Yazidi in Germany

Introduction / History

The Yazidi are a Kurdish people who follow an old religion related to Zoroastrianism, but which has elements of Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
They are located primarily in the Nineveh province of northern Iraq. The sacred valley of Lalish is the center point of their culture. Though some live in Syria, Turkey, Armenia and Georgia, many have emigrated to parts of Europe. Almost all the Yazidis in Turkey have emigrated to Germany. The Armenian and Georgian populations largely relocated to Russia. Sweden also has a significant population since 2008.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Like other refugees, the Yazidis must adjust to a vastly different culture while struggling with emotional trauma. One Yazidi woman saw her former tormenter, an ISIS member, on the streets of Germany.
Yazidis must learn the German language, find housing and work. The younger generation is often at odds with their elders. The older generation wants to retain their traditional religion and marriage rites, but the younger generation is trying to adapt to the ways of the Germans. They are a closed community which avoids prolonged contact with non-Yazidis, accepts no converts and tries to protect themselves from outside influences.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Yazidis believe God created the world and then created 7 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 Islam regarding Satan. However, the Muslim belief is that Satan was punished for not bowing down. The Peacock Angel is "Melek Taus" or "Shaytan". The latter is the name in the Koran for Satan. Yazidis are forbidden to speak the name "Shaytan."
Their world view revolves around angels. Besides praying toward the sun, they will fast for certain angels who control the affairs of this world. They aren't supposed to wear 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 separate from others through Adam's other wife, Jar or Jer.

What Are Their Needs?

Yazidi people in Germany need the Holy Spirit to move in their community, drawing them to the only one who offers life’s answers. As it stands, they are desperately trying to cling to the ways of the past.

Prayer Points

Pray for the light of Christ to shine upon the Yazidi community in Germany.
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.

Text Source:   Joshua Project