10th Anniversary Survivor Stories: Sufyan

Sufyan was a lively, energetic boy who enjoyed riding the bicycle his father gave him as a gift for completing sixth grade. But one morning, Sufyan awoke at dawn to the sound of gunfire and screaming in his village of Shakoo in southern Sinjar.

Within hours, he was in ISIS captivity, along with forty members of his family and relatives. Bewildered and silent, Sufyan wondered: Who are these people? What do they want from us?

There were so many questions, but no answers – for it would take a long time for the Yazidi people to fully understand the way ISIS treated their sons, daughters, and siblings.

Deprivation

Once in captivity, ISIS tried to force Sufyan, his brother, and dozens of family members to abandon their Yazidi faith. Sufyan endured regular beatings, psychological torture, and other brutal forms of abuse and humiliation.

This new reality changed Sufyan, who soon fell victim to ISIS efforts to turn he and so many other Yazidi children against their own land and people. With no other option, Sufyan was forced to accept the distorted worldview imposed by the evil actors around him.

After four long years in captivity, Sufyan was injured in a firefight between security forces and ISIS fighters, and soon found himself laying in a Syrian hospital with one leg gone. Syrian Democratic Forces found Sufyan in the hospital, and, after learning he was an abducted Yazidi, helped reunite him with his family.

A decision to heal

Although Sufyan had achieved physical freedom, regaining psychological freedom – and full liberation from ISIS brainwashing – would take much longer.

Thanks to intensive therapy, Sufyan eventually emerged from his trance and started to believe that he may one day heal from the trauma and wounds he had suffered. Sufyan’s family stood by him and gave him the hope and confidence he needed to rebuild his life as a proud Yazidi, and he used this opportunity to start a business, a successful women’s clothing store.

Nature and hope overcome all

Sufyan may have lost a limb during his time in captivity, but since then, his heart has grown even larger than ever before. Now, as an active, leading member of survivor networks, Sufyan helps fellow survivors seeking guidance and hope after their own horrific ordeals. He crafts clothing for himself and others embroidered with scenes of renewal.

Many years ago, Sufyan was a young boy dealing with a challenge no child should ever face. Today, he is a confident young man who instills pride in his family and projects hope for all Yazidis.

In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide, Nadia’s Initiative is sharing a series of survivor stories to highlight the impact of the genocide at an individual level. While these stories are harrowing, they shine a light on the incredible resilience of survivors.