Historic Progress in Yezidi Studies: Establishing a Yezidi Culture, History, and Heritage Department at the University of Leipzig.
Yezidi studies as part of their academic achievements. This milestone establishes a strong foundation for Yezidi Studies as a formal discipline, allowing future scholars to specialize and graduate as experts in this field. With this unprecedented progress, Leipzig University has set a new standard for the advancement of Yezidi studies in academia. In groundbreaking years for Yezidi studies, Leipzig University celebrated the successful completion of an interdisciplinary courses on Yezidi society, religion, History and culture, led by Prof. Dr. Sebastian Maisel and Dr. Qader Saleem Shammo. Throughout the 2023–2024 academic years, students from diverse backgrounds—including bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. candidates joined these innovative courses, which equipped them with a wide range of research methodologies to examine Yezidi heritage and contemporary community developments. Participants engaged actively, presenting research on varied topics related to Yezidi culture and religious practices, and expressing enthusiasm for the courses’ novel, in-depth approach. Their response underscores the rising interest and importance of Yezidi studies within academia. Offered Courses: Winter Semester 2023–24: “Religiöse Texte und Orte im Ezidentum” (Religious Texts and Sites in Yezidism), at Leipzig University. Summer Semester 2024: “Die Geschichte der Eziden im Osmanischen Reich” (The History of the Yezidis in the Ottoman Empire), at Leipzig University. Summer Semester 2024: Kurdish Language Course for students from both LMU Munich and Leipzig University, led by Dr. Shammo and Sami Shammo. Winter Semester 2024–25: “Sprache und Identität der Eziden” (Language and Identity of the Yezidis), at Leipzig University. The success of previous courses has inspired Leipzig University’s Yezidi Studies Center to expand its offerings and work to announce a special department for Yezidi studies at the University of Leipzig.
Defending Heritage: The Yezidi Fight Against Demographic Transformation in Sharya Complex
Announcing Historical Achievements in the Field of Yezidi Studies
Munich – October 28, 2024: The Center for Yezidi Studies announces the conclusion of an understanding for joint scientific support with the Universities of Munich and Leipzig, during a meeting between Professor Sebastian Meisel and Dr. Qader Saleem Shammo, representatives of the Yezidi Studies Center, and Prof. Dr. Andreas Kaplony Chair of Studies on the Arabic and Islamic world at the University of Munich. The aim of this understanding is to provide support for the projects of the Yezidi Studies Center, which will contribute to achieving important and historical achievements in the field of Yezidi Studies, and to enhance academic understanding of Yezidi culture and history. This partnership provides new opportunities for academic cooperation and research projects, and will be announced soon, which will push Yezidi studies to new horizons on the global scientific level.
Yezidi Studies at University of Leipzig and Department of Arabic Studies at Yerevan State University Collaborate to Promote Yezidi Studies
The Oriental Institute at the University of Leipzig and the Department of Arabic Studies at Yerevan State University (YSU) organized a joint workshop at YSU from October 1–5, 2024. a panel on Yezidi Studies were presented by the Yezidi Studies Center, which the representers Professor Sebastian Meisel and Dr. Qader Saleem Shammo emphasized on the center’s prospects and continuing activities while promoting Yezidi Studies’ mission, goals, and important work for the Yezidi community. They also looked into methods to improve Yezidi Studies’ standing and exrtends their activities. During their stay, the delegation visited the Yezidi community at Quba Mêrê Dîwanê, the Yezidi temple located in Aknalich, Armavir Province, on September 29. They engaged with the local community, learning about their current conditions and observing traditional ceremonies held at the temple in honor of Sultan Izi Twaf. Additionally, the delegation visited the Yezidi Genocide Commemoration Monument in Yerevan. They also participated in the opening ceremony of the statue of Jahangir Agha in Sardarapat Memorial in Armenia on September 30, 2024. Their visit also included a tour of the Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley, a site dating back to the 4th century AD, nestled in rugged mountains. The architecture of the monastery was noted for its resemblance to the style of the Lalish Temple, a key site of the Yezidi people globally.
Yezidi Studies Center Participate in the Commemoration Event for 10th Anniversary of the Yezidis Genocide
During an event on August 3, 2024, in Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, a roundtable discussion titled “Future Prospects for the Yezidis” was organized by the University of Kurdistan-Hewlêr and its partners to mark the tenth anniversary of the Yezidi genocide. Dr. Qader Saleem Shammo delivered a presentation during this discussion, emphasizing the vital role of academic institutions, especially the Yezidi Studies Center at Leipzig University in Germany, in supporting the Yezidi community as they strive to overcome the devastating aftermath of the genocide perpetrated by the Islamic State. Dr. Shammo underscored the importance of documenting the testimonies of Yezidi survivors, as well as those of perpetrators and their atrocities committed against the Yezidis. He stressed that recording these events on a scientific and academic foundation by specialized academics in study centers affiliated with internationally recognized institutions would result in documents and primary evidence acknowledged globally. These records could be pivotal in prosecuting criminals and serve as historical information to educate societies about the profound danger these crimes pose to human lives. Furthermore, they could act as a deterrent to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities. By ensuring these crimes are remembered and addressed, Dr. Shammo highlighted the critical role of academia in contributing to justice, education, and the prevention of future genocides.
Yezidi Studies Center at Leipzig University and University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH) Forge Stronger Ties to Benefit Yezidi Community
In a significant meeting aimed at fostering academic and cultural collaboration, the representative of the Yezidi Studies Center at Leipzig University Dr. Qader Shammo met with UKH president Professor Keith Sharp accompanied by Dr. Bayar Mustafa, the Dean of External Engagement and Research at UKH in June 2, 2024. The primary focus of the discussions was to activate the articles of the memorandum of understanding which previously signed between the parties and to translate these into tangible activities that will serve the Yezidi community in both educational and cultural realms.An agreement was reached to initiate a key activity aimed at exploring pathways to a better future for the Yezidi community. This event is scheduled to take place in the near future, reflecting the commitment of both institutions to meaningful engagement and support for Yezidi society.
Partnership Announcement
The Yezidi Studies Center (YSC) at the Oriental Institute, Leipzig University, represented by Prof. Sebastian Maisel, Dr. Qader Shammo and Sami Shamo, signed a memorandum of understanding and partnership agreement with Duhok Polytechnic University (DPU) today at DPU´s main campus in Duhok in the presence of Prof. Dr. Muayad Barakat, Vice President for Academic and Financial Affairs, Dr. Yaman al-Kamaki, Vice President for Scientific Affairs and Postgraduate Studies and Dr. Sherwan Sefdeen, Director of International Relations. With our new academic partner, we plan to conduct joint research projects, focus on faculty and student exchange, and ultimately strengthen our international network with partners who share our scientific and institutional vision and goals. With DPU, we will engage in various activities and projects focusing on improving the educational situation for marginalized and underrepresented communities, especially the Yezidis.
Third International Conference on Genocide and Peacebuilding
The Yezidi Studies Center with Prof. Sebastian Maisel and Dr. Qader Shammo participated in this 2-day academic gathering at Suleimani University from May 29 – 30, 2024. The Center for Genocide and Peacebuilding invited us to lead a panel exclusively on the Yezidi Feminicide/Genocide. Our PhD student Roshna Emin also participated in the panel. Prof. Maisel talked about Genocide and Peacebuilding – The Case of the Yezidis. Dr. Qader´s talk was about Reevaluating Islamic Perspectives on Yezidis in Post-2014 Genocide: Historical Comparisons and Contemporary Initiatives for Coexistence, and Roshna Emin spoke about her PhD topic, Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War and Genocide: The Yezidi Women’s Experience. A lively discussion followed the presentation. After the panel, the YSC team met many new colleagues and scholars expanding our academic network. Two other doctoral students from the Oriental Institute at Leipzig University, Niga Shawkat and Zaid Khalaf Ali, also joined the conference, thus making it a great representation of our team.
Congratulations to Nadia Murad: Inspiring Yezidi Students’ Academic Journey
The Yezidi Studies Center congratulates Nadia Murad on her graduation with a BA in Sociology from American University in Washington, DC. She accomplished this milestone in her academic career despite all the challenges she had to overcome. Nadia Murad stands out as a role model for many other Yezidi students, especially female students, who work on their dreams for education, knowledge and empowerment. Like she, many other Yezidi students were either prevented from going to school or had to leave school because of the discrimination they faced from their religious, political, and social adversaries.The Yezidi Studies Center has as its core mission the improvement of the educational situation for all Yezidi students, in school or university. We offer guidance on how to continue your education or to obtain a university degree. We support research in Yezidi Studies from various angles in the humanities and social sciences. Assessing both formal and religious education especially within the Yezidi community is one of our main research topics.We welcome the opportunities given to Yezidi students at universities worldwide and congratulate all of them on their academic success and accomplishments.
New Horizons: First Volume of Yezidi Studies Center Series Now Available
The Yezidi Studies Center in Leipzig University in Germany is thrilled to announce the launch of its first highly anticipated series of publications named “Yezidi Studies”, with the inaugural book titled “I Won’t Let Them Be Like Me: Ezidi Women’s Agency and Identity After the Sinjar Genocide” by esteemed author R. Katham Lechowick. The launch of “Yezidi Studies” represents a pivotal moment in the scholarly discourse surrounding Yezidi culture, providing a dedicated platform for researchers and academics to delve into the multifaceted dimensions of Yezidi history, beliefs, and practices. With an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, the Yezidi Studies Center aims to amplify diverse voices from within the Yezidi community and beyond, fostering greater understanding and appreciation for this ancient and resilient culture. Through rigorous research and interdisciplinary collaboration, the “Yezidi Studies” series endeavors to challenge existing paradigms, illuminate untold stories, and foster meaningful dialogue across cultural boundaries. Each publication within the series promises to offer fresh insights and perspectives, enriching the academic landscape and contributing to a deeper understanding of Yezidi heritage. Furthermore, the Yezidi Studies Center extends an open invitation to scholars actively working in the field of Yezidi studies to submit their book manuscripts for consideration in future volumes of the series. This inclusive approach reflects the Center’s commitment to nurturing collaboration and promoting the dissemination of diverse perspectives within the academic community.