Who are the Yezidis? What is their connection to Hinduism? Why has ISIS targeted them?

Patrick Harrigan.jpg

In December 2014, we had Souptik Mukherjee on the show discussing the atrocities that ISIS has been committing against the Yezidi people who live in the Mountains of Iraq. Souptik works with The Yezidi Sanatan Dharma Society, which is an organization working to provide food and shelter and other essential necessities for the Yezidi natives and refugees. This week’s guest Patrick Harrigan also works with the Yezidi Sanatan Dharma Society. 

Patrick is a comparative religious scholar, photographer, author and supporter of the Yezidi cause. He speaks German, Hindi-Urdu, Sanskrit, Nepali, Tamil, and Sinhala. He has a degree from the in religion and a post-graduate degree in South Asian Languages and Civilizations from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has written many articles that show case and explain the mythology around religious beliefs.

Patrick visited Washington DC to meet with the Baba Sheikh, spiritual leader of the Yezidi people following the latest assault by ISIS fighters against Yezidi shrines on Mount Sinjar per Baba Sheikh’s request.

Patrick shares his lifelong quest through many religious traditions and how he got involved with the plight of the Yezidis.

For more info on Patrick and his work: 

For Skanda - Murugan it is www.Murugan.org "Comprehensive website of the pan-Indian god Skanda or Murugan in Sanskrit and Tamil sources including photo galleries, research articles, and news"

For Ta'us Melek the Peacock Angel it is www.Peacock-Angel.org This is a brand new website that Patrick is just starting to develop.