SAMAJ WEEKLY UK
One of the most distinguished figures of the global Zoroastrian community, Zerbanoo Gifford, has been honoured as a Founding Fellow at the international launch of the One Humanity Lab at George Washington University — a moment of considerable pride for particularly the Parsi and Irani diaspora worldwide.
The event drew guests from across the United States, Canada and Britain, many travelling significant distances to witness one of their most celebrated community leaders receive international academic recognition.
A “Remedy” of Clarity and Action
Proceedings were opened by Dr Ina Gjikondi, founder of the One Humanity Lab within GW’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership. Speaking warmly of Mrs Gifford’s influence, she described what she termed “the Zerbanoo remedy”.
“My grandmother used to say: the light does not announce itself. It simply makes everything visible,” Dr Gjikondi told guests. “When I met Zerbanoo Gifford, I understood exactly what she meant. She brings the background into the foreground.”
Her remarks set the tone for an afternoon focused on ethical leadership, courage and service.
Leading from a Place of Wholeness
Mrs Gifford, who has spent decades at the forefront of human rights advocacy and interfaith dialogue, delivered a powerful address centred on courage and moral clarity.
Drawing on a profound near-death experience, she reflected on the insight gained at what she described as the “liminal edges” of life.
“Fear is a choice. Courage is also a choice,” she said. “Once you have stood at the edge of everything and returned, you understand that there is nothing left worth being afraid of.”
The audience also heard reflections from Zane Dalal, who used the metaphor of an orchestra to describe true leadership. He argued that wholeness within a community is not achieved by making everyone the same, but by a conductor who listens deeply enough to unite distinct voices into harmony.
The sentiment resonated strongly with the Zoroastrian principles of Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta — Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds.
The Mystic Crystal
In a poignant concluding ceremony, Mrs Gifford was presented with the Mystic Crystal, the One Humanity Lab’s symbol for leaders who bridge traditions and inspire unity.
The crystal, featuring blue and clear light intertwined into a single form, was said to represent the moral clarity and unity she has championed throughout her career, notably as founder of the ASHA Centre.
A Call to Consciousness
Her latest work, A Call to Consciousness, has been described as her most urgent publication to date, distilling a lifetime of activism into a guide for moral dignity and responsible citizenship.
The book has attracted endorsements from more than 40 religious and humanitarian leaders, including Tenzin Gyatso, alongside representatives of the Zoroastrian, Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths.
It is dedicated to King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV, reflecting Mrs Gifford’s standing at the intersection of spiritual and public life.
How to Support
Proceeds from the book support the ongoing work of the One Humanity Lab, helping to sustain fellowships and programmes dedicated to cultivating ethical leadership.
Readers are being encouraged to support the publication. It is available via Amazon, while organisers note that reader reviews can help the work reach a wider audience of educators and changemakers.
Further information can be found at Zerbanoo Gifford’s official website and through the ASHA Centre.
