Church of England helps Yazidis to get official recognition for their faith

Leaders of the Yazidis have asked the Church of England to help their religion be officially recognised.

Senior religious Yazidi leaders met Church of England officials to enlist their help in getting formal recognition for their faith. 

Currently, the Yazidi faith is not regonised because it is passed on by oral tradition only, which limits the help they can enlist as a persecuted group..

If they can be recognised, then they can get more help, according to ITV News.

There are believed to be about one million Yazidis around the world, the majority of whom lived in Iraq before the were forced to flee in 2014.

Islamic State, which has relentlessly persecuted Yazidis, believes them to be "devil-worshippers". In fact they are monotheists who believe seven angels guard over the earth including Melek Taus, the Peacock Angel.

Bishop of Derby Alastair Redfern said: "We're doing some work to listen and help others understand what that faith is really about, so it's part of the family of faiths in the world."

related articles
Campaigners warn UN of 'extinction' of Christian communities in Middle East

Campaigners warn UN of 'extinction' of Christian communities in Middle East

'Forgive them': UN hears of horrific ISIS brutality at #WeAreN Christian persecution conference

'Forgive them': UN hears of horrific ISIS brutality at #WeAreN Christian persecution conference

The forgotten persecuted: 7 countries that abuse religious freedom

The forgotten persecuted: 7 countries that abuse religious freedom

Petition with over 400,000 signatures urges U.N. Security Council to declare Christian genocide in Iraq, Syria
Petition with over 400,000 signatures urges U.N. Security Council to declare Christian genocide in Iraq, Syria

Petition with over 400,000 signatures urges U.N. Security Council to declare Christian genocide in Iraq, Syria

News
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria

Thirteen Christians have been abducted by a militia group in Nigeria following a skirmish in Kogi State.

Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song
Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song

What do you do when you've retired from leading a church?

Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'

The university and students' union said the play was within the bounds of free speech laws.

Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged

A pro-life campaigner who silently prayed near an abortion clinic in Birmingham has been criminally charged.