From Sinjar to Australia: The Story of Manal Loqman

My name is Manal Loqman. I am, a Yazidi survivor from Sinjar in northern Iraq.

In August 2014, when ISIS attacked our region, my life changed forever. I was taken captive and lived through unimaginable trauma, horrors pain . I was alone, surrounded by ISIS, facing days no human being should ever experience.

After my escape eight years ago, I was taken directly to displacement camps. Life in the camps was extremely difficult—especially for survivors like me. The conditions were harsh in both winter and summer, and I was carrying deep psychological pain from everything I had endured.

At the beginning, my mental state was very fragile. But over time, I slowly began to heal and adapt to life again.

Despite everything, I refused to give up. I chose education as my path forward.

Before the genocide, I had completed the fourth year of secondary school. After my survival, I continued my studies and was accepted into a technical institute in Duhok, where I studied Computer Science for three years. I worked hard and achieved first place in my department for three consecutive years.

At the same time, I became a voice for Yazidi survivors. I joined survivor networks and advocated for justice, calling for international recognition and documentation of the crimes committed against us.

Even today, the pain remains. Since the ISIS attack, we have had no news about my uncle and his wife, and my maternal uncle and his wife. Their fate is still unknown.

The government has provided support through a special law for Yazidi survivors, including financial compensation. I am grateful for these efforts. However, no amount of money can ever compensate for even one day of what we endured under ISIS.

After completing my studies, I moved to Australia, where I now live and continue building my future.

My story is one of pain—but also of resilience, education, and hope.