ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The first international scientific conference focusing on the Yazidis, their history, religion, and language kicked off in Duhok on Tuesday, under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani.

The conference, under the theme of ‘Ezidis: Religion, History, and Geography’ has been organized by the Lalish Center for Enlightenment and Social Affairs and will continue for two days.

Hundreds of guests, including researchers from the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, the Middle East, and Europe will take part in the two-day event at the Conference Center of Duhok province.

At least 60 researchers from over 11 countries are set to discuss the culture, norms, religion, language, and history of the Yazidis during the conference.

Saeed Jirdo, head of the social and cultural center of Lalish, commended Prime Minister Barzani’s efforts to “preserve the history, identity, religion, and geography of the Yazidis.”

“We are thrilled for all he is doing for the Yazidis,” Jirdo added.

Throughout history, Yazidis have been subject to multiple genocides because of their identity, religion, and culture, with the most recent committed by the Islamic State (ISIS)

The ISIS attack on the Yazidi heartland of Sinjar in August 2014 led to the displacement of thousands of the ethnoreligious minority, fleeing their homes in hopes of escaping the militant group’s atrocities.

Over ten years on, thousands of Yazidis remain missing, and tens of thousands of others are unwilling to return to Sinjar due to security concerns exacerbated by a lack of services and reconstruction.