Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier honored two Yezidi leaders from Oldenburg during a ceremony in Nordhorn on Thursday, October 17, 2024, presenting them with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

For Sahap Dag and Telim Tolan, this is not their first recognition for their outstanding voluntary commitment and long-standing work as the first chairpersons of the Yezidi Forum Oldenburg and the Central Council of Yezidis in Germany.

In the summer of 2021, they received the Gold City Medal from Oldenburg Mayor Jurgen Krogmann.

Mayor Krogmann congratulated the two Yezidi activists for their advocacy in their city and nationwide. “I warmly congratulate both of them on this special award, which they truly deserve.”

“Sahap Dag and Telim Tolan have been selflessly and courageously advocating for Yezidis in Germany for over two decades,” the website of the German Federal Presidency said.

“Their commitment has been significant even before the flight following the genocide by ISIS (in August 2014). Even within the framework of the so-called guest worker agreements, Yezidis came from Turkey to Germany and built a new home here. Sahap Dag and Telim Tolan have succeeded in establishing an open coexistence in Oldenburg and beyond, breaking down mutual prejudices.

“Today, the Yezidi community in Oldenburg is regarded as a nationwide beacon of successful integration. Sahap Dag and Telim Tolan have played a significant role in this. For both of them, it is a great honor to now hold the Federal Cross of Merit in their hands.”

The Order of Merit is the highest nationwide recognition in Germany for contributions to the common good and is awarded to domestic and foreign citizens for political, socio-economic, and intellectual achievements, as well as for special services to Germany, such as in social and charitable areas.

The Lalish Foundation for Enlightenment and Society in Duhok extended their warmest congratulations to Sahap Dag for receiving the prestigious award from the President of the Federal Republic of Germany.

“This time, a Yezidi individual received the award, which symbolizes compassion and sorrow for the service to the Yezidi community in Germany,” they said.