Author: Patrick Harrigan

Pact of Autonomy declared by Five Indigenous Nations of the Middle East

[Lalish, Ezidikhan (Iraq) 17 October 2019] – Faced with acts of violent atrocities, forced displacement and genocide, representatives of the Yezidi, Zoroastrian, Mandaean, Romani, and Shabak communities announced in a joint proclamation their commitment to formalize their political autonomy distinct from the states of Syria, Turkey, and Iraq. and the formation of the Alliance of Indigenous Nations of the Middle East. Twelve national delegates met in a general assembly on 6 October during the Jamayi Session of the Ezidikhan government’s conference held in Shingal, Ezidikhan (Iraq) to negotiate and sign the Proclamation of the Alliance of Indigenous Nations of the Middle East.

Food Relief for Yezidi IDPs

The Provisional Government of Ezidikhan has begun to deliver supplemental food items to needy Yezidi families living in IDP camps.

Ezidikhan to investigate allegations of ISIS-KRG collusion

In a momentous decision, Ezidikhan’s Governing Council has unanimously adopted a resolution asserting Ezidikhan’s right to investigate alleged acts of genocide by regional militias including Kurdish forces as well as atrocities committed by Daesh extremists.

Ezidikhan delivers a municipal water system to Siba Sheikh

Sewa International and the Government of India collaborated with the Government of Ezidikhan to complete this large-bore water project for Shingal's 23,000 strong Siba Sheikh community.

The Government of Ezidikhan is beginning to deliver results of its visionary pledge to ‘Return and Rebuild’ with a new water well system installed at Siba Sheikh Kadir collective on the south side of Shingal mountain. With project funds provided by the Government of India to the Ezidikhan Government, the project broke ground in October 2018. The newly finished water system was inaugurated in January 2019 and now serves all 23,000 inhabitants of the sprawling Siba Sheikh Kadir collective.

An interview with Ezidikhan Justice Minister Nallein Sowilo

Residents of Shingal’s Sinune subdistrict predominantly populated by Yezidis stage protests to reject the return of former Shingal administration officials. Nov 9th 2018

Julian Langer interviews Ezidikhan Justice Minister Nallein Sowilo The Yezidi are an ancient indigenous community, whose ties to the lands in Northern Iraq stretch back to Mesopotamia. Their religious practices draw from Mesopotamian-theology, which is primarily characterized by the worship

Arson ring targets Head of Ezidikhan Investigative Team on Genocide

The genocide-hit village of Kocho south of Shingal has been hit by a devastating fire destroying crops, livestock and far, machinery.

Dr. Abdul Qader Al-Rawi, the Senior Investigator for the Ezidikhan Investigative Team on Genocide, has been shot and killed yesterday outside his home by an assassin at close range while leaving on his way to his clinic in Anbar Province.

Ezidikhan Government Condemns Crop Arson

Loss of costly farm machinery to systematic arson is a staggering blow to struggling farmers.

A sudden and mysterious wave of fires, blamed on the Islamic State, has been burning tens of thousands of acres of Yezidi cropland, destroying a rare bumper crop of wheat and barley and threatening the already impoverished families and their livestock with starvation.

Baba Sheikh: “Our hearts go out to the innocent victims in Sri Lanka.”

“Our hearts go out to the innocent victims in Sri Lanka where so many were killed and injured in this senseless acts of terrorism. It wasn’t so long ago when our community in Iraq faced such actions by ISIS. When we hear of such terrorism, the Yezidi community can relate and empathize as a people persecuted because of our ethics of tolerance and good will to all. Our love goes out to the victims and families and to all of Sri Lanka.” -Baba Sheikh Khurto Hajji Ismail

Ezidikhan Governing Council approves Food Code

A Food Code for Ezidikhan (GCR 5-20-02-19) has been unanimously adopted by the Governing Council of the Nation of Ezidikhan. The Code establishes definitions; sets standards for handling, distribution, management and personnel, food operations, and equipment and facilities; and provides for food establishment plan review, permit issuance, inspections, employee restrictions, and permit suspension based in Ezidikhan customary practices and widely accepted standards for promotion of public health.

‘Seeds of Life’ Agriculture Project launched by Ezidikhan

Seeds of Life seeds await shipment from New Delhi to Ezidikhan. Photo taken 2019-02-10

The Ezidikhan government has announced that the Government of India has agreed to provide aid for Ezidikhan’s Seeds of Life pilot project. The horticulture project includes a greenhouse, training for three Ezidikhan citizens, planting of 450 fruit and nut trees employing hundreds of workers, planting of vegetables crops that will employ twelve workers.