Lalish
Videos
Lalish is a mountain valley and temple located in the Nineveh Plains of northern Iraq,. It is the holiest temple of the Yazidis. It is the location of the tomb of the Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, a central figure of the Yazidi faith.
Conical roofs over the tomb of Şêx Adî in Lalish
Pilgrims and worshippers at the shrine of Xatûna Fexra in Lalish, with the Micewir of the shrine, Sheikh Mirza (second from left), mid-2019.
The portico of the sanctuary of Lalish, showing carved Yezidi symbols
Yazidism
Videos
Yazidism, also known as Sharfadin, is a monotheistic ethnic religion that originated in Kurdistan and has roots in a western Iranic pre-Zoroastrian religion directly derived from the Indo-Iranian tradition. It is followed by the mainly Kurdish-speaking Yazidis and is based on belief in one God who created the world and entrusted it into the care of seven Holy Beings, known as Angels. Preeminent among these Angels is Tawûsî Melek, who is the leader of the Angels and who has authority over the world.
Pilgrims celebrating the Yazidi new year festival at Lalish, Iraq
Yazidi shrine of Mame Reshan, partially destroyed by ISIL, in the Sinjar Mountains.
Tawûsî Melek depicted as a peacock inside the display case on the grave of a Yazidi believer, cemetery of the Yazidi community in Hanover.
Quba Mêrê Dîwanê is the largest temple of the Yazidis in the world, located in the Armenian village of Aknalich. The temple is dedicated to Melek Taûs and the Seven Angels of Yazidi theology.