An Ancient Religion Endangered by Iraq War

Mandaeans Struggle To Keep Their Faith Alive

By James Angelos, MaryCatherine Brouder, Peter Cox, July 26, 2007

CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO–It is one of the oldest religions in the world, predating Christianity. Mandaeans see John the Baptist as their greatest teacher and ritual baptisms are a staple of their faith. They speak a dialect of ancient Aramaic and are the only surviving Gnostic faith. Despite their antiquity, the Mandaean religion and people are in danger.

For two millennia, they've lived in Iraq. But since 2003, they've been leaving en masse, fleeing attacks by Islamic extremists who consider them infidels. Prior to the fighting, scholars estimate 60,000 Mandaeans lived in Iraq. Today there are fewer than 5,000. Most have fled to Syria and Jordan, among the nearly two million Iraqi refugees.

There are roughly 1,000 Mandaeans now living in North America, admitted as refugees during Saddam Hussein's reign. They are lobbying Congress to allow their Iraqi relatives to join them in the United States, where they hope to keep the their faith alive. Click the image above to view a video report on a Mandaean gathering in Canada.

Find out more about Mandaeans:
Mandaeism on Wikipedia
Mandaean Associations Union

Comments

Joseph K. Mandwee & Dr. Kahtan Mandwee, 2007-07-27 15:22:36 -- Flag for review

Dear Dr. Charles Haberl:
Dear James Angelos, Mary C. Brouder & Peter Cox:

We watched your video segment with great interest and curiosity. We are so greatful to you for your concern and hard work. The Manda'eans need any kind, noble and philanthropist in this world to help them at this critical and dire time of their lives, facing the worst wave of religious hatred.
Their pacificist and peace-loving religious nature should be praised and emulated among all people in the world. With the Manda'ean beautiful perception of the universe, humnity and peaceful vision, the world would defintely be a more humane and desirable place to live in.
A small note: The word Manda'ean should be uttered as Men-da:ien and not Men-di-ien. Thank you.

Joseph K. Mandwee, Dr.Kahtan Mandwee

Bassim Ismail, 2007-07-29 07:26:16 -- Flag for review

What has changed in Iraq down the ages?.
The only change is the Mongol occupation, the creation
of made in USA and Britain or under license unsurpassed
barbaric militias brutally attack and systematically all
factions, sects and individuals Iraqis to wage the
"impossible" civil war that the greedy Mongols spent
$billions to wage but in vain in order to divide the great
Iraq into easily manipulated Emirates.

Not in defending Saddam, Most of Iraqis who left
Iraq including Mandaeans was because of the strangling
unsurpassed,too, sanctions/embargo on the Iraqi people,
imposed by the same barbarian Mongols who occupies Iraq
now and SHOULD BE held responsible/accountable to the
safety of every Iraqi individual even including installations military
as well as civil by all international accords.

Charles Haberl, 2007-07-29 07:34:03 -- Flag for review

Thank you for your kind comment. I appreciate your thoughts and hope that I can continue to be of help in the future. It is important that information such as this reaches the broadest possible audience.

I hope that my pronunciation of the word Mandaean [mæn.ˈdiː.jən] does not concern you. This reflects the normative pronunication in English and the one with which I am most familiar. As I am not Mandaean myself, I did not say [mæn.dɑ.ˈʔiː.jən], which is favored by the growing Mandaean community in the English-speaking world.

Luay Salih, 2007-07-29 22:23:05 -- Flag for review

I am a muslim and I have many Manda'ean friends.. they are by far the most kind and peaceful people I've ever come across and I do not really want them to leave Iraq.. But it seems that all nice things are walking out of Iraq or basically being killed.

Manar Akram Kthar, 2007-08-01 17:01:15 -- Flag for review

I am proud to say that I am a 16 year old Mandaean. Listening to the audio in the video segment, I heard a fellow Mandaean speak of his opinion. He stated that "our next generation is going to be so Americanized and the previous generation was and it will lead into a cycle of losing our strength in our roots of the religion. (Not word for word quote) I responded that same day but unfortunately it was not shown. I would like to state that the idea and recognition of the faith of Mandaeans is what unites us together. The faith symbolized a golden thread that threads all of our souls together in one strong force which is represented by our religion. Many say we need to find help in order to keep the Mandaean religion alive during its crucial point. Although this may be true, it is not the primary solution. The solution is within ourselves. Flexing our faith and the strength of it will pull that golden thread tighter and more secure. I do not have a P.H.D. on the subject of the Mandaean religion but I have the highest degree when it comes to the faith and respect I have for the religion. Both young and aged Mandaeans must strengthen their bonds with eachother and the Mandaean religion to ensure the strength of the "golden thread" that unites us all.
Shimet Hayee, Mahrry Mandat Hayee

IREN SOBBI, 2007-08-02 03:05:36 -- Flag for review

hi,

I am a mandaean woman who live in Norway.I came to norway from Iran ( 1995`). please don,t forget mandaeans in Iran, they are in danger too.

regards
Iren

youssef salem, 2007-08-03 14:10:03 -- Flag for review

Hi, i went to this Mandaean Camp, and i was wondering if i could have the pics the video crew took?

Angela Bardeesy, 2007-08-05 17:39:09 -- Flag for review

I knew nothing about this peaceful religion or its followers until my son told me. We certainly need to promote peace and respect for each human being and to learn about the different religious traditions. The Mandaean faith sounds very beautiful and should set a shining example of how to live in harmony with one another and with the all living things. Thank you for making us aware of the plight of this minority group

Sudas Abdul Jadier, 2007-08-09 04:07:22 -- Flag for review

I am a Mandaean woman i live in Australia ,i am very worried about the fate of my cousins in iraq,they are all middle class poeple,one of them is mentally handicapped and blind ,and his mother is 75 years old taking care of him in Baghdad where there is no water and electricity,they live in fear,they are crying for help,i keep comforting them but for how long?this is a tragedy,who is going to be responsible for it,i know that the Americans are kind poeple,God will never forget the Mandaeans.

Ranya Alsabti, 2007-08-13 10:19:40 -- Flag for review

Dear Dr.Charles Haberl,

I take great pleasure in writing this comment to you and the video segment that was added, because you have put a smile on my face this morning as soon as i opened my email and recieved this link from one of my fellow Mandaean friends. It makes me so happy to know that we're not alone on our journey in life and there are those who care and ar willing to lend a helping hand to such a small minority that is struggling to survive.
I attended the camp of 2007 and I saw the video crew setting up and getting started to film, on what though? I wasn't quite sure untill i asked who, when, & why?

Although I'm only 16 and as people say "you haven't seen anything from life yet", I can assure you that what I have seen in the past years just because I am Mandaean and belong to a different minority, is not anyone's ideas of a pleasurable life. We here in Canada are also trying to reach a goal and knock on the governments doors, but yet again it's not easy, that is why by the help of people like yourself, many more doors open to us, and the journey of getting recognized by our governments is made a little more easier.

Thank you again,
God bless.

tina, 2007-08-13 16:29:14 -- Flag for review

Hope, there is, if we unite we can help and not by simply having a word or two to say on a public site like this but to reach out and educate ourselves about our own faith and than show the outside world the beauty of our religion.We have lived in hiding for thousands of years as a minority, lets stand together and be proud of who we are as one. Also what a priviledge to have Dr. Charles haberl give us his time to devote a helping hand and voice us in a public way.
Thankyou for your support.

Barry Pine, 2007-08-15 10:38:40 -- Flag for review

I am looking for faith in something beyond me could you please send me some info about your faith I live in Canada ,Ontario Sault Ste. Marie p6b5ns apt#223.

badi, 2007-11-07 18:06:29 -- Flag for review

maeklbaz, 2007-12-03 08:04:16 -- Flag for review

Kaitlyn, 2008-03-07 12:21:25 -- Flag for review

I thought that this was a really cool article to learn about. i respect everything about.

Kaitlyn, 2008-03-07 12:21:26 -- Flag for review