’s property and endowment manager.
Rent and Tenant Status of the Markar Shops
Kourosh Rashidi noted that the situation regarding the Markar shops is somewhat complex and will take time to resolve. Community members who previously rented the shops and earned income paid rent to the endowment until 1392 (Iranian calendar). Since then, from 1392 to the present, no rent payments have been made.
The Yazd Zoroastrian Association has been addressing this issue through its property and endowment department. Should these efforts not succeed, the Association plans to pursue legal action.
The Association’s Q&A session was held on Friday, 7th Azar 1404 (Tir Izad and Azar 3763 Zoroastrian calendar, 28 November 2025) from 17:00 to 19:00 at the Yazd Bozorgchami Hall.
