As part of the “Through Dialogue We Remain and Rise” camp activities, participants spent a magical evening atop Sinjar Mountain.
The campers began their ascent from the village of Kursi, accompanied by local youth, both men and women, in a climb that lasted over three hours.
The ascent included a detailed explanation of the mountain and its spiritual and psychological significance for the Yazidis during the 74 genocides they endured throughout history.
At the shrine of the Small Lalish Temple, the campers formed a knowledge gathering led by Dr. Mirza Deneai, head of the House of Coexistence Foundation, who provided participants with a description of the place and its historical and religious significance.
The campers also observed the sunset at Yazidi Mountain while activist Rana Blue explained the symbolism of the sun in Yazidi philosophy and its importance to the Yazidi people.
Afterward, participants camped at the foot of the mountain near the home of Mr. Khalid Haji Rasho. The Rasho family welcomed the participants, who held a gathering with the family discussing popular culture, social heritage of the Yazidis, and shared aspects with families from central and southern cities of Iraq.
The campers also set up a telescope to observe the stars and planets in the clear mountain sky, along with other activities.
This event is part of the Dialogue and Understanding the Other program, launched by the Masarat Foundation for Cultural and Media Development in collaboration with KAICIID and the House of Coexistence.
The “Through Dialogue We Remain and Rise” camp started in Baghdad with youth from Sinjar, joined later by young people from Baghdad in its first phase. The team then traveled to Basra, followed by Dhi Qar, then Nineveh, and after visiting the Old City of Mosul, they have now reached Sinjar and its surroundings. The camp will continue its tour across other Iraqi cities, aiming to promote dialogue as a means of building peace among followers of different religions and combating hate speech.
