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The Kurdish Yazidi community in northwest
Iraq celebrated the 'Night of Blessings'
29.8.2007
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Kurdish Yazidis observe religious rituals amidst
tight security measures
August 29, 2007
Ninewa, Northwest Iraq, -- The Kurdish Yazidi
community in Iraq celebrated on Tuesday the 'Night
of Blessings' at the holy temple of Lalsh, amidst
tight security measures that were put in place after
recent bombings killed and injured hundreds of
Kurdish Yazidis in Sinjar.
Bishmam from the Supreme Yazidi Spiritual Council
said the rituals were significantly reduced during
this year's celebration due to the deteriorating
security situation and the attacks that targeted the
Yazidi community in mid-August.
"Some members of the choir were even unable to
attend," he indicated.
A member of the security forces that was assigned to
protect the temple said that they were given strict
orders to search and secure the area. "The tense
atmosphere prevented many from attending the
celebration this year, unlike previous years when
scores of people converged on the temple to take
part in the celebrations that would last until the
early hours of the next morning," he said.
The holy temple of Lalsh is located 50 km north of
Mosul near the border with Kurdistan region (Iraq).
Giving brief background to the celebration, Samir
Sheikh Sharwo, a researcher in Yazidi history from
Mosul University, said 'Shab-e-Bara'at' is the night
between 14 and 15 Shabaan [The 8th month of the
Hijri calendar] where Yazidis celebrate the advent
of Sheikh Hassan, who gave religious teachings after
a six-year absence from his people, according to
Yazidi religious beliefs.
Yazidis are primarily ethnic Kurds and most live
near Mosul, with smaller communities in Armenia,
Georgia, Iran, Russia, Syria, and Turkey. They
number over 500,000 individuals in total, but
estimates of their population size vary, partially
due to the Yazidi tradition of secrecy about their
religious beliefs.
Four truck bombs were detonated on August 14, 2007
in Kar Izir area, 35 km south of Sinjar, and at the
Siba Sheikh Khidr housing compound, killing or
injuring more than 800.
Sinjar, 120 km northwest of Mosul, is inhabited by
Yazidis, a religious minority whose followers are
generally situated in northern Iraq. Some 350,000
Yazidis live in villages around Mosul near Kurdistan
autonomous region, 405 km north of Baghdad.
VOI
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