For more than three years, the Yezidi Studies Center at Leipzig University has been carrying out a comprehensive project to document Yezidi holy sites. The initiative aims to preserve this invaluable religious heritage and make reliable information about Yezidi tangible heritage accessible to researchers, communities, and the wider public. These sacred sites form a vital part of Yezidi identity and play an essential role in maintaining the community’s presence in its ancestral homeland.
As part of this long-term effort, the team has conducted extensive fieldwork in Armenia, Germany, and Iraqi Kurdistan region, documenting a large number of Yezidi religious sites. Despite significant progress, the team emphasizes that much work remains due to the vast number of sites located both in the Yezidis’ original regions and across the diaspora.
The team’s latest field visit to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, conducted on November 19, 2025, marked an important milestone. Professor Sebastian Maisel, Dr. Qader Saleem Shammo, and Sami Saleem Shammo visited key religious locations in the Walat Sheikh area, on the slopes of Mount Maqloub, and in the surrounding regions leading to the Lalish Temple. During the visit, the team continued its documentation efforts and held discussions on the historical and spiritual importance of these sites. They also explored strategies to strengthen the project and ensure its long-term completion, an effort they view as crucial for safeguarding Yezidi religious heritage.
