Life has not been easy for Dalia Idrees, a second-year International Relations student at the Catholic University in Erbil. Yet despite the hardships she has endured, she continues to push forward—committed to helping her community and preserving the identity of the Yazidi people.
Born in Shingal, Dalia spent nine years in a refugee camp after the 2014 ISIS invasion. It was there that her sense of purpose began to take shape. Armed with a nursing diploma, she initially focused on addressing health concerns in the camp—particularly among pregnant women, who often lacked access to essential care.
But Dalia’s ambitions extended beyond healthcare. Driven by a desire to preserve Yazidi history and culture, she began working as an oral historian, collecting stories from the elderly in Shingal. For her, documenting these narratives is a way to ensure that the suffering of her community—especially the injustices faced before and after ISIS—will not be forgotten. She recalls how Yazidis were denied the right to study in their native language during the Arabization policies of the 1970s. “Language is identity,” she says. “It must be protected.”
This passion for justice led her to pursue International Relations, where she saw a broader opportunity to advocate for minority rights and contribute meaningfully to her community. The transition was not easy. In her first year, Dalia struggled to understand unfamiliar material. She spent long nights studying, often at the expense of her own health. But she persisted.
That same year, Dalia and her family received devastating news—the remains of their relatives, lost in the 2014 massacre, had finally been recovered. It was a deeply painful moment. Despite the emotional toll, Dalia continued her studies. She credits the support of her department head, Dr. Muhammed, for helping her stay focused. Through it all, Dalia finished at the top of her class—a testament to her resilience and determination.
Beyond academics, Dalia also channels her creativity to raise awareness. She recently produced a short film titled “The White Dress in the Face of Dirty War”, which explores the strength and resilience of Yazidi women. The film was first screened at the Catholic University.
Dalia’s message to others is clear: “Whatever challenges you face in life, never use them as an excuse to stop pursuing your goals. If you stop studying, life will stop. Educate yourself—because the world is changing, and without knowledge, you cannot succeed.”