Minorities and Interreligious Dialogue: From Silent Witnesses to Agents of Change

The impact of Daesh (Islamic State) in 2014, the persecution of minorities (Yazidis, Christians), the Syrian conflict, have caused deaths and destruction of communities. The consequences go beyond the dismay of victimized ethno-religious groups. Communities that have lived separated from the majority for self-protection, have developed new dynamics been aware of their weakness due to their decreasing number and lack of know-how to obtain a political role in society. The awareness of being considered all victims of the same crime by the global actors, entails a change in mutual perception enhancing similarities, reducing prejudices and fear of the “other”. Inter-religious dialogue plays an important role. The dialogue between Yazidis, Christians, Shabak, Sabaeans/Mandeans and others (Iraqi Council for Interfaith Dialogue, Initiative for Muslim-Christian dialogue et al.) in Iraq is significant: they are aware of being vulnerable and have created pro-social NGOs for the first time in history. The A. studies these dynamics with participant observation since 2012; she offers a concrete insight in inter-religious dialogue and its complexity: the choice of the actors to involve, the challenge of keeping minority communities homogenous, the risk of abandonment by young disillusioned members, as well as the strategies of minorities to be global protagonists.

Key-words: Inter-religious dialogue – Minorities – Minority Persecution – Iraq - Daesh – Victim – Ethno-religious group – Middle East – Middle East Conflicts - Yazidis - Christians