Eight years after the Yazidi Genocide, Yazidis were able to gather at Lalish once again to celebrate the Autumn Assembly. The Assembly is the biggest celebration of the Yazidi calendar year, and includes an annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, a prominent religious figure.

Today, in the presence of Yazidi community members, clergymen, and community leaders, a ceremony was held to exhume the remains of Yazidi genocide victims from Sinjar found in mass graves in Qani village, Sinjar, Iraq.

Yazidism is an ancient monotheistic religion recognized for its prayer rituals, belief in reincarnation, and the central role of the Peacock Angel, Tawusi Malek, as a messenger to the Yazidi God. On this World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, learn more about the unique culture of Yazidism and its religious practices.

Last week, Nadia's Initiative and implementing partner Sunrise NGO came together to celebrate Cenja Sare Sale, the Yazidi New Year, with vulnerable children from the Sinjar community.

ISIS' systematic destruction of Yazidi temples in Sinjar signified their attempts to eradicate Yazidi religion and culture from the region. Learn more about our cultural preservation work in 2021.

In Bashiqa, Nadia’s Initiative rehabilitated the WASH facilities, kitchen, and main yard of Sheikh Obaker Temple. Sheikh Obaker is the third Yazidi temple the Initiative has rehabilitated. We hope the restored temples will offer a safe venue for future religious celebrations.

To secure religious freedom, we must invest in Yazidi religious sites like Sheikh Obaker Temple. With funding from the Republic of China (Taiwan), NI rehabilitated Sheikh Obaker Temple, which is now reopened to the community.

The fully rebuilt Sheikh Hassan Temple is ready to once again be a cultural and religious center for the residents of Gabara village and neighboring areas. The temple will host weekly gatherings and annual feast celebrations.

Nadia’s Initiative is thrilled to announce the commencement of our third Yazidi temple project! With funding from the Republic of China (Taiwan), NI is building WASH facilities and landscaping for Sheikh Obaker Temple in Bashiqa village.