On Tuesday, the first international scientific conference on the Yazidis began in Duhok Governorate under the theme “Religion, Culture, History, and Geography,” with broad participation from 105 researchers representing 11 different countries.

According to sources, the conference aims to highlight Yazidi identity, document the suffering of this religious minority, and correct misconceptions associated with it.

During a seminar held on the sidelines of the conference, Iraqi MP Vian Dakhil criticized what she described as the “ongoing governmental neglect” of the Yazidis’ cause, noting that their suffering is not prioritized by Iraqi authorities. 

Dakhil emphasized that thousands of displaced residents from Sinjar have been living in camps in the Kurdistan Region since 2014, facing dire humanitarian conditions amid the absence of sustainable solutions. She called on the Iraqi government to implement the Sinjar Agreement signed between Baghdad and Erbil, or at least to work on returning displaced people to their original areas, rehabilitating infrastructure, and ensuring security and stability in Sinjar. She stressed that the lack of official attention perpetuates the marginalization and continuous suffering of the Yazidi community.

Meanwhile, Karwan Ajib, media coordinator at the Lalish Cultural Center, affirmed that the conference will last two days and include several scientific seminars to discuss the historical and current challenges faced by the Yazidis.

Ajib explained that one of the goals of the conference is to introduce Yazidism as an authentic religion and culture and to combat the widespread misconceptions about it.