Latest news with #YazidiNewYear
Iraqi News
17-04-2025
- General
- Iraqi News
A flurry of color fills Nineveh for Yazidi New Year festivities
Nineveh - INA On Thursday, the Yazidi community celebrated their New Year in an annual ritual with a profound spiritual and cultural character, embodying the uniqueness of this ancient component of the region's social and religious fabric. This occasion is one of the most prominent holidays for the Yazidis, as they celebrate it with a series of religious and traditional rituals that reflect the depth of their beliefs and traditions passed down through generations. Idal Jamal, a citizen from Bashiqa, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "We gathered today with everyone to celebrate the Yazidi holiday known as (Sari Sal), which is one of our most important religious holidays. Among the rituals of the holiday are hanging roses on doors and decorating eggs with bright colors." She added, "The holiday is a major religious occasion during which family and relatives meet, visits are made to shrines, and people express their joy on this special occasion." For his part, Janan Elias, a citizen from Bashiqa, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA), "The Yazidi New Year is one of the most important religious occasions. We celebrate it because it is the day on which we believe the universe was created. We all come together to celebrate amidst nature, where we color eggs with colors derived from green nature and perform special rituals that include prayers and making wishes." He added, "Our eternal wish is for this holiday to be a holiday of goodness and peace for all Iraqi people, everywhere." Murad Khairy, a citizen from the Bahzani district, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA), "We celebrate this occasion annually in April. Special events are held to spread a message of love and peace to the world. It is also an opportunity to revive Yazidi heritage and culture, whose roots date back thousands of years."
Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Yazidis celebrate Sere Sal with Joy amid Spring Blooms
Shafaq News/ In the soft glow of an April sunrise, thousands of Yazidis across Iraq and the diaspora emerged from their homes on Wednesday to mark Sere Sal, the Yazidi New Year, a celebration steeped in ancient rituals and the promise of renewal. Observed on the first Wednesday of April in the Yazidi calendar, Sere Sal—literally 'Head of the Year'—ushers in spring with color, memory, and tradition. In towns, villages, and far-flung mountain hamlets, families exchanged warm greetings, visited neighbors, and honored the spirits of loved ones passed. From the district of Sheikhan, east of Duhok, Basma Qasim smiled as she welcomed guests into her home. 'Today is a day of joy,' she told Shafaq News. 'We have been preparing for this for weeks. Since early morning, the house has been full of visitors and children. We've served sweets and cooked kibbeh hamidh, a dish every Yazidi family knows well.' Across the community, the aroma of traditional foods mingled with laughter and music. New clothes were worn, sweets were shared, and tombstones were gently cleaned and adorned with offerings—symbols of continuity and remembrance. 'We visited the graves of our relatives and distributed offerings at the cemetery,' Qasim added, her voice softening with emotion. As dusk fell, another tradition came to life. 'In the evening, we head into nature,' said Khalida Jalal, another resident of Sheikhan. 'We pick red anemones and hang them with colored eggshells on our doors. It's our way of celebrating the beauty of the earth.' Eggs, dyed in brilliant hues, symbolize life, hope, and the eternal cycle of seasons—a message that resonates deeply with a community that has endured immense tragedy and continues to hold fast to its identity and heritage. For the Yazidis, Sere Sal is not just a festival—it is a profound affirmation of survival, resilience, and unity. Amid the blooming fields of northern Iraq, the red anemones sway gently in the wind, as if whispering ancient blessings for a brighter year ahead.
Iraqi News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Prime Minister Congratulates Yazidis on Yazidi New Year
Baghdad – INA Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani congratulated the Yazidi community on Wednesday on the occasion of the Yazidi New Year. In a post on the "X" platform, followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Sudani said: "We extend our congratulations to our Yazidi people on the occasion of the Yazidi New Year, which falls today, Wednesday, April 16. This occasion represents a testament to the national and cultural diversity of our beloved country.". He added, "Our government has worked to redress the rights of all Iraqis, including the Yazidis, who were deprived of their national rights during the era of the former regime and suffered crimes at the hands of the terrorist ISIS gangs. We have issued decisions and directives to redress them, including the decision to issue title deeds for residential lands that the dictatorial regime deprived them of, the reconstruction of their areas and holy temples, the opening of branches of official departments and institutions, in addition to activating the law for Yazidi female survivors and other components, confirming our concern and care for the honorable Iraqi people."
Rudaw Net
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Kurdistan Region a ‘catalyst for peace,' says President Barzani
Also in Kurdistan Sulaimani Forum to host Kurdish, Iraqi leaders amid shifting regional dynamics Kurdish leaders extend Yazidi New Year wish, urge protection of community's rights Kurdish leaders congratulate Duhok SC on historic Gulf Club Champions League victory Duhok SC crowned Gulf Clubs Champion after thrilling win A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday stated that the role of the Kurdish people in ensuring regional peace is crucial and that the Region has always been a 'catalyst for peace.' 'The Kurdistan Region has consistently demonstrated its role as a catalyst for peace and stability, and it is well-positioned to contribute positively to enhancing security and peace in the region,' President Barzani said at the Sulaimani Forum 2025. 'The Kurds and the people of Kurdistan are inherently peaceful. Whenever there has been a hint of peace, the people of Kurdistan embraced it with optimism,' Barzani added, calling on the Kurdistan Region's parties to adhere to peace. He warned that ignoring Kurdish rights has repeatedly fueled conflict and suffering in the region, explaining that history has proven that attempts to erase a 'nation of tens of millions' from their homeland have always been futile, referring to the Kurds. 'Let us reach out with gestures of friendship and work towards achieving enduring peace through collaboration and harmonious coexistence,' the Kurdistan Region's president proposed. Barzani described recent peace efforts in Turkey as a historic opportunity and voiced full support for the renewed push toward resolving the conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). He said the moment offers a chance to boost regional stability and begin a new phase of constructive cooperation that benefits all sides. 'The power of peace is greater than the power of all wars,' he said. At the end of February, the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) shared with the public a letter from Ocalan, the leader of the PKK, who is imprisoned on Imrali island. In the letter, he urged the group to disarm and disband. His message has sparked hope for an end to four decades of a conflict that has taken 40,000 lives. The PKK subsequently announced a unilateral ceasefire and said they would hold a congress to discuss their future, but have insisted that Ocalan should be released from jail to lead the process. Ankara has demanded that the PKK immediately surrender and dissolve itself. This peace process appeared to begin last October, when Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, who is known for his nationalist remarks and is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main ally, extended his hand to Kurdish lawmakers in the parliament. Following his remarks on Turkey, Barzani shifted focus to Syria, emphasizing the need for progress there as part of broader regional stability efforts. On Kurdish unity in Syria, President Barzani praised the Kurds' efforts, saying they 'have made significant strides toward consolidating their demands,' expressing hope that the Kurds in Syria can create a democratic country that 'upholds the rights of all communities,' in coordination with the Government. Barzani called on Damascus to safeguard all of Syria's components with proper representation. President Barzani also thanked Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for his commitment to strengthening ties between Erbil and Baghdad and urged the prompt implementation of Article 140 in the Iraqi constitution. Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution details steps to resolve a dispute between the federal and regional government who both claim jurisdiction over disputed areas of the country, such as Kirkuk province. Successive federal governments have failed to implement the article. 'I would like to stress the importance of promptly implementing the law concerning the restitution of property and reactivating the committee responsible for executing Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution,' he affirmed. Six months after the Kurdistan parliamentary elections, President Barzani also called on the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to expedite government formation. 'This government must meet the expectations of its citizens and effectively address the ongoing developments and challenges,' said the Kurdistan Region's president. President Barzani also addressed the climate change challenges Iraq is facing. He stressed that climate change is greatly impacting 'numerous regions of Iraq, where countless individuals have been compelled to relocate due to water scarcity.' He noted, the Kurdistan Region supports joint cooperation and international backing to address climate change and water scarcity, adding that the global community must take collective responsibility for tackling shared challenges like climate change, terrorism, and food security. Iraq's water mainly comes from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, with 75 percent sourced from neighboring Iran and Turkey, and 20 to 25 percent from internal sources. While Iran affects water flow through rivers like the Karun and Karkheh, Turkey controls the headwaters via dams like the Ataturk Dam. Iraq lacks a comprehensive water-sharing agreement with both countries. Accordingly, water scarcity is a critical issue in Iraq, threatening all aspects of society. According to the United Nations Global Environment Outlook 6 (GEO-6), Iraq is the fifth most vulnerable country globally to reduced water availability and extreme temperatures, based on data from 2020–2021. He also congratulated Halabja on the recent bill passed by the Iraqi parliament, recognizing it as a province. In December 2013, the Iraqi Council of Ministers approved a proposal to make Halabja the country's 19th province, separating it from Sulaimani province. However, political disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, along with divisions among Sunni and Shiite lawmakers, stalled the bill for over ten years. The gruesome chemical attack on Halabja was part of the broader Anfal campaign, launched by Saddam Hussein's regime in the late 1980s. The campaign, carried out in eight phases across the Kurdistan Region, resulted in the deaths of over 182,000 Kurds and the destruction of more than 4,500 villages.
Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Yazidi New Year: President Barzani extends greetings on Çarşema Sor
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani extended his greetings to Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region and around the world on the occasion of the Yazidi New Year. In a statement released by his office, Barzani wished Yazidis a peaceful and joyful celebration, expressing hope that the holiday would bring prosperity and happiness to all people in the Region. He reiterated the Kurdistan Region's commitment to supporting the rights and legitimate demands of the Yazidi community and all other ethnic and religious groups. 'Kurdistan will remain a land of coexistence, tolerance, and mutual respect for all,' Barzani said, reaffirming the Region's policy of inclusivity. Also known as "Çarşema Sor" or Red Wednesday, the Yazidi New Year, celebrated on the first Wednesday of April according to the Eastern calendar, marks the arrival of spring and spiritual renewal for the Yazidi community.
