📰 The Yazidi Temple in Hassakeh: Theological Storm or Political Fault Line?

The controversy surrounding the construction of a emerging Yazidi temple in Hassakeh has evolved into a deeply polarising political and theological dispute—one that reveals profound rifts within the Yazidi community. Some see it as a bold assertion of spiritual identity; others fear it signals a dangerous fragmentation, prioritising symbolism over survival and unity. The foundation stone for the temple was laid recently in the village of Dokr, west of Amuda in syria/" class="smart-internal-link" title="📰 Justice Ministry, SNHR discuss cooperation on transitional justice in Syria">syria/" class="auto-internal-link">syria’s Hassakeh governorate, coinciding with the 11th anniversary of the Sinjar massacre, in which isis militants targeted Yazidis in northern Iraq. The ceremony was held under the auspices of the “Yazidi Union in Syria” and was intended as a memorial and a declaration of identity for the Yazidis of northeastern Syria—an area governed by the syrian Democratic troops (sdf).

Planned across a 42-dunum plot, the temple will feature a central dome surrounded by five smaller domes, a main hall accommodating up to 1,000 worshippers, a guesthouse, and a symbolic garden bearing monuments to Yazidi history. Additionally, the ceremony drew authorities from Yazidi institutions and representatives from the Autonomous Administration, with mournful reminders of the 2014 ISIS genocide, which saw over 6,400 Yazidis—primarily women and the elderly—abducted, as per UN figures. For numerous, the occasion marked a long-overdue public acknowledgment of Yazidi suffering and identity. Theological Dissent and Political Strain Yet the temple’s foundation has stirred intense theological and political debate, particularly in a region still navigating the competing authorities of the Syrian regime and the Autonomous Administration.

Speaking to Daraj, Sarhan Issa, representative for the “Council of Yazidis in Syria”, voiced strong opposition to what he termed the “Pirozke Temple—the Blessed”. Issa laid out four main objections: Theological: “Sanctity is confined to Lalish. No temple can replicate its spiritual authority. ” Lalish, located in Iraq’s Sinjar region, is considered the holiest Yazidi site, with unmatched historical and mystical significance. Notably, practical: Yazidis, he argued, are facing existential threats and mass displacement.

The focus, he insisted, should be on protecting lives, not erecting lavish monuments. Political Representation: The project, Issa asserted, was initiated without meaningful consultation with the broader Syrian Yazidi community, risking internal division. Ethical: “Resources should be allocated to backing families, education, and the return of the relocated—not symbolic construction projects. ” He added, “Real investment means rebuilding homes, preserving Yazidi identity through education, and securing constitutional guarantees—not gestures that could deepen internal fractures. ” The objections also extend to the political landscape:…