http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazidi
I just happened to read about the Yezdi minority race of Iraq/Syria which is being persecuted and killed by the dominant Sunni militia in Iraq/Syria.
Their religion based on caste based hierarchical system, worship of peacock and place of other figures/idols in their worship, not inviting converts in their fold, belief in incarnation/reincarnation and cleansing of soul is in many ways very similar to Hinduism. They are the pre-Islamic people who have heavy influence from the Persian era.
I am happy that at least now the US has woken up to the threat of extinction/ethnic cleansing being faced by the Yezidis in Iraq/Syria. Peaceful and unarmed Yezidis have been given the ultimatum by the Sunni Militia or Iraq (ISIL) to either convert or to face the bullet. Because of this real threat and actual recent killings, thousands of Yezidi families in Sinjar are traversing a dangerous journey through the mountains to reach the Iraqi Kurdish territory and that too without any arrangement for food and water. One can only imagine entire families taking that treacherous mountainous route including women, children and the elderly just to save their lives from the enemies of humanity who want everyone to conform to their religion and belief or else be killed.
Only hope that the rest of the world raises its voice against the ISIL and helps the minorities there including Yezdis, Christians, etc.