YAZIDI community members in Coffs Harbour, who have been petitioning the government for official recognition of their language, religion and ethnicity in the 2026 Australian Census, have received a mixed response.
Sami Sheebo, principal petitioner, said the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has decided not to include Yazidi as a language category, but Kurmanji (Northern Kurdish) – a language spoken by many Yazidis – is being recognised as a standalone language in the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL).
In addition, Yazidi ancestry is recognised in the Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG), and Yazidism is recognised as a distinct religion in the Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG).
Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Dr Andrew Leigh, further advised that the ABS is committed to supporting Yazidi participation in the 2026 Census and ensuring the community’s visibility in national statistics.
The Yazidi community in Coffs Harbour feels very encouraged by this recognition in the 2026 Census, Mr Sheebo said.
“This recognition is a major step forward in acknowledging the Yazidi community’s identity and presence in Australia.
“Although our request for recognition of the Yazidi language was not accepted, this outcome still strengthens our cultural and religious visibility and helps ensure our needs are better understood in Australia.”
By Andrea FERRARI
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