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You failed to ruin my life: Yezidi survivor sends message to ISIS captor

258 views · Published 26 November 2017 · 3:08 · Indexed 28 October 2026

Channel: Rudaw English · 2017 · News & Politics

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DUHOK, Kurdistan Region – Suham Haji, a Yezidi survivor who suffered at the hands of ISIS militants while in captivity, says that she will continue her life to show her captors that they failed to ruin her life and those of many Yezidis.

She is now living with her mother in a camp located in Duhok province where many Yezidis sought shelter after the ISIS onslaught in 2014.

She is determined to rebuild her life and learning a new craft is a step on the road to recovery.

She participated in an exhibition in Duhok held by a women’s rights organization to help Yezidi survivors.

"This artistry is half of our recovery process,” she said standing next to a table that showcased her work.

“We do not want to give in to the enemy, so through our determination, we will not make the enemy happy. This is to stop them from celebrating ruining the life of a Yezidi girl. They may daydream about this, but it turned out their dream was a fantasy that did not materialize.”

Her hope is that the remaining Yezidis will be freed. Her message to the survivors is to never give in “to the enemy.”

Thirty-five women took part in the exhibition, held on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The Yezidi survivors opened the event reading some prayers.

It was organized by the Duhok Center for Supporting Women. They also offer medical and psychological services to the women.

"No matter how hard we try, their needs are not fully met,” said the center’s Dr. Luma Jasim.

“They need a lot of things. Their needs vary depending on each individual. Our center cannot meet all of their needs on our own.”

More than 6,000 people were kidnapped by ISIS. Only about half have been freed. Many of the victims are girls and women.

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