Since the enactment of the Yazidi Survivors’ Law, hundreds of Yazidi women and families have received legal ownership of land in Sinjar and Sheikhan. These restitution efforts, backed by Iraqi authorities and UN agencies, mark a historic reversal of displacement caused by ISIS atrocities.
Yazidi survivors of the ISIS genocide resettled in Germany face unique challenges in accessing health care and mental‑health services. This article examines barriers, German programmes, and the role of cultural factors in shaping utilisation.
Since the 1970s, Yazidi studies have moved from exotic curiosity to a rigorous, interdisciplinary field. This article traces the scholarly shift, highlighting key publications, methodological breakthroughs, and the impact of recent events on academic consensus.
The Heft Sirr, the Yazidi secret scripture, has been transmitted through oral recitation, manuscript copying, and community teaching in the diaspora, especially in Germany and Sweden. Recent scholarship shows how exile, literacy, and Western influences reshape its preservation while maintaining core meanings.
Yazidi women in Iraq and the diaspora confront intersecting barriers—gender, religious minority status, and displacement—that limit their participation in formal religious education. Recent reports highlight gaps in policy implementation, trauma‑informed services, and community‑based learning opportunities.
The Adawiyya Order, founded by the 12th‑century mystic Sheikh ‘Adi, provided the theological and institutional template for the Yazidi priesthood. Its doctrines shaped the roles of the Mîr, Baba Sheikh, Sheikhs and Pirs that structure Yazidi religious authority today.
Qewls are the sacred hymns of the Yazidi faith, performed in distinct regional styles across Iraq, Syria, and the diaspora. These variations involve melodic contours, vocal ornamentation, and instrumental accompaniment shaped by local oral traditions and community histories.
The 2026 Yazidi Truth Commission, convened in Germany, seeks accountability for the 2014 ISIS genocide. Compared with other truth commissions, it blends community‑driven testimony with a non‑transitional legal framework, raising new questions about legitimacy, scope, and impact.
Şêşê Şehîdî, the Day of the Martyr, is a central Yazidi ritual commemorating the martyrdom of holy figures. While its core elements are shared, the ceremony displays distinct regional adaptations in Sinjar, Sheikhan, Syria, Turkey, the Caucasus, and diaspora communities.
Since the mid‑19th century, Western press, missionaries, and later novelists and filmmakers have depicted Yazidis through a shifting lens—from sensationalist “devil‑worshiper” stereotypes to more nuanced, empathetic representations. This article traces that evolution and highlights scholarly debates and common misconceptions.