RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN IRAQ : co-existence, faith and recovery after isis

Th e origin of this book lies in a two-year work experience between 2016 and 2017, in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish semi-autonomous region in the north of Iraq. I worked there as university lecturer and as Director of the Center for Genocide Studies. It was during that time that I met all the people without whom it would have been impossible to write this book. I am extremely grateful to Farhad al-Kake for introducing me to the Kakai community and its sacred land of Hawar. I am also grateful to his family for their hospitality and the aff ection they always showed me. Within the Kakai community, I would like to thank Rashid Luqman for sharing with me his knowledge of the Kakai religion and, in particular, for sharing with me unpublished, fascinating stories from the Saranjam, the Kakais' sacred book, and for introducing me to their rites. Th e insight and the commitment he showed were pivotal for the completion of this book. I also thank Leyla and Shadmo for their help and for sharing their life experiences with me. I am grateful to Adel Kakay for sharing his knowledge of the Kakai religion and culture and for the translation of part of the notebook written by the dervish, Rashid of Hawar, for the British diplomat, C. J. Edmonds. My thanks also go to Ako al-Kake for his hospitality during our visits to Halabja and Hawar. I am grateful to Ranin Taher from the Shlomo Organization, Erbil, and her family for their help and hospitality. From the same organization, I also thank Faris Yousif Jeojo. My thanks also to Vian Ako and Nozad Polis Akim for their help and hospitality. I would also like to express my gratitude to Father Ghazwan, Father Ammon, Father Behnam Benoka, Father Noel Kosso, Archbishop Michaeel Najeeb and Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda for their invaluable contribution to this research. My thanks also to John Neill for his help in Erbil and Suha Rassam for her availability. In addition, I am grateful to Khadher Domle for his availability and support during the collection of information about the Yezidi community and for providing me with the testimony of his own experience in saving Yezidi women from captivity. I also wanted to thank him for his time and commitment to my research in Erbil and during the writing of this book. "The religious minorities of Iraq suffered immense violence at the hands of ISIS and they are now trying to rebuild their lives. In their own words, this book tells their stories of resilience against oppression, creativity in the darkest moments, and hope amidst death. Covering the experiences of the Christians, Kakais, Yezidis, Sunni Muslims and Shabaks, among others, this is an in-depth investigation that reveals how the different communities narrate their beliefs and deal with life and recovery in the aftermath of ISIS. Existing literature on the religious minorities in Iraq treats them in isolation as if they do not interact. This is the first book to show that a strong network between them operates in the absence of a strong civil society and based on a common desire to coexist, reconstruct their society and build peace. Over three years, the author visited religious and archaeological sites and interviewed more than one hundred people between representatives of the religious communities, academics, activists, politicians, policy makers and refugees. Among them are victims and persecutors, men, women and children, all who have been overwhelmed by the tragic events of the last few years. The author shows that all these groups are animated by the same desire for a new, more tolerant society and that their treatment of each other is nurtured by their shared experience of persecution and oppression"-- Provided by publisher Cover Halftitle page Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents Figures Foreword Father Dr Gharzwan Yousif Baho Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction 1 The Kakais of Iraq Origins, history and religion The sacredness of the Zagros Mountains Saranjam: The holy book of the Kakais Purity via 1,001 reincarnations Resistance and persecution Rhythm, harmony and soul Old stories, new stories, old fears, new fears: We are not Muslims! 2 Hope and resilience Christians in Iraq Jonas the Prophet of Mosul From Baghdad to the Nineveh Plain and back Mosul in the crossfire In the shadow of the Christian Cross Erbil ‘Pinnacle of Towns’ Ankawa: The largest Christian enclave in the Middle East Pope Francis: An unexpected visit Politics of divisions in the Christian community 3 Survival Yezidis and the power of testimony Women victims of the past, protagonists of change The Kurdish Regional Government: Transition or change?22 Did ISIS manage to destroy the Yezidis? Strategies of survival in the Yezidi community 4 Unheard Muslim voices The Sunnis The tragedy of the Sunnis Shabak: From victims to persecutors Bartalla: From Christian stronghold to Shabak headquarters 5 The challenge of statehood and modernity for the Kurds Baghdad vs Erbil Legislating for the Kurds Guaranteeing citizens’ rights The leverage of the minorities Conclusion Glossary Notes Bibliography Index