On 9 December, the world marks the International Day for the Victims of Genocide — established in 2015 on Armenia’s initiative. For Ezidis, this day is a reminder that the 2014 genocide is not history. Nearly 200,000 Ezidis remain displaced, more than 2,500 are still missing, and mass graves in Sinjar await proper identification. remembrance must lead to justice, accountability, and real prevention.
Assyrian football player Dyana Dawood is breaking barriers for minorities in Iraq. From Mosul to the national team, her journey inspires young athletes to embrace their heritage and pursue their dreams against all odds.
This article responds to İkbal Dürre’s claims about why Ezidis in Russia are not counted within Kurdish demographic statistics. Ezidis identify as Ezidi, not Kurdish, and Russia records them accordingly. Labeling them as Kurds ignores their distinct identity, their Sharfadin faithh. Ezidis reached Russia after the 1915 genocide that the kurds cmmited againt them.
A new report highlights rising hostility in Turkey toward Ezidis, Jews, Alevis, and Christians. Between 2023 and 2024, state institutions increasingly aligned with Sunni Islam, historic sites were reconverted, schools expanded compulsory Sunni instruction, and minorities faced harassment and attacks. The findings show that legal guarantees alone are not enough—protecting diverse communities requires political will, accountability, and respect for long-standing cultures.
Nobel laureate Nadia Murad continues her global mission for justice for Ezidi survivors of IS atrocities. During her recent meeting with the President Gustavo Petro of Colombia, she urged formal recognition of the Ezidi genocide, while advocating for survivor support, reparations, and accountability for perpetrators.
Nadia Murad has been awarded an honorary doctorate by César Vallejo University in Peru for her global advocacy against sexual violence in conflict and her ongoing work for Ezidi survivors. During the university’s 34th anniversary ceremony, Murad highlighted the power of education in rebuilding lives after genocide — a message that continues to resonate more than a decade after the 2014 atrocities.
Salman Ibrahim joins Ezidi Times to report from Shingal, sharing the experiences and resilience of Ezidis after the devastation.
Belgium has issued its first conviction for the 2014 genocide against Ezidis, with the Brussels Assize Court finding Islamic State fighter Sammy Djedou guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. The ruling marks Belgium’s entry among European countries prosecuting those responsible for the atrocities committed against Ezidis.
Ezdiki will once again be part of Armenia’s 2025 voluntary teacher certification exams. Scheduled for November 15, this inclusion reflects ongoing efforts to preserve the Ezidi language and ensure its presence in the country’s educational system.
Belgian ISIS member Sammy Djedou is being tried in absentia in Brussels for genocide and crimes against humanity against Ezidi women. Prosecutors accuse him of enslaving, torturing, and raping three Ezidi women during ISIS’s 2014 attack on Shengal (Sinjar) in Iraq — crimes described as part of the group’s campaign to annihilate the Ezidis.
Belgium is set to hold its first-ever trial for genocide against the Ezidi people, as IS fighter Sammy Djedou faces charges in absentia for murder, rape, and sexual enslavement. For the survivors who will testify, the courtroom is more than a legal stage — it is a rare space to confront the violence that shattered their lives and to assert that the world cannot forget the genocide against the Ezidis.
Ezidis in Cologne recently met with the city’s new mayor to share their culture and discuss growing concerns about deportations. The meeting emphasized dialogue, understanding, and the need for stronger protection and inclusion in Germany.
At Chapman University, Nobel laureate and human rights advocate Nadia Murad shared her powerful journey from surviving the genocide against the Ezidi people to leading global efforts for justice, remembrance, and survivor recovery. Her words reminded students that resilience begins with compassion — both for others and for oneself.
A new report reveals a sharp rise in suicide cases in Mosul and Shingal, exposing the deepening psychological and social struggles faced by the Ezidi people and other minorities. Between January and September 2025, 84 suicides were recorded in Mosul and 16 in Shingal, most among young people still affected by war, displacement, and trauma.
After years of displacement and political neglect, the Ezidi people are demanding genuine representation. With the Ezidi Cause Alliance uniting candidates across the country, this election marks a defining moment to reclaim their voice, rebuild Shingal, and ensure that Ezidis — not outside powers — shape their own future.
More than a decade after ISIS destroyed Shingal, Germany is urging Iraq to speed up reconstruction of the Ezidi homeland. Despite new laws and aid projects, most Ezidis remain displaced, and rebuilding has stalled amid political tensions and insecurity.
When a Kurdish designer presented a traditional Ezidi dress on the runway in Milan, many applauded the gesture as a sign of inclusion. But is it really recognition—or appropriation? For Ezidi Times, the question runs deeper: why must Ezidis rely on others to showcase their traditions, and what does it mean when their heritage is absorbed into a broader Kurdish narrative? At stake is not just fashion, but the survival of an ancient people’s identity.
Armenia has made progress in supporting minority languages, including Ezidi, but challenges remain in education and protection. Expanded school programs and radio initiatives help, yet teacher shortages and limited offerings threaten language survival. Upcoming legislation offers a key opportunity to safeguard the Ezidi language and culture.
The documentary “Hawar, Our Banished Children” exposes the hidden trauma of Ezidi women raped by ISIS, who now search for the children born from these assaults. With 3,000 women still missing, the film highlights ongoing genocide, the rejection of these children by the Ezidi people, and the first European trials of jihadists for these crimes.
Ezidi wrestler Malkhas Amoyan makes history once again, claiming his second World Championship title in the 77 kg Greco-Roman category with a decisive 10–1 victory over Japan’s Olympic champion Nao Kusaka. Returning to Yerevan, he was celebrated by fans and the Armenian Ezidi community, solidifying his status as the “Ezidi Lion” and an inspiration for young athletes worldwide.
