The Yazidis are an ethnic and religious minority originating primarily from northern Iraq, especially the Sinjar (Shingal) region and the Nineveh province. There are also communities in Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, and a significant diaspora in Germany.
They are mostly Kurdish-speaking (they speak Kurmanji, a Kurdish dialect). They consider themselves an ethno-religious group because their identity combines their own culture, ethnicity, and religion. Their religion is very ancient, with roots that include elements of Zoroastrianism, ancient Mesopotamian religions, Sufi Islam, and Eastern Christianity.
The Yazidi religion is monotheistic. They believe in:
• One single creator God
• Seven angels who govern the world
• The chief of these is Melek Taus (the Peacock Angel)
Throughout history, some Muslim groups have wrongly accused the Yazidis of “devil worshipping” because they identified Melek Taus with Iblis (Satan in Islam). However, the Yazidis completely reject this idea. For them, Melek Taus is not evil, but an angel faithful to God.
Sacred Site. Their most important shrine is Lalish, in northern Iraq. It is a place of obligatory pilgrimage for Yazidis at least once in their lifetime.
Social Organization. The community is structured into religious castes:
• Sheikhs
• Pirs
• Murids (the majority of the population)
The religion is endogamous: traditionally, marriage outside the community and conversion to Yazidism are not permitted.
Persecution and Genocide
The Yazidis have been persecuted for centuries. The most recent and devastating episode occurred in 2014, when the extremist group ISIS attacked the Sinjar region: thousands of men were killed, women and girls were sexually enslavedm, more than 300,000 people were displaced and the UN recognized these events as genocide.
Current Situation. Although ISIS was territorially defeated, many Yazidis remain displaced, and their region continues to be unstable.It is estimated that there are between 500,000 and 1 million Yazidis worldwide. Many have emigrated, especially to Germany. The reconstruction of Sinjar has been slow and complicated by political tensions and a lack of security.
Photo Gallery:
Extended info about Yazidi Religion and Lalish Shrine