From forced conversion to genocide: How Yazidis carry centuries of persecution into exile

Yazidis have endured a long history of persecution, marked by forced conversions and genocide, forcing many to flee their ancestral lands and live in exile. This historical trauma continues to shape their lives, instilling a deep-seated fear of openly identifying with their faith, even in Western countries.

Generations of Yazidis have faced violence and discrimination, stemming from accusations of devil worship largely due to their reverence for Melek Taus, the Peacock Angel. Islamic interpretations have demonized this practice, with groups like ISIS using it to justify horrific acts of violence, including mass killings, abductions, and enslavement of thousands of women and children.

“

We cannot have two generations of ancestors buried in the same cemetery.

One individual, identified as "S," shared his experiences with The Jerusalem Post, recounting his family's flight from Turkey due to forced Islamization orders in 1892, and later from northern Syria to Germany due to ISIS. As an emergency worker during the 2014 genocide, he witnessed firsthand the atrocities committed in the Sinjar corridor. Even in exile, the fear persists, reflected in the common Yazidi saying, "We cannot have two generations of ancestors buried in the same cemetery."

Despite finding refuge in countries like Germany, many Yazidis still carry the burden of unanswered questions about murdered or missing relatives. The legacy of persecution, from the Ottoman Sultan's orders to ISIS's brutal campaign, continues to impact the Yazidi community, highlighting their ongoing struggle for safety and recognition.

“

Because for Muslims, the Yazidi have not believed in their [Abrahamic] God. Like in the Jewish or Christian [faiths], they see those people [who do] as kafir [an offensive term applied to infidels].