Sema
The Higher Committee of the Lalish Cultural and Social Center in Duhok, supported by the Office of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Masrour Barzani, and in coordination with the Lalesh Center’s Ba’adhra branch, organized the “Lalesh Questions and Answers” competition on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Ba’adhra Mixed Secondary School. Around 500 students from both the displaced and host communities participated, under the supervision of Dr. Karwan Mohammed Saber from the Office of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Herman Mirza Beg, Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region for Yezidi Affairs, and Salah Haidar, Head of Branch 20 of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, along with Mr. Saeed Jerdo, President of the Lalesh Center. A number of the Lalesh Center’s administrative staff, as well as the leaders and members of the Lalesh Center’s Ba’adhra branch, party and civil society organization representatives, and many residents of Ba’adhra Subdistrict were also in attendance.
Saeed Jerdo, the President of the Lalesh Center, emphasized in his speech the importance of cultural initiatives organized by the Lalesh Center for youth, with support from the Office of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region. He stated, “These initiatives are crucial for enhancing cultural identity, activating the role of students and youth, with the goal of raising cultural awareness and encouraging them to read and learn.” Jerdo added, “The competition program included 50 questions covering various topics, including history, religion, culture, sports, and general knowledge.” He clarified, “This competition is the second edition. The first was held in the Khank Subdistrict on February 8, 2025, and this is the second competition in Ba’adhra. Certainly, this competition added an atmosphere of joy and enthusiasm among the participants.”
On his part, Khalat Ba’adhra, Head of the Lalesh Center in Ba’adhra and Director of the Secondary School, said, “The competition was organized under the supervision of the Higher Committee of the Lalesh Center, in coordination with the Lalesh Center in Ba’adhra and the Directorate of Education in the Shekhan District. This competition played a significant role in motivating students to participate and learn, contributing to the success of this important cultural event.” He continued, “500 students from secondary and middle schools participated, along with other youth from the Ba’adhra area.”
Hudan Amin, one of the students at Ba’adhra Secondary School and a participant in the competition, said, “Participating in such competitions represents a form of motivation, encouragement, and skill development. These competitions should be held in every school due to their great importance and the valuable knowledge gained by the participants.” She also expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the Lalesh Center, including its branches and offices, for organizing the competition. She added, “Such initiatives play a pivotal role in enhancing cultural awareness among participants.”
According to the Lalesh Cultural and Social Center, the “Lalesh: Questions and Prizes” competition is planned to be held in all Yezidi areas, aiming to promote cultural movement and raise the cultural level of students and youth.
After the competition, the names of the winners were announced:
Winners in the First Level:
• Dler Dkhil Abdul
• Berhat Maher Mirza
• Saman Ali Bebo
Winners in the Second Level:
• Bushra Mamo Jouki
• Alan Salam Khidida
• Elias Hassan Elias
Winners in the Third Level:
• Horan Qato Daqo
• Hazar Walid Qoro
• Ato Mamo Jouki
• Hawdan Khalid Nerma
Winners in the Fourth Level:
• Arian Rizan Mirza
• Solaf Hiyaf Jerdo
• Nahla Hassan Shamo
• Dlashad Dkhil Hamid
• Avin Faisal Murad