Yazidis, in all over the world, celebrate Thursday “Khader Elias” holiday. The religious event symbolizes the fertility of the land and the advent of the pond and happiness. The Yazidi people are always keen to celebrate the event to the childhood feelings with their friends and neighbors, as they were exchanging smiles.
During this occasion, the Yazidi women roast flour mixing it with molasses, and sesame seeds and putting it in a tray to be provided to the celebrators. Jolnar Samir, Yazidi woman from Iraq, says, in a statement to “Arabs Today”, “The religious event is preceded by a three-day fasting, as it continues for two days.”
“Khader Elias” has its own ceremonies exercised by the Yazidis, as the fishing and slaughter of sacrificial animals are prohibited on the contrary of the other Yazidi religious events.
Yazidi researcher Salem Al Rashidi said, in a statement to “Arabs Today”, “The Yazidi event coincides with the first Thursday of February, while it preceded by a three-day fasting starting from Monday. This fasting finds its roots in Christianity, as the Christians called it St. Virgin Mary fasting.
The shrine of Khader Elias, known by the Christians as St. George, exists in Nineveh. The Christian mark the memory of their Saint who received martyrdom in the fourth century in the same time of Yazidi celebration. The shrine is visited by Yazidis, Muslims and Christians during this time every year for blessing.
Rashidi added that “Khader Elian” turned to the celebration of the Valentine’s Day, as the Catholic Church decided to celebrate the memory of Saint Valentine in mid-February to cover the pagan celebrations of fertility, known as “Lauper Kylie”, while it failed to do this job due to its deep-rooted nature in the conscience of a large segment of people.