“Religion is like shoes. Find a pair that fit you but don’t make me wear yours” – Carlin
Mandaeism is a gnostic religion which originated during the first three centuries in Mesopotamia. It is estimated that there are 60,000-70,000 Mandaeans (Arabic: AlSabiaa AlMandaiyun) worldwide, with only 5000 remaining in post-2003 Iraq. Religious persecution has led to Mandaean diaspora and the formation of Mandaean communities in the west particularly USA, Australia and Sweden. Modern day Iraq is rich with religious history and culture which has been forgotten, as Iraq is embroiled in conflicts and wars.
Mandaeans speak Mandaic which is a dialect of Aramaic. They believe in one God, whom they call “Hayyi” which in Aramaic means “the Living”. Biblical figures like Adam and Noah are revered, especially John the Baptist who is believed to have been a Mandaean. However they reject Abraham, Moses and Jesus who they consider to be false prophets. Jesus was a mšiha kdaba “false messiah” who perverted the teachings entrusted to him by John, although they don’t consider John to be the founder of their religion but one of their greatest teachers, tracing their beliefs back to Adam. Like other religions, Sunday is the Mandaean holy day.
Although Mandaeism is more closely connected to Judaism than Christianity, their teachings and beliefs contradict many Abrahamic teachings. The Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible and Quran is believed to be an evil being. Mandaeans abhor the Jewish and Muslim practice of circumcision and they does not allow conversion to the religion. Alcohol and red meat are generally forbidden, as is the use of violence even for self-defence. Mandaeans are called “sabians” in the Quran, which means baptisers.
Mandaeism teaches a dualistic view of life – light and dark. They believe that all good comes from light and all evil from darkness, and so the body comes from dark and the soul from light. Therefore the main Mandaean practice is baptism which allows one to achieve forgiveness and for the soul to ascend to the lightworld. Mandaeans are baptised by priests numerous times throughout their lives, particularly at birth, death, before and after marriage, which is unlike the single baptism in Christianity. There are an estimated 30 Mandaean priests in the world and Sheikh Salah is currently the highest-ranking Mandaean priest. Priests wear the Rasta (ritual dress) during baptisms which is a white dress that is symbolic of soul purity.
Mandaean priest conducting a baptism
Mandaean wedding performed by a priest (right) where the bride and groom sit back-to-back behind a partition
Mandaeans have narrations regarding John which differ from the New Testament. They believe that John refused to baptise Jesus because he distrusted him. However a voice from heaven told him to baptise “Jesus the deceiver”. Matthew 3:13-17 gives a different account where John refused the baptism because he regarded Jesus as superior to him and the voice from heaven later tells John that Jesus is His son and has made Him proud.
Mandaeans have several scriptures and holy books. The most important is the Ginza Rba (great treasure) which is a collection of history, theology, and prayers. The Draša D-Yahia (the book of John the Baptist) contains accounts of John’s life and miracles, and a dialogue between John and Jesus. The Qolastā (canonical prayerbook of the Mandaeans) is also among the many holy Mandaean scriptures.
Mandaean place of worship in Nasriyah, Iraq
Very few people know what Mandaeism is and its core beliefs. It is vital that we preserve their history and stand up against religious persecution. No individual should be stripped from their freedom to express their beliefs. Religion is a beautiful unification of people from all walks of life, and something we must embrace and defend regardless of whether it differs from our own. The Mandaean diaspora is a sad reality of devastation in the Middle East, and Iraqis are working hard to create a new Iraq where there is respect, equality and freedom for all.
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