15. April 2025
Yazidi Identity in Transition
“In our home countries, we can’t show our faith. And here, we’re promoting it.” With these words, Maher Abdu captured the essence of the new conference series on religious diversity: recognition and inclusion of minority communities as a cornerstone for social cohesion.
On April 8, 2025, a new series of conferences launched in Stuttgart, hosted by the Global Ethic Foundation in cooperation with the Academy of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart—this time with a spotlight on Yazidism. The goal: to raise awareness about religious minorities, challenge prejudice, and promote political participation.
YAZIDISM
Yazidi religious practices are still widely misunderstood and subject to prejudice. In their talks, experts like Prof. Dr. Sefik Tagay emphasized that stereotypes—such as the accusation of “devil worship”—are rooted in ignorance.
Key aspects of Yazidism:
- Central to the faith is the belief in Taus Melek, the Peacock Angel, as an intermediary between God and humanity.
- Yazidism is based on oral tradition rather than a fixed canon of scripture.
- The community is organized into castes: Murids (laypeople), Pirs (priests), and Sheikhs.
Yazidism—also known as Ezidism—is one of the oldest monotheistic religions, with roots in the Middle East. Around one million Yazidis live worldwide, including approximately 200,000 in Germany, which is home to the largest Yazidi diaspora after Iraq. Despite their significant presence, public knowledge about Yazidi beliefs and community concerns remains limited.
The community continues to be deeply affected by the genocide committed in 2014 by the so-called Islamic State (IS). It was only in 2023 that the German Bundestag officially recognized the atrocity as genocide.
TRAUMA AND RESILIENCE
The memory of the genocide and its aftermath remains a defining part of Yazidi identity. In a panel discussion, Dr. Michael Blume and Prof. Dr. Jan Ilhan Kizilhan spoke about the experiences of Yazidi women and the difficult decisions involved in evacuation efforts.
Kizilhan described the genocide as occurring in three phases: physical destruction, loss of identity in refugee camps, and cultural erosion. And yet, he highlighted the community’s remarkable resilience: “Trauma can destroy a people—or help it grow.”
LIFE IN THE DIASPORA
The second panel brought together representatives of Yazidi organizations in Germany to discuss life in the diaspora. Prof. Kizilhan noted that Yazidis from different countries are coming together here for the first time and increasingly building networks. Ilyas Yanc pointed to significant progress in education, community development, and political participation. Maher Abdu emphasized the importance of interfaith networks.
In the diaspora, there’s also growing momentum for reform—especially regarding traditional endogamous marriage rules. The ability of Yazidism to evolve is seen as a vital factor in its continuity and future development.
YAZIDI WOMEN IN FOCUS
The conference paid special attention to the experiences of Yazidi women, who have taken on new roles in the wake of the genocide and ongoing challenges. Survivors like Jihan Alomar shared their journeys toward empowerment and the crucial role of community support. Zemfira Dlovani highlighted how Yazidi women are now stepping into public life, not just within traditional family and community structures. More and more Yazidi women are assuming leadership roles across society—providing powerful role models, especially for the younger generation.
In cooperation with
With financial support from the State Parliament and the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg through the Foundation for Development Cooperation Baden-Württemberg.
