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.
The University of Kurdistan Hawler, in Coordination with the Yezidi Studies Center, Signs a Research and Educational Cooperation Agreement with the German University of Leipzig
As its first official partnership, the Yezidi Study Center at the Oriental Institute, Leipzig University signed a collaboration agreement with the University of Kurdistan Hewler on March 20, 2023. The representative of two sides, Prof. Dr. Sebastian Maisel, executive director of the Oriental Institute and co-founder of YSC, and Prof. Dr. Keith Sharp, president of UKH aspire to work together in the pursuit of knowledge and the academic exchange of students and faculty with a particular emphasis on Yezidi studies and other fields of common interest. The first steps in this cooperation include joint workshops and summer school programs.Dr. Bayar Mustafa, UKHs Dean of External Engagement and Research, and Dr. Qader Shammo, co-founder of YSC participated in the event and contributed to the drafting of the agreement´s agenda.
The Yezidi Studies Center Highly appreciate for the recognition decision that was made by the German Parliament today
Today on January 19, 2023, the German parliament unanimously recognized the 2014 attacks and crimes committed by the so-called Islamic State against the Yezidi community as genocide. In her remarks, foreign minister Anna-Lena Bärbock, herself being a long-term strong supporter of the Yezidis, remembered the trauma and crimes against humanity the Yezidi community had to endure. The parliament voted to recognize those crimes as genocide as defined by the charter of the United Nations. With this decision, the German parliament made a strong statement demanding political action from the government in support of the Yezidis in Iraq and other places. It is a task for Germany as a whole to raise public awareness of and commemorate the genocide of the Yezidis. Germany is home to the largest diaspora group of Yezidis, where they are an important part of society. The parliament strongly supports and protects the life and the rights of the Yezidis in Germany and abroad. The Yezidi Study Center applauds the German parliament for this decision. The YSC also recognizes the many Yezidi and non-Yezidi organizations who have work hard in the previous years to lobby the German government on this matter. The decision has far-reaching consequences for the Yezidi communities all over the world, and in particular the academic community. Now Yezidi scholars, students and researchers can apply more easily for exchange and educational programs. Other projects focusing on scientific and academic questions will have better chances to get funding that often comes from sources connected to the German government. Today´s decision is a promise and call for increasing our efforts to study, learn and understand Yezidi religion, culture, and heritage. The Yezidi Studies Center will double their efforts to launch academic and humanitarian projects with Yezidi partners to deliver on that promise. https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2023/kw03-de-jesiden-927032
A part of a presentation on Yezidi Studies and Yezidi Studies Center at Leipzig University
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ-RBoWGYxs&t=30s DIES ACADEMICUS 2022 Leipzig University in Germany Celebrated its 613th anniversary on December 2, 2022. The faculties and institutions introduce themselves with exciting program items. Yezidi Studies Center conducted an event at the Faculty of History, Art and Regional Studies about “New horizons in research on Yezidism’’ – Yezidi Studies as a new subject at the Oriental Institute Discussion/talk with Prof. Dr. Sebastian Maisel and Dr. Qader Shammo event on-site and broadcast via live stream.