A new petition launched by Layal Duran is calling on political decision-makers in Germany and Europe to officially recognize Ezidis as an independent people with their own religious, cultural and historical identity.
The petition, titled “Recognition of the Ezidis as an Independent People,” calls for stronger political, legal and social protection of Ezidis, as well as greater recognition of their distinct history, culture, language, religion and heritage.
At the time of writing, the petition had received 11 verified signatures and was working toward its first goal of 25 signatures.
The petition states that Ezidis are an ancient people with their own independent religion, culture, traditions and historical identity. Their religion, Sharfadin, has its own beliefs, rituals, oral traditions and religious teachings. It is not part of Islam or any other religion.
The petition also addresses the misunderstandings that often surround Ezidi identity in public discussions. It argues that Ezidis are frequently misidentified or placed under other ethnic or religious labels, despite having their own distinct identity and history.
For centuries, Ezidis have faced persecution, discrimination, displacement and violence. The petition highlights the genocide committed by ISIS in 2014 as one of the most devastating attacks against the Ezidi people in modern history. Many Ezidis continue to live with the consequences of this genocide, while also fighting to preserve their religion, culture, language and sacred heritage.
According to the petition, official recognition is necessary in order to protect Ezidi identity and secure the rights of Ezidis in Germany, Europe and beyond.
The demands include official recognition of Ezidis as an independent people, stronger protection of their political, legal and social rights, measures to preserve and promote Ezidi religious, cultural and linguistic traditions, recognition of their long history of persecution and discrimination, and increased international attention to their human rights and need for protection.
The petition also calls for the protection and preservation of Ezidi cultural and religious places.
Official recognition is especially important in everyday life. When Ezidis are wrongly placed under an imposed Kurdish identity, authorities often assign them the wrong interpreters during appointments with government offices, asylum authorities, healthcare services or social services. This creates serious misunderstandings, because the interpreter does not speak the right language or understand the Ezidi context, Sharfadin, culture and history. Recognising Ezidis as an independent people is therefore necessary for accurate interpretation, fair treatment and proper representation.
Official recognition will also spread awareness and knowledge about Ezidi identity within official institutions in Germany. This will reduce the burden on individual Ezidis, who are currently forced to explain their identity again and again whenever they deal with authorities, public offices or official appointments. Recognition will help prevent Ezidis from being placed under an imposed Kurdish identity and will make it clearer that Ezidis are an independent people with their own religion, Sharfadin, language, culture and history.
