President Barzani Congratulates Yazidis on ‘Forty Days of Summer’ Feast
In his statement Barzani said "I convey my warmest congratulations to all sisters and brothers in Kurdish Yazidis community in the Kurdistan Region and the world”.
He also wished Yazidis happiness, prosperity and a peaceful life in federal Iraq.
The Yazidi or Ezidi are a Kurdish religious group, who represent an ancient heterodox religious sect linked to Zoroastranismand Sufism.
The “Forty Days of summer” (Čella-yē hāvīnān) are a period of fasting. On 10 June (Seleucid), a number of religious dignitaries go to Lalesh where they fast for three days; after this they continue their fast at home. A few days before the end of the forty-day period they go back to Lalesh to complete the fast, this time accompanied by other Yazidis; there are then general celebrations to mark the end of the fast.
