Iraqi Yazidis struggle to integrate after finding refuge in ArmeniaMay 2, 2017 - 12:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Thomson Reuters Foundation in a recently-published feature has weighed in on the difficulties that Iraqi Yazidis face after fleeing Sinjar to various countries, including Armenia. 35,000 Armenian Yazidis who have been settled in Armenia for more than a century, have recently been joined by Yazidi families who have fled the Islamic State offensive in northern Iraq. For new arrivals, like Ara (who did not want to give his full name), however, life has been a struggle in Armenia. "We thought we would find peace here, but it's difficult," said Ara. "Here they think we are too different, that we are not real Yazidis anymore." Armenian Yazidis say they believe that their ethnic kin from Sinjar have been influenced by the Islamic traditions of the Iraqi majority. "Our way of life is too different from theirs. They are all Muslims now," said Sevak Mouradyan - an Armenian Yazidi. "We fear that they will bring instability and terror to our homes." In an effort to smooth integration, the Armenian government has started construction of the largest Yazidi temple outside Iraq to commemorate those killed at Sinjar and to honour Armenian Yazidis. In August 2014, Islamic State militants began an assault on the Yazidi religious community's heartland in Sinjar, northern Iraq, home to around 400,000 Yazidis. The insurgents systematically killed, captured and enslaved thousands of Yazidis, whose beliefs combine elements of several ancient Middle Eastern religions and are regarded by Islamic State as infidels. UN investigators estimate more than 5,000 Yazidis have been rounded up and slaughtered and some 7,000 women and girls forced into sex slavery. Photo. Reuters Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |