DUHOK, Kurdistan Region – Nadia Murad’s mother and six brothers are among thousands of Yezidis taken captive by ISIS and still missing.
In a refugee shelter in Rwanga Camp, Semel district, where her remaining family live, pictures of Nadia hang on the walls.
Their eyes are glued to the TV to witness the moment their sister receives the Noble Peace Prize for her efforts to combat sexual violence as a weapon of war.
“Our relatives are all calling us asking about Nadia. All Yezidis are happy,” says Kheria Murad, Nadia’s sister.
Rwanga Camp officials and NGO representatives came to visit the Murad family on Monday to congratulate them on Nadia’s prize.
“Nadia Murad’s house at the camp has become a symbol for Yezidi girls,” said Nadiar Lazgin, head of Rwanga Camp.
Yezidis celebrated Nadia’s prize by sacrificing animals. They prayed for the return of their family members from the clutches of ISIS.
An estimated 3,000 Yezidis are still missing.
“We are congratulating all Iraqis on Nadia’s prize,” said Hizni Murad, Nadia’s brother. “Once, 6,000 Yezidis were under ISIS. This prize will probably ease some of their grievances.”
Nadia, 25, was born in the southern village of Kocho in the Shingal region. In 2014, she was kidnapped by ISIS and held captive prior to escaping through the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
On Monday she was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Congolese gynecologist and women’s rights campaigner Dr Denis Mukwege.
