YJŞ (Shengal Women's Resistance Units) Command issued a message of celebration marking the Êzidî New Year's Day, also called Çarşema Sor or the Red Wednesday, which is regarded as the beginning of the creation story in the Êzidî philosophy.

YJŞ Command stated that Mesopotamian land has a reality in which peoples of all faiths and ethnicities co-exist respectfully, recalling that Kurdish, Arab, Armenian, Syriac and Êzidî communities have coexisted in Mesopotamia peacefully and fraternally.

YJŞ continued: “As Leader Apo also states, Çarşema Sor feast has great importance and a holy place in history. According to the Êzidî faith, the third Wednesday of April is the day of creation. On this day, which means the new day for Êzidîs, Tawusê Melek (Peacock Angel) came to earth and the creation was completed. Like all feasts, Çarşema Sor is also celebrated as a day of happiness and peace. Today, Êzidîs forgive and are forgiven of all sins. They develop modesty, goodness, equality and fraternity as opposed to evil.”

Recalling that Êzidî people have been through massacres throughout their history, the latest being the 73rd one committed by ISIS, YJŞ said: “Despite internal and external pressures, our people celebrate Çarşema Sor every year. As YJŞ forces, we celebrate this holy day for Êzidî women and children that are in the captivity of ISIS gangs, and promise that Çarşema Sor feast will be the day of freedom for the Êzidî people and all the peoples. On this occasion, we reiterate the promise of freedom we made to our people.

We call upon Êzidî people abroad to return home, join the building of autonomy in Shengal, and join YBŞ-YJŞ ranks in order to defend Êzidxan. With this approach and commitment the future of our people will be secured. Therefore, we celebrate the Çarşema Sor feast for the Êzidîs and all the peoples.”