A delegation of Ezidi representatives visited Batman Governor Ekrem Canalp on 17 July ahead of a ceremony connected to the restoration of the Sheikh Evinda sacred site in İçkörü, in the Beşiri district of Turkey.
The delegation included Hazim Tahsin Beg and other Ezidi representatives who had travelled from Iraq. They were received at the governor’s office by Canalp, who also serves as deputy mayor of Batman.
The meeting took place before the ceremony marking the restoration project for the Sheikh Evinda site, an important religious and cultural place for Ezidis. The restoration is being carried out in cooperation with the GAP Regional Development Administration, the Provincial Special Administration and the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.
Governor Canalp stated that thousands of Ezidis from European countries and other parts of the world visit the site each May. He described Sheikh Evinda as an important centre for religious life, cultural memory, social solidarity and the preservation of spiritual values.
“This sacred place is an important centre where cultural memory, social solidarity and spiritual values are kept alive,” Canalp said, according to the published report.
He added that public institutions would continue supporting the peaceful coexistence and security of the different peoples and cultures living in the region.
The Ezidi delegation thanked the governor for the support provided to the restoration process and expressed appreciation for the work being undertaken at the sacred site.
Deputy Governor Mehmet Alnıaçık and Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Mehmet İhsan Aslanlı were also present during the meeting.
The restoration of Sheikh Evinda is expected to help preserve a site of religious significance to Ezidis and support continued access for visitors travelling from abroad.
