Yazidi Australians Celebrate Multicultural Australia Day

Members of the Yazidi community living in Australia marked Australia Day with a joyful cultural celebration, blending their heritage with national pride. The gathering brought together families and friends – many dressed in traditional Yazidi attire – sharing food, music and smiles while waving Australian flags at a scenic riverside location near one of the country’s iconic landmarks.

The Yazidis are an ethno-religious minority originally from northern Iraq, many of whom sought refuge in Australia following brutal persecution by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) beginning in 2014. Since then, Australia has become home to a growing Yazidi population, particularly in regional areas of New South Wales and Queensland, including Toowoomba and Wagga Wagga.

Celebrations like this Australia Day event reflect how Yazidi Australians are embracing life in a multicultural nation while maintaining pride in their distinct traditions. Community groups also continue to advocate for wider recognition of Yazidi culture, language and religion – efforts that include engagement around the 2026 Australian Census.