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
Conservatives urge incoming Archbishop to drop £100m slavery reparations
Conservatives urge incoming Archbishop to drop £100m slavery reparations

Should church funds be used for slavery reparations? A group of Conservative MPs and peers think not.

What if the Good Shepherd is closer than you think?
What if the Good Shepherd is closer than you think?

Pastoral care is not a task reserved for a handful of gifted individuals; it is the life of Christ, quietly at work inside ordinary believers.

Anglican Mainstream sees monthly growth despite web hosting suspension
Anglican Mainstream sees monthly growth despite web hosting suspension

Conservative Christian website, Anglican Mainstream, was surprised to see visitor numbers rise after being forced to relocate its website hosting after GoDaddy closed its account.

Missionary turned soldier in Ukraine balances faith with harsh frontline realities
Missionary turned soldier in Ukraine balances faith with harsh frontline realities

A former missionary who is now serving as a soldier in the Ukrainian army has spoken about the realities of faith for a man tasked with killing in defence of his country.