Eighth annual commemoration of the Yazidi Genocide
August 1, 2022
Keywords: Yazidi Genocide; justice and accountability; eighth commemoration; advocacy; diplomacy
The eighth annual commemoration of the Yazidi Genocide was hosted by Yazda with the Zovighian Public Office (ZPO). 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.
Diplomacy and advocacy since the onset of the genocide against
the yazidis
With the growing complexities of the ongoing Yazidi Genocide, diplomacy and advocacy have never been so time-critical. We stand committed to working closely with the Yazidi people to create advocacy assets, enforce momentum, and strengthen the global community of friends for the Yazidi Cause.
Directed by Mohamad Chreyteh, “This is still genocide” is a Yazidi-led short documentary commissioned, funded, and co-produced by Lynn Zovighian and The Zovighian Partnership. It investigates the precarious situation in Sinjar today, which used to be home to 550,000 Yazidis before the genocide perpetrated by Da’esh began on August 3, 2014. On camera, survivors share their ongoing fight against community extermination. Will the world listen and act?
We are honored to present an anthology of the documented speeches with words of deep solidarity and commitment to the Yazidi people and minority groups of Iraq on the occasion of the virtual protest sit-in of the Eighth Annual Commemoration of the Yazidi Genocide that was hosted on August 1, 2022. All speeches are available on the Yazda YouTube channel.
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
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."
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."
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."
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, & 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)
"Together, we make a great force calling for justice […] 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. 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. 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 […]"
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. 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."