Save the Yezidis

SAVE THE YEZIDIS – Relief Project

The ethnic group of Yezidis, followers of an ancient, peace loving religion that respects all other religions, have never harmed anyone ever and survived by syncretistic adaptation for over 6000 years, is currently at the verge of being wiped off the face of earth, facing their 74th genocide , this time by the violent ISIS militants in Iraq. The population has been decimated by systematic killing, many injured and maimed. The women have been subjected to sexual violence and subjugation. Nearly 4000 Yezidi women have become enslaved by ISIS, as sex slaves. Many thousands killed, a few thousands died of hunger and starvation while on the run through the desert, to safety. About 400,000 of them are refugees in Erbil, Kurdistan. About 9000 of them were under siege on Mount Sinjar, some of them holding on to a tiny piece of land they have called home for over 6000 years.

This 74th genocide started on August 4th 2014, when ISIS militants attacked their home base of Sinjar. The brutality and genocide that followed has been covered in great detail by the media.

London, ON is home to a small community of 150 Yezidis, each of whom have lost near and dear ones in this genocide. We had an unique opportunity to save these people and an entire ancient religion from total extermination, by doing our bit. In all there are only about 400 Yezidis in Canada. In the USA, their numbers are slightly higher – about 1000.

The Yezidis, who are the descendants of the Mesopotamian civilization share a lot in common with ancient Indian traditions and religion

Srishti teamed with Hindu organizations in North America quickly to stand by, support, spread awareness and provide relief to this community in North America and those under siege in the Sinjar mountains of Iraq. This over a few weeks led to the formation of the Yezidi-Hindu Coalition. Support from our partner Art of Living and Guruji Sri Sri Ravishankar and his visit to Iraq gave the effort of the coalition a huge boost.

Work done at a high level so far by the Yezidi-Hindu Coalition includes –

  • Providing moral support to an embattled, traumatized community in London, ON by making the Yezidis part of our community celebrations and events – .

See Video of the Yezidi presentation at our Diwali Dhamaka Event.

Pictures of the Yezidis at our Rakshabandhan event.

  • Helping them organize into a cohesive Yezidi organization, develop websites, register their not-for-profit organization and help with fundraising efforts in North America.
  • Providing guidance , coordinating lobbying efforts in Ottawa and DC with respective governments, through Hindu organizations and contacts – for military action, support to Yezidis under siege in Mt Sinjar and expedite immigration to Canada.
  • Supporting relief (airdrop of food and aid) efforts to Yezidi people under siege on Mt Sinjar and  refugees in Erbil, in Northern Iraq – through IAHV – our partner Art of Living’s humanitarian agency, serving in Iraq. More than 400 tonnes of aid was air dropped which helped them to hold out and resist ISIS advance in Sinjar mountains.
  • Fundraising efforts to provide continued relief via IAHV – at various forums and social media.

Towards the end of December 2014, ISIS forces were driven out of Sinjar area, but serious issues that prevent the return of Yezidis to the area remain to be sorted out due to the political and ethnic historical baggage in that area. Yezidis remain in refugee camps in Turkey, Northern Iraq, Syria and on Mt Sinjar.

Work will continue to support the Yezidis in 2015, many more initiatives are planned, as we standby our ancient Yezidi brethren and we will keep you posted of these activities.

DONATE HERE if you wish to support IAHV’s Relief Effort to Save the Yezidis.

Contact Us if you would like to help out in any way or have questions.