Continuing our discussion of the lesser known religious sects of the Middle East, we consider the Yazidis.
The Yazidis are northern Mesopotamian, residing mainly in northern Iraq and adjoining Turkey. Their people group, consisting of less than one million adherents, came to the news in 2014 as they were attacked by ISIL and trapped on Mount Sinjar. Through an international effort, including the US military, many were rescued. Others, however, mainly women and children, were taken by ISIL into sexual slavery, which remains one of the principal modalities of warfare.
The Yazidi faith is monotheistic but heavily syncretic embracing elements of Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. They believe the world has been placed under the care of seven angels, with the chief referred to as the Peacock Angel. Conversions do not occur, and any who marry outside the faith are considered to have converted to the religion of the partner. They believe in reincarnation.
Because of the obscure character of their faith and their inwardly focused social structure, the Yazidis are among the most misunderstood groups of the Middle East. Their worship of the Peacock Angel is interpreted by some as a form of devil worship. Hence, they became a target of ISIL during the Sinjar episode. Now, they are still at some risk because Kurdish groups distrust their intentions. With the syncretic nature of their faith, they don’t fit in with any of the religious majorities.
Although their current status has not reached the area of general news, the Yazidis are likely a setup for further conflict.
