Sun over Shengal: Lecture and exciting insights into Lübeck!

Sun over Shengal: Lecture and exciting insights into Lübeck!

On May 16, 2025, the opening event of the lecture tour “Sun over Shengal” took place in the Lübeck Solicenter. This event marks the start of an important information campaign organized by an international youth delegation. The delegation plans to visit around 20 cities in Germany by mid-June to provide information about socio-political developments and the history of the genocide against the Yazidis. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the planned genocide by the so-called Islamic State (IS), which began on August 3, 2014 and led to one of the darkest chapters for the Ezidis.

The delegation's reports aim to raise awareness of the devastating effects of the genocide and raise funds for the construction of a youth sports center in Southern Kurdistan. The Yazidis are one of the oldest monotheistic religious communities in the world and their traditions are deeply anchored in cultural memory. Knowledge is passed on through songs and rituals, with the colors white and black symbolizing peace and mourning.

The consequences of the genocide

After the IS attack in Shengal, thousands of people were murdered or enslaved. Women and children who fell into the clutches of slave owners were particularly affected. The Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (PDK) left the region, resulting in the killing of many people. In the “Red School” young women were cataloged, abducted and forced into forced labor. The majority of survivors fled to the Shengal Mountains under extreme conditions; many died while fleeing or took their own lives. But the intervention of the PKK and YPG/YPJ opened an escape corridor that saved many people's lives.

Despite the ongoing violence, for example due to Turkish army attacks on the infrastructure in Shengal, the Yazidis show impressive resilience. They have begun to build a democratic self-government inspired by a concept of democratic confederalism. This includes a strong emphasis on gender equality, grassroots democracy and self-organization in communities.

Political developments and challenges

A central aspect of the newly created structure are thematic commissions that deal with the areas of women, education and health. In this context, the Autonomy Council of Xanesor was founded and the 5th Congress of Autonomy Councils took place in 2023. The TAJÊ women's movement and organized youth play a key role in this social progress and contribute to sustainable change.

But the situation of the Yazidis in Germany remains tense: over 200,000 live in the Federal Republic, many of whom are threatened with deportation. Furthermore, they must be aware of Germany's critical role in the events at the time, as more than 1,000 Germans joined IS, while arms exports to Turkey supported the attacks on Shengal. The delegation therefore calls for Germany to assume comprehensive responsibility, both in prosecuting the perpetrators and in supporting reconstruction measures.

The ongoing work of the delegation and the lectures in Germany will help raise awareness of the persecution and challenges of the Yazidis. Solidarity in the diaspora has established itself as an important element in the fight against religious persecution and patriarchal violence. The next lecture on the experiences of the democratic revolution in Shengal will take place on June 7th at the Community Art Center in Mannheim, where the dialogue on past and present challenges will continue.

For more information on this topic you can read the articles from anfdeutsch.com and indymedia.org visit.