Yazidi in Australia
Photo Source:
manothegreek
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| People Name: | Yazidi |
| Country: | Australia |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 4,100 |
| World Population: | 803,400 |
| Primary Language: | Kurdish, Northern |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.50 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.50 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Kurd |
| Affinity Bloc: | Persian-Median |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Yazidi are a Kurdish people who follow an old religion related to Zoroastrianism but which has remnants of Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Their origins are in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. In Iraq, they were violently persecuted so many times in the last couple of decades that some have fled to Turkey in hopes of finding safety and the possibility of moving to the West. Some have managed to relocate in Australia.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Yazidis are trying to get re-established in Australia. That means finding housing, getting a job and learning English.
What Are Their Beliefs?
They have been misunderstood by their Muslim neighbors for centuries. They are scorned and despised as "devil worshippers," mostly because of their beliefs regarding the "Peacock Angel," which some Muslims interpret as the devil.
Yazidis believe God created the world and then created seven archangels to rule it. One of them, the Peacock Angel, passed a test by God in which he would not bow down and worship Adam. As a result, he was made the "god of this world." This story is similar in Islamic teachings regarding Satan. However, the Muslim belief is that Satan was punished for not bowing down. The Peacock Angel is "Melek Taus".
Their world view revolves around angels. Besides praying toward the sun, they will fast for certain angels whom they think control the affairs of this world. They aren't supposed to wear the color blue or eat lettuce. Their holy day is Wednesday and they aren't supposed to take showers on that day. They celebrate New Year's Day as the first Wednesday in the month of Nisan. This is the day they believe the Peacock Angel comes to the Earth as God's representative.
Yazidis believe that they are descendants of Adam but not of Eve. Instead, they have descended separately from others through Adam's other wife, Jar or Jer.
What Are Their Needs?
Yazidis need safety and comfort. Many Yazidi refugees have been through tremendous trauma and they need counseling. Most need to learn English and get job training.
Prayer Points
Pray for the light of Christ to shine upon the Yazidis in Australia.
Pray for believers to reach out to them in their Diaspora.
Pray for believers among them to be accepted as Yazidis who believe in Jesus and not rejected as cultural traitors.
Pray for strong Yazidi-based fellowships to emerge during their time of crisis.