Religion

The clergy of Yazidis, Yarsanis (Ahl‑i Haqq), and Alevis each follows distinct hierarchical structures rooted in oral tradition, lineage, and regional practice. While Yazidis are led by the Baba Sheikh and a tiered Sheikh‑Pir system, Yarsanis rely on hereditary Sayyids and spiritual guides, and Alevis organize around Dedes and community‑based elders.

Armenia and Georgia host the most prominent Yazidi temples and community centres in the Caucasus, including the world‑largest Quba Mêrê Dîwanê in Aknalich, Armenia, and the Sultan Ezid Temple in Tbilisi, Georgia. These sites serve both sacred and cultural functions for the region’s Yazidi minority.

This article examines the Ottoman Empire’s legal‑religious pronouncements (fatwās) against the Yazidi community during the late 19th century, analyzing their textual content, historical context, and scholarly interpretations.

This article examines the visual symbols that define Yazidi sacred architecture and objects, from the mausoleums of saints to the peacock and serpent motifs that adorn temples. It explores how these icons convey theology, communal memory, and resilience amid persecution.

Melek Tawûsî, the Peacock Angel, is the chief divine figure in Yazidism, leading the seven celestial beings that oversee the world. This article traces his mythic origins, theological role, and addresses widespread misconceptions that link him to Satanic worship.

Since the late 19th century Yazidis have lived in Georgia, and in recent decades formal interfaith dialogue with the Georgian Orthodox Church has produced joint projects such as the Tbilisi Yazidi temple, theological exchanges, and communal blessings. This article traces the historical roots, key initiatives, and measurable outcomes of this unique religious partnership.

The Kitêba Cilwe, often translated as “the Book of Splendor,” is a central yet enigmatic text in Yazidi tradition. While its original Arabic manuscripts date to the late nineteenth century, the work underpins the content of liturgical hymns (qawls) and shapes contemporary ritual practice.

Sheikh ‘Edeb is the central religious authority credited with systematizing the Yazidi scriptural corpus. His work bridged oral tradition and written codification, shaping the canon that underpins contemporary Yazidi belief and practice.

The villages of Bashiqa and Bahzani host a cluster of Yazidi sacred sites whose mausoleums and temples embody centuries‑old religious architecture. After severe damage during the Islamic State’s 2014 genocide, international NGOs have undertaken careful restoration, reviving both stonework and ritual life.

Takfiri theology, as employed by the Islamic State, classifies non‑conforming Muslims and religious minorities as apostates, leading to systematic persecution of Yazidis, Christians, and Shi’a. This article compares the doctrinal justifications and on‑ground policies that produced genocide, forced conversion, and mass displacement.