Written by Muhammed Emin Yasul
Throughout history, Kurdish people have lived in a wide geography including Anatolia, the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, the Zagros Mountains, and some other parts of Mesopotamia. This wide homeland of the Kurds has also been home to various minor religious groups.
To understand these religious minorities, first, we should understand the major ones. Currently, the majority consists of Sunni Muslims with a rate of around 75% (1,2). At the same time, Sunni ones are also divided into many sects like Shafis, Hanafis, Naqhsbandis, and Qadiriyyas. Moreover, there were many other major religions in this geography throughout history. However, most of them became one of the minority classes of today (4).
Besides all of these major religions, many minorities have existed from past to present, such as;
Shia Islam
Shia Islam is a sect of Islam that occurred after the Prophet Muhammad’s death and spread to various geographic regions, including this region, still preserving its place. Also, Shia Islam is divided into other sects, such as Bektashis, Imāmiyyas, Isma’ilis, and Zaydi Shi’ism (3). Even though it is less prevalent than Sunni Islam in Kurdish regions, it holds a significant place, particularly within Iran and parts of Iraq. It is also important to know that in Iran, cities like Kermanshah and Ilam have substantial Shia populations, contributing to the region's religious diversity.
Yazidism
Yazidis are a religious group that lives in Northern Iraq, Southeastern Turkey, Northern Syria, the Caucasus region, and some parts of Iran. This religion originates from the Northern Iraq mountains. It is based on the belief of one God who created the world and entrusted it into the care of seven Holy Beings. This religion has elements that are similar to Judaism, Nestorian Christianity, and Islam as well. Although there is no exact number, according to most sources, the Yazidi population is between 200.000 and 1.000.000. Kurds are the main ethnicity that believes in Yazidism (5).
Yarsanism
Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq or Kaka'i, is a mystical and syncretic religion with deep roots in western Iran and northern Iraq. Its adherents follow the teachings of Sultan Sahak, who founded the religion in the 14th century. Yarsanis emphasize inner spiritual knowledge, divine oneness, and the concept of reincarnation. Their practices and beliefs differ from mainstream Islamic traditions; they include unique rituals, sacred hymns called kalam, and a rich tradition of oral literature. Religious gatherings often include music and poetry, central to their worship and community life. Despite persecution and challenges to their religious freedom, the Yarsanis continue to maintain their distinct spiritual heritage. The faith contributes to the rich religious fabric of the region, reflecting its historical depth and cultural complexity.
Christianity
Christian communities living in this geography are an important part of the rich historical and cultural mosaic of the region. Assyrians and Armenians in particular have been present in these lands for centuries and have preserved their distinctive religious and cultural traditions. Assyrian Christians belong to the Church of the East, speak mostly Syriac, and are concentrated in areas such as the Nineveh Plain. Looking at the numerical data, when the distribution of the Christian population in the region is analyzed, it is seen that the Assyrian population is particularly dense in the northern part of Iraq, such as Nineveh and Dohuk. The Assyrian population in Iraq is around 500,000. The Armenian population in Turkey is estimated to be around 70,000 (6). Furthermore, studies on the role of Christian communities in the political and social structure of the region help us understand the processes of cultural heritage preservation and social integration.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrians in Kurdish geography are an ancient religious minority living in western Iran and northern Iraq, particularly in the Kurdistan region. Zoroastrianism is considered one of the oldest monotheistic religions in human history and worships a single supreme god, Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrians embrace ethical principles that emphasize the choice between good and evil and include rituals such as fire worship and the sanctity of nature. Academic studies reveal details about the Zoroastrian population and social structure in the Kurdish geography. For example, the number of Zoroastrians in the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq is estimated to be between 80,000 and 100,000 (7). There are also Zoroastrian communities in parts of Iran such as Mahabad and Urmia, but they are smaller in number and often seek to preserve themselves through cultural and religious activities.
References:
McDowall, David (1997). A Modern History of the Kurds. Bloomsbury, London: I.B. Tauris. p. 10.
Kurds and religion, then and now by Claire Jacobson. (2023, October 29). IU Blogs – Educational blogs from our community. https://blogs.iu.edu/muslimvoices/2023/10/29/by-claire-jacobson/
Newman, A. J. (1998, July 20). Shiʿi - Imams, caliphs, Umayyads. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shii/Shii-dynasties#ref343631
Kurds in Turkey. (n.d.). Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School. https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/kurds-turkey
Yazidi | History, culture, & religion. (1998, July 20). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yazidi
Harvard web publishing. (n.d.). Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School. https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/armenians-turkey
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