A recap of the Latest Developments Related to the Ezidis – Arts, Sports and Culture

In this article we give you a recap of the main events related to the Ezidis.

Ezidi Athlete Yurik Mamedov Carried the Olympic Torch

During the torch ceremony held in Paris for the 2024 Paris Olympics game, Yurik Mamedov was one of the torch carriers. Mamedov was supported by his family members and friends who were chanting for him from the crowd. Mamedov showcased the Ezidi flag and used the ceremony as an opportunity to raise awareness of the situation of the Ezidis.

Yurik Mamedov is an Ezidi athlete originally based in Paris, known for his involvement in competitive sports. He has gained recognition for his achievements in professional boxing, representing the Ezidi people and showcasing his skills on both national and international stages.

Mamedov’s dedication to his athletic career is complemented by his advocacy for the Ezidi people, bringing attention to atrocities IS committed against the Ezidis.

Follow Yurik Mamedov on Instagram to show your support for the Ezidi athlete.

AMAR Yazidi Women’s Choir

Since June 2024 until now the Ezidi choir AMAR Ashty Choir is having performances in the UK. The choir was formed in 2019, is a group of eight talented singers from the Khanke refugee camp near Dohuk in Iraq. Founded by 22-year-old Rana Sulaiman Halo and supported by the AMAR Foundation, the choir aims to preserve and showcase the rich heritage of the Ezidi people through music. The choir sings traditional Ezidi folk and sacred songs, a crucial part of the Ezidi’s ancient oral culture.

The choir’s formation was inspired by the need to provide mental health support and preserve Ezidi culture after the Ezidi people were displaced by ISIS attacks in 2014. The AMAR Foundation has played a significant role in supporting the choir through music education programs, mental health services, and recording projects funded by the British Council. These efforts have resulted in an archive of recordings of Ezidi music being donated to the Bodleian Libraries at Oxford University. The choir is set to embark on a groundbreaking tour of the United Kingdom, featuring live performances and recording sessions. During their visit to Oxford, they performed in Blackwell Hall at the Weston Library. This tour aims to raise awareness about the ongoing plight of the Ezidi people, with 195,000 Yazidis still living in camps, unable to return home due to security concerns and lack of infrastructure.

By performing in the UK, the choir seeks to garner support for the Ezidi people, preserve their cultural heritage, and raise funds for essential healthcare and vocational training provided by the AMAR Foundation. The public is encouraged to support the choir by attending performances, sharing their story, and donating to the cause.

Ezidi football player Deniz Undav played for Germany at UEFA EURO 2024

Undav’s football career has been a remarkable journey. Starting in the lower leagues in Germany, he played in the Third Bundesliga until the age of 23. His career took a significant turn when he joined Belgian side Union St-Gillois, where he had an outstanding season in 2021/22, scoring 25 goals and making 10 assists. This performance paved the way for his move to Brighton in England before he eventually signed with Stuttgart.

Deniz Undav, a 27-year-old striker for Stuttgart, has been called up to the German national team and will represent Germany in the 2024 European Football Championship. Born in Germany in 1996 to Ezidi parents from Şanlıurfa, Turkey, Undav’s family fled from Turkey in 1980 due to persecution.

In the 2023/24 season, Undav had an exceptional run, scoring 18 goals and providing 10 assists, helping Stuttgart secure second place in the Bundesliga, finishing ahead of Bayern Munich. His impressive form caught the attention of Bundestim head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who included him in the squad for the UEFA EURO 2024, alongside many other debutants and new faces.

Undav made his debut for Germany on 23 March in a friendly against France, marking his only appearance for the national team so far. His inclusion in the squad for the European Championship is a testament to his hard work and talent.