Our condolences to the Yezidi people
Tim Buxton, founder of YouBelong, meeting with Prince Tahseen in Northern Iraq 2017
The Yezidi people have experienced shocking hardship and persecution in recent years. Now, their leader, Prince Tahseen Said Ali, has died at age 85 after a long illness. He led the Yezidi people since he was 11 years of age and was a strong voice for peace in their lives.
During the last few years, Prince Tahseen witnessed his people being savagely persecuted by ISIS - thousands of Yezidi Iraqi’s were slaughtered, dispossessed of their homes, and the women captured and forced into sexual slavery. The suffering has been beyond comprehension, the human misery unthinkable, all part of a brutal action against the Yezidi people following the takeover of northern Iraq by extremist militants in 2014.
“youBelong wishes to offer our sincere condolences to the Yezidi people at this time of great loss. We acknowledge the terrible difficulties they have encountered and pray for their comfort at this time,” says Tim Buxton, founder of youBelong, an organisation that helps refugees, predominately Yezidis, thrive in their new homeland of Australia.
Prince Tahseen led his Yezidi people through great difficulties and much change. He was a voice of strategic influence and held a long-term vision for their future.
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nadia Murad who escaped ISIS captivity and has become a voice for the Yezidi people across the world, sent her condolences via Twitter:
"During challenging times, Prince Tahseen led the Yazidi community with grace and dignity. He was a wise leader and a firm believer in peace. He will be greatly missed. May his soul Rest in Peace today and always," she wrote.
youBelong’s founder, Tim Buxton, spent four-and-a-half years in Iraq. During this time he was privileged to meet Prince Tahseen Said Ali. Upon his return to Australia, Tim founded youBelong, which offers welcome picnics, home visits, and Grow trauma-recovery groups to refugees.
“Recently, many Yezidis have come to make their homes in Australia. It has been our privilege to welcome some of them to their new home and support them to thrive,” says Tim. “At this sad time, we think of them and their futures.
