Alqosh: A model of inter-confessional coexistence of Yazidis, Christians and Arabs
Most Christians have co-existed with Yazidis and Muslims for many years, and have no problem adhering to their religion, practicing their religious rituals in the Alqosh area.
Alqosh, located in a troubled region, on the Nineveh plain, has witnessed many violent incidents. In Alqosh, Yazidis, Christians, and Muslims, all lived as brothers, went to visit each other, and attended ritual festivals.
Fragments of the destruction that accompanied the emergence of ISIL in 2014 affected parts of Alqosh, forcing most of its population, especially Christians and Yazidis, to flee out of fear of ISIL harassment.
One of the villagers, a Yazidi cleric living in the village said:
"We live here as a family. Religious coexistence is in a good state because we respect the beliefs of others, and if any problem arises, we immediately resolve it and do not allow it to affect our relationship. We participate in each other's events. If a stranger came to us, he would not feel that there are three different religions in this city."
The population of the Alcosha area was estimated at 62,000 until mid-2014, after which some of them, most of whom were Christians, immigrated to America and Europe.
Mahmoud Hamid, a Muslim who lives in the Alqosh subdistrict, says that religious coexistence has become an identity for them that is not easy to erase, so "We will never give it up. We will try to encourage our children and future generations to adhere to the principles of recognition of other religions."
There are churches in and around Alqosh, more than 30 Yazidi shrines and religious sites, as well as more than 10 mosques. This district includes 34 villages and three residential complexes. Alqosh is located 40 km north of the city of Mosul.
Source Bahzani Net
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Alqosh: A model of inter-confessional coexistence of Yazidis, Christians and Arabs
Most Christians have co-existed with Yazidis and Muslims for many years, and have no problem adhering to their religion, practicing their religious rituals in the Alqosh area.
Alqosh, located in a troubled region, on the Nineveh plain, has witnessed many violent incidents. In Alqosh, Yazidis, Christians, and Muslims, all lived as brothers, went to visit each other, and attended ritual festivals.
Fragments of the destruction that accompanied the emergence of ISIL in 2014 affected parts of Alqosh, forcing most of its population, especially Christians and Yazidis, to flee out of fear of ISIL harassment.
One of the villagers, a Yazidi cleric living in the village said:
"We live here as a family. Religious coexistence is in a good state because we respect the beliefs of others, and if any problem arises, we immediately resolve it and do not allow it to affect our relationship. We participate in each other's events. If a stranger came to us, he would not feel that there are three different religions in this city."
The population of the Alcosha area was estimated at 62,000 until mid-2014, after which some of them, most of whom were Christians, immigrated to America and Europe.
Mahmoud Hamid, a Muslim who lives in the Alqosh subdistrict, says that religious coexistence has become an identity for them that is not easy to erase, so "We will never give it up. We will try to encourage our children and future generations to adhere to the principles of recognition of other religions."
There are churches in and around Alqosh, more than 30 Yazidi shrines and religious sites, as well as more than 10 mosques. This district includes 34 villages and three residential complexes. Alqosh is located 40 km north of the city of Mosul.
Source Bahzani Net
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