Sheikh Ali Ilyas

Sheikh Ali Ilyas (born 1979) is the current Baba Sheikh (religious leader) of the Yazidi community since November 2020.

Ali Alyas “Baba Sheikh” is the religious leader of the Yazidi community of Iraq and world.

Ilyas was sworn in at Lalish Temple on 18 November 2020,[1] and was given the title Baba Sheikh by Yazidi community leader Mir Hazim Tahsin Bag, more than a month after the death of previous Yezidi spiritual leader Khurto Hajji Ismail. According to Yezidi religious rules, only the Mir is able to name a new spiritual leader.[2] Ilyas "prayed for the strengthening of peaceful coexistence in Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and across the globe."[3] Ilyas was congratulated by Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani.[4]

Ilyas was born in Shekhan, in Iraq#s Duhok Province in 1979. His father was the Yezidi spiritual leader from 1978 to 1995.[5]

However, some Yezidis disagreed with Ilyas' appointment, in particular in the Shingal area, and have refused to recognise him. According to Kurdish news site Rudaw, "Shingal Peshmerga commander Qassim Shasho resigned from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Peshmerga forces earlier this week over the decision, which some say is politicized."[5]

References
  1. "Sheikh Ali Ilyas selected new spiritual leader of the Yezidis". Middle East Monitor. 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  2. Dri, Karwan Faidhi (14 November 2020). "Yezidis select new spiritual leader". www.rudaw.net. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  3. English, Basnews. "New Yezidi Religious Leader Calls for Strengthening of Peaceful Coexistence after Inauguration". www.basnews.com. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  4. Shilani, Hiwa (18 November 2020). "Masoud Barzani congratulates new Yezidi spiritual leader". www.kurdistan24.net. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  5. Dri, Karwan Faidhi (18 November 2020). "New Yazidi spiritual leader sworn in despite disputes". www.rudaw.net. Retrieved 2020-11-22.


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