German non‑governmental organisations have become key actors in assisting Yazidi survivors of the Islamic State genocide, offering psychosocial care, shelter, advocacy and capacity‑building programmes across northern Iraq and the diaspora.
Yazidi communities employ informal caregiving practices known as “neighbour‑by‑choice” to protect children, especially those born of ISIS captivity. The article examines these customs, their ambiguous legal standing under Iraqi law, and the social attitudes that shape their acceptance or rejection.
Çarşema Serê Salê, also called Çarşema Sor or Red Wednesday, marks the Yazidi New Year. Celebrated on the first Wednesday of April, the festival blends ancient cosmology, communal rites at Lalish, and vibrant folk customs.
The Kitêba Cilwe, also known as Kitēba jilwe, is a central Yazidi sacred text whose usage varies across regions. This article explores how Yazidi communities in Iraq, Syria, Turkey, the Caucasus and the diaspora employ the text differently, reflecting local religious, social and linguistic contexts.