The Hindu Response – An Yezidi Perspective
As a Yezidi I am used to genocides. I am
aware that we have a bad neighborhood and that we Yezidis are a
non-Islamic, Kurmanji speaking ethnic group. Our people believe is
reincarnation and do not wish that non-believers burn in hell. In fact
there is no hell in out belief system. Malek Taus extinguished it with
his tears seeing the pain of humanity.Presently we are undergoing our
74th genocide by the Islamic extremists ISIS. Yet this one was different
in every way. During this ongoing Genocide which started on August
3,2014, the ISIS attacked the Kurdish controlled town of Sinjar
(Shingal) and the so-called Kurdish security forces (Peshmarga) escaped
from the city, more than five hours before ISIS attack begun, leaving
the Yezidis unarmed in ISIS’ hands. ISIS then took over the city of
Sinjar, without facing any resistance from Peshmarga. They executed more
than five thousand men, took seven thousand women and girls, who were
then sold into sex slavery . UN had estimated that twelve thousand
Yezidis are still under siege by ISIS on Sinjar Mountain without water,
food ,and medical supplies which led to the death of many children and
women , who died of dehydration according to eyewitnesses. ISIS then
threatened to destroy our holiest place Lalish, which has survived many a
storm, thus threatening to wipe out the 7000 yr old civilization
forever. We looked down the barrel at the mother of all genocides,
abandoned by the world because of our unique faith.
After the media has covered the news of
the Yezidi Genocide ,the Hindu Religious community was one of the
earliest groups that swung into action to help the Yezidis morally and
materially. The Hindu spiritual leader, his Holiness Guruji Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar immediately ordered the International Association for Human
Values to airdrop hundreds of tons of different types of food, water,
winter clothes, and medical supplies for the besieged people on the top
of Sinjar Mountains. This helped to avoid the the humanitarian disaster
that would have otherwise happened because of lack of food, water and
other life necessities. If the Hindu community had not dropped the aids
on the mountain survival for thousands in the mountains would have been
impossible. In our folklore we have heard from generations that our
forefathers came from India and that the Hindus are our brothers. Its a
also a prophecy among the Yezidis that one dayall those who believe in
reincarnation will be united in spiritual harmony. No one thought that
this will be realized in our own lifetime. But it happened, right in
front of our eyes and in full global media glare. People of the “eternal
religion” embracing a 7000 yr old ancient people as brothers. That
makes this genocide very different.
The help and support of the Hindu
Community and his Holiness Guruji Sri Sri Ravi Shankar did not stop at
humanitarian aids alone, but his excellency also met the Yezidi
delegation presented by the Yezidi spiritual leader, His Holiness Baba
Shek who explained the details of Yezidi plight to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
His Holiness (Ravi Shankar) also visited the holiest Yezidi site Lalish
and showed respect for the Yezidi beliefs as representative of a
billion or more Hindus. During the visit in November, Sri Sri personally
went to see the situation of 500,000 displaced Yezidis in refugee camps
in Kurdistan Region, and to know the necessities of the Yezidi refugees
to sustain them in these camps.
His Holiness, Ravi Shankar, also met many
Iraqi and Kurdish political leaders and urged them to help the Yezidis
and provide them with humanitarian aids and help protect the Yezidi
civilians .The Hindu community also had prepared a group of highly
educated Yoga instructors to visit Iraq in order to treat those who had
been released from ISIS and are suffering from psychological trauma.
The efforts of the Hindu community has
extended globally. Yezidis and Hindus jointly organized the DC rally in
the early days of the crisis. Recently $25,000 was raised in a
fundraiser in Houston. Another major one is being planned in San
Francisco, California on the 18th of December, 6:30pm – 8:00pm PST at
the Penninsula Jewish Community Center (800 Foster City Blvd, Foster
City, CA 94404). More fundraisers are in the pipeline. The mother of all
crisis bringing together long lost brothers in a historic embrace and
amidst all the gloom its a celebration for the Yezidis. A celebration
that promises to rewrite years of isolation of our community and face
the world on our own terms.
- by Haji Hamika
Source: WHN Media Network
Source : World Hindu News
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