,
14 tweets,
5 min read
Read on Twitter
1/ One place I always wanted to visit: Yezidi temple in Laliş. It's holiest place in Yezidi faith. Y'day I went there. So beautiful. @akhbar 
2/ Laliş &temple of Yezidis is located 30 kms from Dohuk, 50 from Mosul. I drove there with @HaraldDoornbos, who took some pics with phone.
3/ Ever since horrific ISIS genocide against Yezidis, I wanted to know more about their culture and faith. Visit to Laliş was part of that.
4/ In order to enter holiest Yezidi temple complex, you have to take off shoes. Then walk through gate, step over threshold &enter temple.
5/ Inside main part of temple, cloth in 7 different colors. These have religious significance. You can make a knot for a wish.
6/ Walk with me inside most important Yezidi temple in Laliş. Click on this 360° pic. Drag screen to look around: kuula.co/post/7lc4z
7/ Inside temple also cloth with the peacock on it. In Yezidi faith this is Tawûsê Melek, the Peacock Angel, the most important of 7 angels.
8/ From main part of Yezidi temple, you walk to room with tomb of Sheikh Adi. Drag 360° pic left, right, up &down kuula.co/post/7lc77
9/ Next to Sheikh Adi's tomb there is room which contains jars with olive oil. The Oil used to light 365 candles every day in &around temple
10/ Luckily ISIS didn't reach Laliş temple. Tens of 1000s of Yezidis fled ISIS occupied areas to Laliş. ISIS destroyed Yezidi culture there.
11/ Because of genocide by ISIS I was bit worried 2speak Arabic at Yezidi temple. But ppl spoke to me in Arabic. Said: Every1 welcome here.
12/ Scars no doubt deep in Yezidi community after genocide by ISIS. But it was good to see young Yezidis in Laliş laughing, taking pics etc
13/ After visit to temple, I just had one thought: such a pity there's so much hate here in MidEast. Our diversity should be our strength!
14/ Good night everyone. That's it from me. Thank you for your attention.
