Photo By Daniel Nelson | Soldiers from the Command Post - North, Task Force Lightning team, and Yezidi...... read more read more
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, MOSUL, Iraq- With a calendar that dates back 6,756 years, Yezidism is claimed to be the oldest religion in the world.
However, with a history of persecution and constant attacks from other religions, the Yezidi's numbers dwindle near extinction, with an estimated 700,000 followers. The majority of these Yezidis are settled in the mountainous region of northern Iraq.
At the center of Yezidism is the temple in Lalish, Iraq, where the tomb of Sheik Adi who reformed the religion during the 11th century, lies. It is expected for Yezidis to make a six-day pilgrimage to the temple in Lalish at least once in their lifetime.
Also home to Lalish is the Prince to all Yezidis in the world, Prince Tahsin Ali, who on April 18 welcomed Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, the deputy commanding general (support), Multi-National Division-North, and members of Command Post-North, Task Force Lightning.
Brown and the other Soldiers arrived in UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters that landed near an open field just outside of Lalish where they met up with Alex Laskaris, the Provincial Reconstruction Team leader for the Ninewa province of Iraq, and other members of the PRT.
Having landed on the lower part of the mountain, the group decided to walk up the gradually inclined road that leads into the temple of Lalish.
Along the way they stopped to greet families from the area and hand out Beanie Baby toys to the children. They also came across an old building that was said to have been built sometime around 400 AD and used for religious gatherings and events.
Prince Tahsin was finishing a religious service at the time, but other Yezidi key leaders from the area met with Brown and the rest of the visiting group when they reached the entrance to the temple.
However, before leaving the area, Brown and a few of the CP-North Soldiers were given a tour of the temple and its many caverns. Inside the entrance of the temple lies the tomb of Sheik Adi, who had been buried there approximately 900 years ago. Also inside the first holy room of the temple are colorful cloths that have been hung by Yezidis who have completed their pilgrimage to the temple.
Brown and his aide-de-camp, 1st Lt. Melissa Lewis, took a turn tossing a rag on top of "wishing rock" that was inside another room of the temple. Prince Tahsin Ali told of how Yezidis believe a wish would come true if they could toss the rag with their eyes closed and have it stay on the rock without sliding off. They were given three attempts to stick the rag to the rock, just like the Yezidis. Both Brown and Lewis were able to get the rag to not slide off the face of the smooth rock by their third try.
"I wished for plenty of safety during my tour here," said Lewis.
Due to the trip having been cut short, Brown and the rest of the CP-North team had to leave without getting to eat a customary lunch that Prince Tahsin Ali had prepared for their visit. The prince however, gave an open invitation to Brown to revisit the temple of Lalish another time.
"The Yezidi temple in Lalish was truly fascinating," added Lewis. "Especially with the various rituals that are followed within the temple like tossing the silk rag on the rock, throwing money at holes symbolizing heaven and hell, and of course, the fresh water stream were all Yezidis are baptized."
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.04.2009 11:55 |
| Story ID: | 33171 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 706 |
| Downloads: | 343 |
This work, Yezidi prince welcomes Brig. Gen. Brown to temple in Lalish, Iraq, by Daniel Nelson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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