- Sputnik International
Multimedia
When a picture is worth a thousand words. See what's happening in the world from a more visual perspective with Sputnik's photo galleries, infographics and other multimedia content.

Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq

Subscribe
Still haunted by war and suffering, Iraq’s Yazidis still manage to find some place for light in their hearts. The minority gathered in the holy town of Lalish on Tuesday for celebrations ahead of their New Year.

The Yazidis are an independent religious community concentrated mostly in northern Iraq. Thousands of Yazidis were killed and up to 7,000 women were enslaved by Daesh militants after they took over the city of Sinjar in northern Iraq in August 2014 before it was liberated in December 2015.

© AFP 2023 / Christophe Simon Iraqi Yazidis light candles and paraffin torches outside the 4,000-year-old Lalish temple in northern Iraq on April 18, 2017, during a ceremony to celebrate the coming New Year.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
1/11
Iraqi Yazidis light candles and paraffin torches outside the 4,000-year-old Lalish temple in northern Iraq on April 18, 2017, during a ceremony to celebrate the coming New Year.
© AFP 2023 / Safin HamedThe Yazidis are an independent ethno-religious group, with the vast majority (estimated at about 1.6 million) living in the north of Iraq.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
2/11
The Yazidis are an independent ethno-religious group, with the vast majority (estimated at about 1.6 million) living in the north of Iraq.
© AFP 2023 / Safin HamedThey practice an ancient faith, which they claim is the world's oldest religion. During the New Year celebration, they commemorate the arrival of the light into the world.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
3/11
They practice an ancient faith, which they claim is the world's oldest religion. During the New Year celebration, they commemorate the arrival of the light into the world.
© AFP 2023 / Safin HamedYazidis pray during annual celebrations of New Year, one of the three main Yazidi feasts, at Lalish Temple in Sheyhan district of Mosul, Iraq.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
4/11
Yazidis pray during annual celebrations of New Year, one of the three main Yazidi feasts, at Lalish Temple in Sheyhan district of Mosul, Iraq.
© AFP 2023 / Safin HamedTraditionally, the Yazidi New Year celebration falls on Wednesday in April. It is also known as Chwarshaba Sor, which means Red Wednesday in Kurdish.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
5/11
Traditionally, the Yazidi New Year celebration falls on Wednesday in April. It is also known as Chwarshaba Sor, which means Red Wednesday in Kurdish.
© AFP 2023 / Christophe SimonThe ceremony starts on Tuesday evening in Lalish Temple, the main Yazidi temple 60 kilometers north of Mosul. Candles are lit in all corners of the temple.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
6/11
The ceremony starts on Tuesday evening in Lalish Temple, the main Yazidi temple 60 kilometers north of Mosul. Candles are lit in all corners of the temple.
© AFP 2023 / Christophe Simon In August 2014, thousands of Yazidis were killed and up to 7,000 Yazidi children and women were enslaved by Daesh militants after they took over Sinjar, a town in Iraqi Kurdistan before it was liberated in December 2015.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
7/11
In August 2014, thousands of Yazidis were killed and up to 7,000 Yazidi children and women were enslaved by Daesh militants after they took over Sinjar, a town in Iraqi Kurdistan before it was liberated in December 2015.
© AFP 2023 / Safin HamedMassacres carried out by militants against the minority were qualified as genocide, the United Nations said.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
8/11
Massacres carried out by militants against the minority were qualified as genocide, the United Nations said.
© AFP 2023 / Safin HamedThe Yazidi minority continues defending its faith and observing its religious events to preserve the ethno-religious identity and heritage of one of the most ancient peoples.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
9/11
The Yazidi minority continues defending its faith and observing its religious events to preserve the ethno-religious identity and heritage of one of the most ancient peoples.
© AFP 2023 / Christophe Simon To date, the Syrian Democratic Forces have already liberated 2,900 Yazidi, including 953 women, 684 children and 757 young ladies. At least 3,000 captured Yazidi are still missing.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
10/11
To date, the Syrian Democratic Forces have already liberated 2,900 Yazidi, including 953 women, 684 children and 757 young ladies. At least 3,000 captured Yazidi are still missing.
© AFP 2023 / Safin HamedThe operations, launched in November 2016, are part of the US-backed campaign of the Syrian Democratic Forces, codenamed the Wrath of Euphrates (also referred to as Euphrates Rage), to liberate Syrian and Iraqi cities from Daesh militants.
Celebration of Hope: Yazidi New Year in Iraq - Sputnik International
11/11
The operations, launched in November 2016, are part of the US-backed campaign of the Syrian Democratic Forces, codenamed the Wrath of Euphrates (also referred to as Euphrates Rage), to liberate Syrian and Iraqi cities from Daesh militants.
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала