Abstract :
The paper aims to provide a descriptive introduction to the Ottomans’ aggressive policies towards Yezidis as of invasion of Yezidis’ districts starting from the 1500s. Throughout the study, the Ottomans’ policies of the 17th and 18th centuries to convert Yezidis to Islam and the conscription policies of the 19th century taking Yezidis to army service have been analyzed with the help of a set of primary sources, such as the Ottomans’ archives about Yezidis, Christian and Muslim travelers’ field works and current academic textual materials. In the light of evailable sources one can claim that the converting and concription policies that were adopted by the Ottomans versus Yezidis were destructive for every aspects of the Yezidi community. Moreover, it is can be calimed that the impact of these policies is somehow lying behind Yezidis’ contemporary experiences of violance.
Keyword :
Yezidis, the Ottomans, conversion, conscription