Sema
A new book in German, titled “They Wanted to Exterminate Us: The Genocide Against the Ezidis – History, Religion, Family and the Future of a People,” has recently been published by author Fawaz Fakhri Dawood.
The book consists of 43 chapters exploring Ezidi history, religious beliefs and cultural heritage. It also documents the genocide committed against the Ezidis by the ISIS terrorist organisation in Shingal on 3 August 2014, and the devastating human consequences, including killings, abductions and the separation of families.
The book further sheds light on the suffering of survivors, the fate of missing persons, efforts to achieve justice, and the situation of Ezidis in the diaspora. It also highlights the importance of preserving collective memory and passing on Ezidi identity and heritage to future generations.
Through this work, the author aims to raise wider awareness of the Ezidi cause, deepen understanding of the community’s history and beliefs, and challenge stereotypes and prejudice. The book emphasises that the Ezidis are not merely victims of a historical tragedy, but a people with a distinct identity, culture, history and future.