Bengaluru, Nov 22 (IANS): Art of Living founder Ravi Shankar has called for early restoration of peace in Iraq and an end to all conflicts in west Asia.

"Peace conferences are held where peace prevails. But I am holding it in the middle of a conflict zone for co-existence, compassion and restoring peace," Ravi Shankar said in Erbil, the violence-hit capital of Kurdistan, during a visit to Iraq this week.

Blaming "dark forces" for triggering conflicts, he said misguided people wanted to drag humanity back to the dark ages by their evil designs in the 21st century.

"I want to convey a clear message to those who think violence is the way that they are wrong and warn the youth against joining such extreme ideologies," a statement from the foundation quoted him as saying.

Ravi Shankar honoured Kurdish Kobani woman fighter Jeyan Haldan at the conference on "Protecting women and bringing stability and peace", organised by the foundation and its sister concern, International Association for Human Values (IAHV).

Around 1.5 million Iraqis have been internally displaced or forced to flee across borders since the Islamic State invaded the northern provinces early this year.

Interacting with people at a relief camp in the Sinjar mountains, Ravi Shankar said though he could not speak their language, he could understand their miserable condition and felt their pain.

He also visited relief camps near Erbil and met hundreds of displaced Christians, Kurds and Arabs, languishing in inhuman conditions for months.

Along with other NGOs, the foundation delivered about 1,000 tonnes of food supplies to Yazidi refugees at Sinjar.

Ravi Shankar also addressed the Kurdish parliament and met speaker Yusaif Muhammad Sadiq, Kurdistan president Masoud Barzani, Erbil government advisor and Yazidi leader Mirza Dinaayi and Iraqi minister for sports and youth Abdul Hussein.