Yazidis celebrate Easter Eid in Sharia camp

(17 Dec 2017) LEADIN: Internally displaced Yazidis are celebrating their first Eda Ezi (Holy Easter) since Iraq announced victory over the Islamic State group. At the Sharia Camp in Dohuk congratulated each other and ate together to break their fast. STORYLINE: The Sharia Camp in Dohuk is currently home to more than 18,000 internally displaced Yazidis from Sinjar district. They were forced to flee after being terrorised by the Islamic State group. But now they finally have reason to celebrate as they enjoy their first Eda Ezi since Iraq announced liberation from IS. "Thank God they (IS) are being eliminated in the world and Iraq. This Eid we pray to God to bless Iraq, Kurdistan, the central government and all humans," says Khidir Khalaf, an internally displaced Yazidi from Sinjar. Yazidis celebrate their "Holy Easter" on the third Friday of December after three days of fasting. Yazidis are not allowed to drink or eat anything from sunrise till sunset during those days. Friday is the feasting day also known as the "Big Fasting Eid". Yazidis are using this day as reason to celebrate - but say ultimately they long to go home: "This Eid is nice, but it used to be much better in past years. We were living in our homes, relatives used to visit us to celebrate the event. But in the camp life is very difficult, we need fuel and electricity," says Huda Haydar. IS was responsible for horrific crimes against the Yazidi minority group in both Syria and Iraq from August 2014 until their recent defeat. More than 5,500 Yazidis were killed by the group. The United Nations has called the Islamic State assault genocide, saying the Yazidis' "400,000-strong community had all been displaced, captured or killed". Of the thousands captured, boys were forced to fight for the extremists, men were executed if they didn't convert to Islam and women and girls were sold into slavery. But today these Yazidis can shake hands and feast together to celebrate Iraq's victory over the group. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...