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Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
The Zoroastrian community of Kurdistan celebrated an annual ceremony termed Fire Promise on Saturday.
Dozens of followers of the ancient faith climbed to Kizkapan cave on a mountain near Chami Rezan resort outside Sulaimani.
They were dressed in traditional Kurdish costumes and carrying torches.
Fire is a major symbol of the Zoroastrian faith and it features in almost all their ceremonies.
Kurds largely practiced Zoroastrianism before adopting Islam.
Leaders of the community say their congregation is expanding on a regular basis as more Muslims, mainly the youth leave Islam and rediscover their ancestral religion.
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Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave
Kurdish Zoroastrians celebrate annual ceremony inside sacred cave