As Israel confronts Iran militarily, the Islamic Republic remains home to more than 10,000 Jews. Yet within Iran's borders exists another ancient, mysterious, virtually unknown community that most scholars believe traces its roots to Second Temple-era Judaism. This is the story of the Mandaeans.
Known in Aramaic as Mandaʿeya (meaning "to know"), the Mandaeans practice a distinctive mystical religion that has endured for at least 1,600 years, concentrated in southern Iraq and Iran's Khuzestan province. Their global population has dwindled to between 60,000 and 100,000 people, with most now living outside the Middle East. Iran's Mandaean community consists of only a limited number of individuals who endure harsh religious and cultural constraints.
Let me introduce you to one of the most peaceful ethno-religious groups in Iraq: the Sabian Mandaeans.
Mandaean faced the same fate as the Yezidis and Assyrians in Middle East. They were persecuted by many religions for their beliefs and were forced to convert to other religions pic.twitter.com/kQIPTvlYKN
— namemellme (@namemellme) October 9, 2024
Mandaean theology centers on belief in one supreme, incomprehensible deity and the cosmic struggle between forces of light and darkness. While rejecting the prophetic claims of Muhammad, Jesus, and Moses, they venerate Adam, Abel, Seth, Enosh, Noah, and John the Baptist as sacred figures, with John the Baptist holding the highest prophetic status.
Remarkable parallels to Jewish priestly traditions and Essene practices
Scholars of religion and biblical studies highlight compelling connections between Mandaean customs and elements of Jewish religious culture. They contend that the Mandaean faith "originated with the first human being."
Mandaean clergy bear the title "rabbi," their houses of worship are termed "mishkana," and baptismal locations are designated "yardena." The community employs concepts and terminology linked to the Second Temple period's Essene sect and language found in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Consider "Mara Rabuta" – a divine name in Mandaean religion that appears in the "Outer Genesis Scroll" from Qumran. The Mandaeans identify themselves as "bnei nahura" (children of light), terminology employed by Second Temple-era Essenes. Their linguistic heritage represents an Aramaic dialect remarkably similar to that of the Babylonian Talmud.
#Mandaeans honor and respect #women. #Mandaeans belong to an #ancient #faith that started in #Mesopotamia #modern #day #Iraq 🇮🇶and #Iran🇮🇷.As #followers of #John #the #Baptist, they're are #baptised regularly always in flowing water. This community uses #Penrith's #Nepean #River. pic.twitter.com/Y0MXmTbPsw
— Fabrizio Porro (@Fabrizi18363416) May 26, 2025
Several researchers propose that the Mandaeans constitute a Jewish sectarian group that diverged during the Second Temple period – possibly from the Essenes or another Jewish faction – subsequently relocating to present-day Iran and Iraq before evolving into an autonomous religion with mystical elements. While multiple theories address the Mandaeans' enigmatic origins, scholarly consensus maintains that they "share Land of Israel historical connections with Jewish people."
A legacy of persecution and demographic collapse
Throughout history, the Mandaeans remained a modest community of several tens of thousands of adherents. They established themselves primarily along the Mesopotamian waterways, where ritual immersion and purification were possible, emphasizing ethical and moral conduct in worldly life, with a special focus on family relationships.
Iran's Islamic Revolution transformed them into a targeted minority. Unlike Jewish, Christian, and Zoroastrian communities, the Mandaeans received no official recognition as a protected minority under Islamic governance. Flight became their only option. Substantial numbers relocated to Australia, Sweden, Germany, and North America.
Since 1979, conditions for Iran's remaining Mandaeans have deteriorated significantly. They lack parliamentary representation and face severe restrictions on cultural expression and religious practice.
