Erbil, Kurdistan Region – Under the patronage of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the first-ever international scientific conference dedicated to the Yezidi community will take place in Duhok later this month.

Titled The First Yezidi International Scientific Conference, the two-day event will be held from April 29 to 30 at the University of Duhok’s Conference Center. The conference, themed around Yezidi religion, culture, history, and geography, is organized by the Lalish Cultural and Social Center in cooperation with the University of Duhok.

The conference will showcase dozens of research studies and presentations focusing on the Yezidi community’s heritage, historical experiences, and identity. Scholars and researchers from 11 countries are expected to participate, making it the first international academic platform solely dedicated to Yezidi studies.

The event aims to promote scholarly understanding of Yezidi religion and culture while highlighting the community’s role in regional and global history. It also seeks to preserve and document Yezidi identity after years of marginalization and trauma.

The Yezidi community faced a devastating genocide in August 2014 when IS militants attacked the Sinjar region. Thousands were killed or abducted, with over 6,000 women and children taken captive, many subjected to systematic rape, forced labor, and indoctrination.

International organizations, including the United Nations, have recognized these atrocities as genocide. Despite IS’s military defeat, thousands of Yezidis remain displaced, and hundreds are still missing.

This conference marks a significant effort to honor Yezidi history, address past injustices, and strengthen academic and cultural preservation efforts.