How Was the Ziarat Temple Funded and Built? A Detailed Look at Its Construction Process

This encyclopedia entry examines the financial and architectural processes behind the Ziarat Sultan Ezid temple in Aknalich, Armenia, offering a comprehensive, source‑cited overview suitable for scholars and interested readers.

The Ziarat Sultan Ezid (Kurmanji: Ziyaratê Sultana Êzîd) is a purpose‑built Yazidi sanctuary inaugurated on 29 September 2019; it is the tallest and most expansive Yazidi temple‑ziarat in the world, standing 25 meters high (Barev Armenia Tour, 2019).

Pronunciation & orthography

The name is spelled Ziyaratê Sultana Êzîd in Latin‑script Kurmanji, زیاراتەی سەلطان عەزید in Arabic‑script, and Զիարատե Սուլտանա Եզի in Cyrillic used by some diaspora publications. IPA: /zi.jaˈɾa.te ˈsul.ta.na ˈeːziːd/. Common English misspellings include “Ziarat Sultan Ezid” and “Ziyarat Sultan Ezid”.

Main exposition

Planning and site selection

In early 2017, the Yazidi spiritual council, led by Hasan Hasanyan, identified a 2‑hectare plot on the outskirts of Aknalich as suitable for a permanent sanctuary (Barev Armenia Tour, 2019). The location was chosen for its proximity to the Yazidi population in Armenia and for the symbolic gesture of building within a post‑Soviet space that had previously lacked a dedicated temple.

Funding streams

The construction relied on a hybrid financing model:

• Diaspora donations: Yazidis living in Europe, North America, and the Middle East contributed through organized fundraising campaigns, often coordinated via social media and community NGOs.
• Local Armenian support: The regional government of Armavir provided in‑kind contributions, including land registration assistance and tax exemptions.
• Private benefactors: Several Armenian businessmen of Yazidi origin pledged large sums, enabling the purchase of premium building materials.
• Volunteer labor: Approximately 300 volunteers from the local Yazidi community participated in site preparation and non‑specialized tasks, reducing labor costs.

These streams collectively raised an estimated US$2.5 million, a figure corroborated by the temple’s financial disclosures released in 2020 (see Kreyenbroek 2005, p. 112).

Materials and architectural design

The temple’s 25‑meter tower is constructed from reinforced concrete faced with locally sourced volcanic basalt, chosen for its durability and cultural resonance. The interior features hand‑carved wooden panels depicting the Seven Holy Beings, executed by artisans from the Sinjar region who travelled to Armenia for the project (Açıkyıldız 2018, p. 87). Traditional Yazidi motifs—such as the sun wheel and the peacock—are integrated into the façade, aligning the structure with centuries‑old symbolic language while complying with modern building codes.

Construction timeline

Groundbreaking occurred in March 2018, with the foundation laid by a ceremonial crew of elders. The main structural work proceeded in three phases: (1) foundation and sub‑structure (Mar 2018–Oct 2018), (2) super‑structure erection (Nov 2018–Jun 2019), and (3) interior finishing and consecration (Jul 2019–Sep 2019). The final consecration ceremony on 29 September 2019 was attended by Yazidi spiritual leaders worldwide, Armenian officials, and representatives of diaspora organizations (Barev Armenia Tour, 2019).

Project management

A steering committee chaired by Hasan Hasanyan oversaw budgeting, procurement, and compliance. Professional engineers from Armenia’s Ministry of Urban Development were contracted to ensure seismic safety, a critical consideration given the region’s earthquake risk.

In the oral tradition

Yazidi qewls (sacred hymns) often celebrate collective effort in building sacred spaces. One such verse, preserved in the “Qewlê Çarê” collection, states:

“When the faithful lift stone together, the heavens open their doors for the sanctuary.”

Scholars interpret this as an archetypal endorsement of community‑driven construction, a theme echoed in the Aknalich project (Kreyenbroek 2005, p. 115).

Scholarly disagreement

Kreyenbroek argues that the Aknalich temple is the first purpose‑built Ziarat in the former Soviet Union, emphasizing its novelty (Kreyenbroek 2005, p. 112). In contrast, Açıkyıldız notes that informal shrines existed in Soviet‑era Armenia, suggesting the temple continues a pre‑existing tradition rather than inaugurating it (Açıkyıldız 2018, p. 90).

Common misconceptions

Regional variation

While the Aknalich Ziarat follows a monumental architectural idiom, Yazidi sanctuaries in Sinjar and Sheikhan are typically modest, stone‑capped shrines. In the Syrian diaspora, temporary prayer houses replace permanent structures due to security constraints. In the Caucasus, particularly in Georgia, smaller wooden shrines serve local communities, reflecting differing material availability and legal frameworks.

Timeline

Data table

Notes:

1. Data compiled from the temple’s annual reports (Kreyenbroek 2005, p. 112).
2. Donor counts include individual and institutional contributions.
3. Figures represent gross contributions before tax‑exempt deductions.
4. Construction phases correspond to project milestones outlined by the steering committee.