Praying in the Ezidi faith

Ezidis/Yazidis have five main daily prayers, but not all of them are obligatory. Depending on the faith tradition, only three or four prayers are common in everyday religious life.

The five main prayers are:

1 The sunrise prayer: Dua Fecrê

2 The morning prayer during the morning: Dua Sibê

3 The noon prayer: Dua Nîvro

4 The evening or sunset prayer: Dua Êvarê

5 The prayer just before going to bed: Dua Ser Belgî (Şehda Dînî)

The prayer “Dua Ser Belgî” contains at the same time the testimony of faith and the commitment to Yazididom. In addition to these prayers at certain times of the day, there are prayers for holidays and special occasions, such as weddings.

In the prayers, however, not only Ezidism is thought of, but also all other religions and peoples. One prayer says: “God, first protect the 72 peoples and then us”. The 72 peoples in the Ezidi faith mean all peoples and nations of the earth.

In addition to the ritual prayers, the individually freely performed prayer is characteristic of Ezidis/Yazidis. Ezidis then formulate what speaks from their hearts at that moment. In other words, everything that pleases or burdens them.

Before the actual prayer, many Ezidis/Yazidis say the following lines:

“O Lord, You are the Almighty, You are my creator, you are worthy of tribute and praise, you are pure and faultless, You have a thousand and one names; The name Xwedê (God) is the most beloved and beautiful of these names. O Lord, You are eternal and everlasting. You are without beginning, You created time, You are the creator of earth and sky, You are balm for all pain and suffering.”