Lalish Timple — Local services in Atrush Subdistrict

We came all the way from Germany as a professional media team to livestream the annual Yazidi celebration at Lalish Temple. Unfortunately, our efforts were abruptly stopped by four soldiers on site.

Despite months of planning, research, and confirmations that this event is regularly livestreamed by many others, we were told after only 5 minutes of setting up our livestream that livestreaming was not allowed. No clear explanation was given.

When I asked if we could simply record (not livestream), one soldier rudely replied, "You’re not allowed to film the ceremony at all," while another told me it was only livestreaming that wasn't allowed. So, which is it?

Meanwhile, after being forced to stop, we checked online and saw numerous people actively livestreaming on TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms without any issue.

We had thousands of viewers waiting for our live broadcast, and a detailed program planned for months. All of it was wasted.

Very disappointing experience, especially after traveling internationally and preparing professionally...

معبد لالش هو من أقدس المواقع للديانة الإيزيدية ويقع في محافظة دهوك، العراق، ويعتبر وجهة روحية وثقافية فريدة تستحق الزيارة. يمتاز هذا المكان بجماله الطبيعي والروحاني، حيث تحيط به الجبال ويغلب عليه الهدوء، مما يعزز الشعور بالسكينة والتأمل. يُعد المعبد مركزًا هامًا للديانة الإيزيدية، ويحتوي على رموز دينية عريقة ومعالم تاريخية مقدسة، بما في ذلك ضريح الشيخ عدي بن مسافر، الذي يحظى بتقديس كبير لدى الإيزيديين.

عند زيارة معبد لالش، من الضروري احترام التقاليد والعادات الدينية للمكان. أحد أهم الأمور التي يجب الانتباه إليها هو ضرورة خلع الأحذية عند دخول المعبد، إذ يُعتبر الأرض مقدسة ولا يجوز المشي بالأحذية داخل هذا الموقع. لذلك، إذا كنت تخطط للزيارة خلال فصل الشتاء أو في الأجواء الباردة، يُنصح بارتداء جوارب سميكة أو أحذية يمكن خلعها بسهولة مع جوارب دافئة، لتجنب الشعور بالبرد أثناء التجول في المعبد.

الزيارة إلى لالش ليست مجرد رحلة سياحية، بل تجربة ثقافية وروحانية عميقة توفر فرصة للتعرف على التراث الإيزيدي العريق. ينصح باصطحاب مرشد محلي للحصول على شرح مفصل عن تاريخ المعبد ورموزه المقدسة. كما يجب احترام خصوصية الطقوس الدينية وعدم التصوير في بعض المناطق إلا بعد الاستئذان. باختصار، معبد لالش وجهة مذهلة تمنح الزائر تجربة فريدة تجمع بين التاريخ والروحانية والهدوء.

Lalish Temple, located in Duhok, Iraq, is one of the holiest sites for the Yazidi faith and a unique spiritual and cultural destination worth visiting. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and a tranquil atmosphere, it offers a profound sense of peace and reflection. The temple serves as a central religious site for the Yazidi community and houses sacred landmarks, including the revered tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, a significant figure in Yazidi spirituality.

When visiting Lalish Temple, it is essential to respect the local customs and religious traditions. One of the most important practices to observe is the requirement to remove shoes before entering the temple, as the ground is considered sacred. Therefore, if you plan to visit during winter or in cold weather, it is highly recommended to wear thick socks or easily removable footwear paired with warm socks to avoid discomfort from the cold while exploring the site.

A visit to Lalish is not merely a sightseeing trip but a deeply cultural and spiritual experience offering insight into the rich heritage of the Yazidi community. To fully appreciate the temple's historical and symbolic significance, it is advisable to hire a local guide who can provide detailed explanations about its rituals and sacred spaces. Additionally, visitors should be mindful of privacy during religious ceremonies and seek permission before taking photographs in restricted areas. Overall, Lalish Temple offers a unique and unforgettable experience, blending history, spirituality,...

We were very fortunate to have a young man explain some of the traditions and practises of those that follow the Yazidi religion, many of which we would not have been aware of if they had not been explained to us. As a sign of respect, shoes are not worn on the whole site, and it is a unique experience to walk around in your socks.

Mostly, people here are friendly but reserved. Clearly, recent history has not been kind to the Yazidis, but there is a calm secluded serenity to the site. It is not a tourist destination, it is a guarded religious site and one that demands respect of any...