Eighth Annual Commemoration of the Yazidi Genocide
Sinjar: No will, no way
The Eighth Annual Commemoration of the Yazidi Genocide was hosted by Yazda with The Zovighian Partnership. The memorial featured multiple words from Yazidi survivors and friends of the cause to acknowledge the persistent forms of genocide that continue to decimate the community.
The memorial commenced with a blessing from Yazidi spiritual leader Baba Sheikh, followed by words from Yazidi genocide survivors and friends of the cause, calling out inaction from governments and the international community.
Sinjar: No will, no way
August 1, 2022 | 16:00-16:45 Iraq time / 9:00-9:45 Eastern time
A virtual protest sit-in on the occasion of the Eighth Annual Commemoration of the Yazidi Genocide
His Eminence Baba Sheikh Ali Elias
Member of the Yazidi Supreme Spiritual Council
"The Yazidi religion will not disappear with this genocide. It withstood 74 recorded genocides […] but the Yazidi religion has remained and will remain steadfast, and, God willing, it will remain stronger as mentioned in our religious texts."
Mr. Haider Elias
Co-founder and President, Yazda Organization
"For those who have returned to Sinjar are not all permanently settled due to many reasons, such as security concerns, lack of the basic support such as electricity, water supply, basic healthcare, and a decent education for their children."
Dr. Nazand Begikhani
Writer, poet, and academic researcher
"[…] Remember her In your actions and your thoughts Remember her In your holy days And in your prayers Remember her Carry her deep in your heart It happened to her And it can happen to you too ‘Lest we forget to remember And honor them all."
Ms. Khawla Ismail Khudaida
Member, Yazda Yazidi Survivors Network
"We miraculously survived. I rejoiced as if I was born again, but I hurt more because most of my loved ones didn't come to welcome me since they were missing or martyrs, including my mother. After liberation, I decided to be a voice for everyone […]"
His Eminence Baba Sheikh Ali Elias
Member of the Yazidi Supreme Spiritual Council
"The Yazidi religion will not disappear with this genocide. It withstood 74 recorded genocides […] but the Yazidi religion has remained and will remain steadfast, and, God willing, it will remain stronger as mentioned in our religious texts."
Mr. Haider Elias
Co-founder and President, Yazda Organization
"For those who have returned to Sinjar are not all permanently settled due to many reasons, such as security concerns, lack of the basic support such as electricity, water supply, basic healthcare, and a decent education for their children."
Dr. Nazand Begikhani
Writer, poet, and academic researcher
"[…] Remember her In your actions and your thoughts Remember her In your holy days And in your prayers Remember her Carry her deep in your heart It happened to her And it can happen to you too ‘Lest we forget to remember And honor them all."
Ms. Khawla Ismail Khudaida
Member, Yazda Yazidi Survivors Network
"We miraculously survived. I rejoiced as if I was born again, but I hurt more because most of my loved ones didn't come to welcome me since they were missing or martyrs, including my mother. After liberation, I decided to be a voice for everyone […]"
His Eminence Baba Sheikh Ali Elias
Member of the Yazidi Supreme Spiritual Council
"The Yazidi religion will not disappear with this genocide. It withstood 74 recorded genocides […] but the Yazidi religion has remained and will remain steadfast, and, God willing, it will remain stronger as mentioned in our religious texts."
Mr. Haider Elias
Co-founder and President, Yazda Organization
"For those who have returned to Sinjar are not all permanently settled due to many reasons, such as security concerns, lack of the basic support such as electricity, water supply, basic healthcare, and a decent education for their children."
Dr. Nazand Begikhani
Writer, poet, and academic researcher
"[…] Remember her In your actions and your thoughts Remember her In your holy days And in your prayers Remember her Carry her deep in your heart It happened to her And it can happen to you too ‘Lest we forget to remember And honor them all."
Ms. Khawla Ismail Khudaida
Member, Yazda Yazidi Survivors Network
"We miraculously survived. I rejoiced as if I was born again, but I hurt more because most of my loved ones didn't come to welcome me since they were missing or martyrs, including my mother. After liberation, I decided to be a voice for everyone […]"
Ms. Lynn Zovighian
Founder, Zovighian Public Office (ZPO)
"[…] But what is even bigger than all of us combined is inaction. And if we are not going to work together every step of the way with meticulous diplomatic and strategic might,
we will fail."
Ms. Lynn Zovighian
Founder, Zovighian Public Office (ZPO)
"[…] But what is even bigger than all of us combined is inaction. And if we are not going to work together every step of the way with meticulous diplomatic and strategic might,
we will fail."
Ms. Lynn Zovighian
Founder, Zovighian Public Office (ZPO)
"[…] But what is even bigger than all of us combined is inaction. And if we are not going to work together every step of the way with meticulous diplomatic and strategic might, we will fail."
The Yazidi religion will not disappear with this genocide. It withstood 74 recorded genocides […] but the Yazidi religion has remained and will remain steadfast, and, God willing, it will remain stronger as mentioned in our religious texts.
- His Eminence Baba Sheikh Ali Elias — Member, Yazidi Supreme Spiritual Council