Dear Friends and Supporters,

This April, our community demonstrated strength not only in celebration, but also in advocacy. As Yezidis marked the New Year at Lalish — a powerful moment of cultural and spiritual renewal — FYF continued our work to seek justice and secure a better future for all Yezidis.

In Erbil, our team met with the U.S. State Department to advocate for continued support for survivors and displaced families. I also published an op-ed reflecting on more than a decade since the genocide began — a painful reminder of what we have endured, and a call to action for the international community.

As we move forward, we do so with purpose, ensuring the world remembers our story and stands with us as we rebuild our lives with dignity and determination.

YEZIDIS CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR

This April, our community gathered at Lalish Temple to celebrate the Yezidi New Year — a sacred occasion symbolizing life, light, and renewal. In the face of unimaginable hardship and loss, we continue to stand strong, preserving our faith, culture, and resilience.

In the shadow of genocide, we remain unwavering in our commitment to our identity and heritage. As we reflect on our journey, let us honor our past and celebrate the enduring strength of our future.

Let the world never forget.

FYF MEETS WITH U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT IN IRAQ

FYF’s Country Director met with the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Religious Freedom team in Erbil, alongside fellow NGOs working to advance human rights across Iraq.

Representing FYF as a Yezidi women-led, survivor-driven organization, our Country Director spoke about our work since the genocide—supporting Yezidi survivors, women, and other vulnerable communities. She highlighted the urgency of continued U.S. support, especially as half the Yezidi population remains displaced, Sinjar lies in ruins, and thousands are still missing.

She emphasized that funding must reach organizations rooted in the communities they serve—those delivering real, lasting impact. FYF embodies this through our mission-aligned, women-led programs that empower and uplift.

We’re grateful to the State Department and the U.S. Consulate for their recognition of FYF’s work and for their commitment to freedom of religion, expression, and minority rights.

FYF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PUBLISHES OP-ED IN MORE TO HER STORY

In my op-ed for More to Her Story, I reflected on the decade since ISIS launched its genocidal campaign against the Yezidi people. I recounted the horrific realities our community endured — from mass executions to the systematic enslavement of women and children — and the international community’s initial failure to intervene.

Yet even in the face of such darkness, I highlighted the extraordinary resilience of Yezidi women, who have risen as powerful voices in the fight for justice and healing. I also emphasized the challenges that remain, including the fate of more than 2,600 individuals who are still missing, and the urgent need for sustained global support to help our community rebuild, heal, and thrive.

Thank you for standing with us as we continue this vital work. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time.

Sincerely,

Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation