German Language Course for Preparing Students for A1 Proficiency Test
The Yezidi Studies Center, in collaboration with Leipzig University in Germany and the Nopel Organization for Social Development in Iraq, presents an intensive German language course. Running from March 3 to March 28, 2024, the course meets five days a week, with two hours of morning and two hours of afternoon sessions. Instructed by native German speakers Rosalie and Lina from Germany, the program provides all necessary teaching materials and prepares students for a practice test for the A1 proficiency exam in the Goethe-Institute. Limited to 30 participants, the course fee is only $100 and will be conducted in Sharya/ Duhok. Contact Dilgash Saleem at +9647504294985 for more information. Enhance your language skills and prepare for the A1 proficiency with us! register yourself by clicking here.
2nd Outreach Tour of YSC to the Yezidi Community in Iraq
Congratulations to Our First Cohort of PhD students at Leipzig University – Yezidi Studies Center
The Yezidi Studies Center is pleased to announce the inauguration of its first cohort of PhD students, who start their academic work and research at the Oriental Institute, Leipzig University on October 1, 2023. Over the course of the next years they will use their interdisciplinary skills and competences as well as the facilities and resources here at Leipzig University to produce innovative, first-class research in the field of Yezidi Studies. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Sebastian Maisel, the three candidates approach their topics from different thematic angles (art, psychology, religious studies) using interdisciplinary methodologies and diverse sources and languages: 1. Zaid Khalaf Ali: The Bereavement Program for Yezidi Families2. Musafer Qassim: Erhalt und Verlust jesidischer Symbole 21. Jahrhundert3. Ilyas Isa: Die Tradition der religiösen Gelehrten der Yeziden – Die Träger der oralen TraditionIn due time, the YSC will publish progress reports of their work on our website.
Yezidi Studies Center’s Activities Featured in German Newspaper
We are delighted to announce that the Yezidi Studies Center has received coverage in the Leipzig University newspaper. This recognition underscores our commitment to advancing Yezidi studies and raising awareness about the Yezidi community’s rich cultural heritage and challenges. At the Yezidi Studies Center, we have worked tirelessly to promote understanding and research into the Yezidi community’s history, culture, and contemporary issues. Our dedication has not gone unnoticed, and we are honored to be featured in this newspaper as we continue our mission. We are excited to share our journey with a wider audience and further engage in meaningful dialogue about Yezidi studies. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters, scholars, and allies who have been integral to our success. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in the Yezidi studies
Call for Research Scholarship Applications
The Yezidi Studies Center successfully completed the Summer Semester 2023 Course at the University of Leipzig.
The course on the interdisciplinary nature of Yezidi studies that was offered during the summer semester of 2023 by Prof. Dr. Maisel and Dr. Shammo was successfully completed. Many students from various backgrounds and professions, including (bachelor, master, and Ph.D.) students, attended the course. The course exposed the students to a variety of methodologies that enabled them to investigate Yezidi society, religion, and culture, as well as the current state of Yezidi community development. The students enthusiastically welcomed the course and took part by giving presentations on various Yezidi-related topics. The Yeizid Studies Center will continuously do such programs in the coming semesters.
Yezidi Studies Center in Cooperation with three Famous German Universities and University of Duhok Participating in a Big Project about Yezidi Genocide
A project on Yezidi Genocide was achieved by Dr. Qader Saleem Shammo at Munich University (LMU) in Germany. The project cooperates with the Yezidi Studies Center, and three German universities: Munich University (LMU), Leipzig University, and Erfurt University, in addition to the University of Duhok. The project will look for the roots of Islamic hostility towards Yezidis and Yezidism by comparing historical and contemporary Islamic attitudes and behaviors. It provides a summary of the perspectives of Arab scholars prior to and following the 2014 invasion against the Yezidis. The primary aim of this project is to determine whether the recent genocide committed by the Islamic State (ISIS) has changed the historical stereotypical thoughts of Muslims toward the Yezidis and their faith, which had led to violence and genocide against them and were the cause of their persecution throughout history. Hence, this research rests on determining whether or not the Yezidis will be subject to more genocide, and it aims to provide different conclusions for preventing the occurrence of further persecution against the Yezidis by radical Islamic groups. Cooperation with: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Maisel, Orientalisches Institut, Arabische Sprach- und Übersetzungswissenschaft (Universität Leipzig) Prof. Dr. Christoph Günther, Department of Religious Studies, Chair of Muslim Cultural and Religious History (Universität Erfurt) University of Dohuk, Center for Genocid Studies Yezidi Studies Center For more information about the project visit the following link: Yezidi-Projekt – Institut für den Nahen und Mittleren Osten – LMU München (uni-muenchen.de)
Outreach Tour of the YSC to the Yezidi Community in Iraq
The Response of the Yezidi Community to Germany´s Recognition of the Genocide including Recommended Action
In the summer of 2023, the Yezidi Studies Center will formally begin offering lectures at the University of Leipzig.
