Local caretaker appeals for restoration
Yazidi shrine in Sinjar at risk of collapse
SINJAR — The Avdal Yazidi shrine in Rashid village, Shimal sub-district of Sinjar, is threatened with collapse due to severe structural damage. Locals have urgently requested help from the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi federal government.
Barakat Zlfo Ezidin, the shrine’s caretaker, highlighted the dire condition of the site on the Ezidi Media Facebook page. He stressed the urgent need for repairs to the surrounding cemetery, where walls are cracking and areas have already collapsed. “I am writing to urgently appeal for the restoration of the Avdal religious site, which is currently facing the threat of collapse due to its deteriorating condition. This shrine encompasses a large cemetery that houses the graves of many Yazidi figures who have defended the principles of the Yazidi faith over time,” Ezidin stated.
Saud Masto, head of Yazidi affairs at the KRG Ministry of Endowments, acknowledged the problem but clarified jurisdictional limitations, noting that Sinjar falls under the authority of Baghdad. “After being notified, we informed them that Baghdad’s endowments can handle the repairs,” Masto told 964media.
Sinjar, one of the disputed areas between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, was under Kurdish authority after ISIS’s rule was ended in the district in 2015. However, it was taken over by Iraqi forces following the Kurdistan independence referendum.
Ezidin further detailed the visible signs of decay at the site, with evident cracks in walls and ceilings posing significant risks to visitors and worshippers. “Preserving this shrine is a duty for all of us, as it is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of our history,” he added.
Local authorities have been urged to take immediate action to ensure the site’s preservation and safety. The community has also expressed its readiness to support and contribute to the restoration efforts to return the shrine to its original, safe condition.
Yazidi women protest on anniversary of ISIS atrocity
150 security personnel assigned to protect Yazidi shrines in Sinjar
Iraqi Court issues death sentence for a perpetrator of Yazidi genocide
