Yazidi in United States


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Yazidi or Yezidi are a Kurdish people whose homeland is northern Iraq. They practice their own brand of monotheism dating from the 12th century. Some experts see similarities between the Yazidi religion and Zoroastrianism. The Yazidi have been severely persecuted by Muslims who often see them as "devil worshippers." A complete Bible became available in the language of the Yazidi, Northern Kurdish, in 2008.


Where Are they Located?

Due to persecution many Yazidi have left Iraq and live in at least nine other countries including the United States.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The tradition occupation of the Yazidi in their homeland was agriculture, animal husbandry and shop keeping. After fleeing Iraq, the Yazidi in western nations have to take lower level jobs as they learn English and obtain new job skills. These include cleaning homes, working as domestics and as retail clerks. The Yazidi have high hopes for their children who get university degrees. The Yazidi are a "closed community" which attempts to avoid prolonged contact with non-Yazidis, accepts no converts and will often try to kill a daughter or son who marries outside the religion. The Yazidi in the USA must learn that "honor killings" are not acceptable in western society and will result in serious legal consequences.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Yazidis believe God created the world and then created seven archangels to rule it. One of them, the Peacock Angel, passed a test by God in which he would not bow down and worship Adam. As a result he was made the "god of this world." This story is similar in Islam regarding Satan. However, the Muslim belief is that Satan was punished for not bowing down. The Peacock Angel is "Melek Taus" or "Shaytan". The latter is the name in the Koran for Satan, which probably leads Muslims to think that Yazidis worship Satan. Yazidis are forbidden to speak the name "Shaytan." Their world view revolves around angels. Besides praying toward the sun, they will fast for certain angels who control the affairs of this world. They aren't supposed to wear the color blue or eat lettuce. Their holy day is Wednesday and they aren't supposed to take showers on that day. They celebrate New Year's Day as the first Wednesday in the month of Nisan. This is the day they believe the Peacock Angel comes to the earth as God's representative. They believe that Jesus Christ is a light of God but are more focused on angels and pleasing them.


What Are Their Needs?

The Yazidi in the USA must learn English and new job skills. Believers can help the Yazidi will their physical needs and then tell the Yazidi about the Savior. Most of all the Yazidi must understand that only Jesus can forgive their sin and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to raise up a disciple making movement among the Yazidi in the USA and Europe. Pray the Lord moves believers to help the American Yazidi in practical ways. Pray that the Yazidi leaders and heads of families would be open to the claims of Jesus Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Yazidi in United States.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Yazidi
People Name in Country Yazidi
Pronunciation yah-ZEE-dee
Alternate Names Yezidi
Population this Country 4,200
Population all Countries 782,000
Total Countries 10
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 20455
ROP3 Code 116305
ROP25 Code 308985
ROP25 Name Yazidi
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Primarily Lincoln, Nebraska   Source:  Field worker
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Primarily Lincoln, Nebraska.   Source:  Field worker

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Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Religion Subdivision: Prakriti
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.50 %)
2.40 %
Ethnic Religions
97.60 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kurdish, Northern
Language Code kmr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
English
Primary Language Kurdish, Northern
Language Code kmr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  English
People Groups Speaking Kurdish, Northern

Primary Language:  Kurdish, Northern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1856-2016)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1872-2005)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2008)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Kurdish, Northern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kurdish, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source manothegreek 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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