Sozdar Avesta sent a video message to the Shengal Enlightenment Conference, saying, “Rebuilding Shengal is everyone's responsibility. The Renaissance itself is reconstruction, changing and transforming oneself.”
The Shengal Enlightenment Conference, organized by the Academy of Social Science in response to 73 decrees of genocide issued against the Yazidi community throughout history, continues with speeches and messages.

Sozdar Avesta, member of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union General Presidency Council, sent a video message to the conference and said the following:

“One of the most important issues for Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) at the table set up in Imrali is the issue of Êzidxan (Yazidi land) and our people in Shengal. Throughout his 52 years of revolutionary life, Leader Apo has done everything in his power for oppressed peoples and humanity, especially for our Yazidi community. Thanks to Leader Apo's thoughts and ideas, enlightenment, change, and transformation have taken place within the Yazidi community. Significant and historic changes and transformations have also occurred from a sociological and psychological perspective.

The resistance of Shengal is a great source of pride for all of us

Of course, you are not organizing this conference from scratch. Behind this conference is not only the 10-year resistance of Shengal, which, of course, is a great source of pride for all of us, but also the result of the great labor of the 50-year Freedom Movement. The Yazidis have a great history of struggle and resistance. This memory and faith, this culture and philosophy have been maintained for more than 7,000 years. Despite all the decrees, this community has survived. It has never strayed from its essence, its memory, its faith, or its culture. The Yazidi community is a rural, mountain community; it is a Neolithic society. It is not an urban community of statists. It has maintained its natural societal characteristics both during the era of nation states and during the era of empires. This is one of the reasons why it has been subjected to so many attacks.

The history from the dawn of humanity to the present day must be studied

If Leader Apo has given us the task of building a democratic society today, then the Yazidi community is best suited to achieve this. This potential and these opportunities exist within our Yazidi community. Therefore, this conference organized in the name of the Renaissance is very valuable. However, it does not end with this conference; I hope that the task assigned to this conference will be fulfilled. The Renaissance is a reconstruction. The history that has unfolded from the dawn of humanity to the present day must be studied. Additionally, comprehensive research must be conducted from the perspectives of culture, language, social structure, and belief. This can be achieved through science and academia.

Renaissance

The Academy of Social Science in Shengal, which has been operating for some time, could become the center of the Yazidi Renaissance's work and activities. This academy must prove itself through all its branches. Conscious people and students must participate in this work. What we know and have learned is not sufficient for the Renaissance, which has brought about changes within itself, from the smallest to the largest. It has brought about changes in the fields of history, philosophy, and sociology. Knowledge is not only found in books; there are also the leaders of this society, religious scholars, our elderly, and scientists. They, too, must take responsibility in this work.

Not an end, but a beginning

This conference is not an end, but a beginning. In order for this conference to fulfill its role, committees must be formed within the conference. These committees must develop a work plan, organize conferences, workshops, training sessions, and meetings, and encourage research. They must inform and educate the public on this issue. I believe that this is the fundamental expectation of Leader Apo from this conference.

Women can lead the Renaissance

This conference should also focus on the reconstruction of Shengal. Leader Apo said in his last meeting with family members: “I have a plan in mind, and we want to rebuild Shengal.” Rebuilding Shengal is the duty of all of us. The Renaissance itself is reconstruction, changing and transforming oneself. The most talented people who can lead this effort are women who are ready to fight. Yazidi women fulfilled their mission as leaders after the genocide in Yazidi land in 2014. Therefore, women and young people should play the biggest role in this conference. They should join the work of the Academy of Social Sciences.

We will uphold the values of our roots

In his letter, Leader Apo also states that the Yazidi community is the root cell of the Kurdish people. The people of Kurdistan have come to this day through this root. Once again, Leader Apo describes the Yazidi community as the most unique society in terms of its culture, faith, and resistance. This is a great honor, but it is not enough. If we do not renew ourselves, change, and transform, disintegration will occur. The situation is no longer the same as before; technology has advanced, cultures have merged, and daily life flows differently. If we do not prioritize innovation, science, equality, and justice, if we do not build a moral and political society, and if we remain stuck in our old ways, disintegration will occur. We will uphold the values of our roots. Innovation and change do not mean abandoning our roots, forsaking them, or losing everything—that would be a great dishonor, and no one wants that. Innovation and change must be pursued consciously; we will overcome the weak, enrich the strong, innovate, and develop.

We will fulfill the duties that fall upon us

I would have liked to attend the conference in person. However, wherever we are, Êzidxan's responsibility rests on our shoulders, and we will fulfill the duties that fall upon us. This is especially the perspective of Leader Apo, the duties and responsibilities he has entrusted to us, and his desire. This is the most reasonable and best thing for our community to continue its existence for thousands of years.

The central and local governments must recognize the values of the Yazidi community

On the other hand, we are approaching the anniversary of the genocide, and the greatest revenge we can take from our enemies is to renew and rebuild ourselves, to organize and defend ourselves. The existence of our society is the defense of our society. Leader Apo says that a defenseless society is like a chicken with its head cut off. Both the central government and local government must recognize the values of the Yazidi community, acknowledge its existence, and respect its political will. The fact that the Yazidi community is numerically small does not mean it can be easily dismissed by those in power. It has been proven that authorities cannot defend this community. This conference serves as a strong response to genocides.”[1]