Asaf is the son of Kurdish Sheikh Qasar, a holy leader in the Qastnazani religious sect. He is generous in his time as we sit on cushions drinking sweet tea and eating sweeter grapes while his father sits Buddha-like across the spacious hall. The Qastnazani is a minor sect of Islam following the 250-year old teachings of its founder Sheikh Qarim. According to Asaf, the religion falls somewhere between the beliefs of the Sunni and Shi'a, and as such is persecuted by both. "Al Qaida hates us." "More than Americans?" I ask. "But of course," Asaf replies.