The Mandaean Human Rights Group is a self organized group dedicated for the help and protection of follow Mandaeans in Iraq and Iran given the situation in those two countries. The Human Rights Group watches, investigates and exposes human rights violations against Mandaeans. We have volunteers in the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Europe and Iraq. Our model, in our work is the United Nation's Human Rights Declaration of 1948.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We gratefully acknowledge the dedicated help and advice of many organizations, without which this work would not have been completed.
Numbered among them for this edition are:
1-The Spiritual Mandaean Council – Baghdad, Iraq 2-The Mandaean General Assembly – Baghdad, Iraq 3-The Mandaean Human Rights Association- Baghdad, Iraq 4-The Special High Commission for the protection of Mandaeans
5- The Mandaean Society in Syria.
6- The Mandaean Society in Jordon.
7- The Mandaean Society in Australia
8- The Mandaean Associations Union in Exile.
9- The Scientific Mandaean Society in Iran
Content:
Demography -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P 4
History of Mandaean Persecution--------------------------------------------------- ----------- P 4
Mandaeans after the liberation of Iraq --------------------------------------------------------- P 5
Mandaeans in countries of refuge ------------------------------------------------------------- P 5
What do the mandaeans want? ------------------------------------------------------------------ P 6
Conclusion-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P 7
App. one: Examples of Atrocities Against The Sabian Mandaeans since 2003 -----------P 8
App. two: A Brief Summary of the Persecution of Mandaeans Throughout History-----P 14
The Mandaeans in Iraq
Mandaeanism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the Middle East. It is independent of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It follows the teachings of John the Baptist; baptism being its central ritual. Like most religions it emphasizes marriage, family, and peaceful coexistence with other groups. Mandaeans (Sabians or Sub'ba, in spoken Arabic) are the people who believe in this religion. One is born a Mandaean; the group accepts no converts. Well before the Christian era, Mandaeans have lived in Southern Iraq and Southern Iran. In Iraq, after WWI, they migrated to large cities such as Basra and Baghdad. Like Hebrews and Copts, Mandaeans are both a religious and ethnic minority. The word Mandaean refers to their distinct Aramaic language, which is still spoken by Iranian Mandaeans. In Iraq on the other hand, the Mandaean language survives only in liturgy. Similar to what happened to the Coptic language in Egypt.
Demography
Although it is very difficult to estimate, the Mandaeans could barely exceed fifty thousands at the present time. Their decreased numbers are due to continued persecution and forced mass conversions as well as relocation and assimilation. Currently they live in large cities such as Basra and Baghdad; very few remained in southern Iraqi cities like Umara and Nasiriya or southern Iranian cities like Ahwaz. During the past decade, and especially the past 3 years, thousands have escaped the dangerous political situation in Iraq, choosing self-exile and immigration. There are about 15000 Mandaean in different parts of Europe, 1500 in the United States, 1000 in Canada and about 4000 in Australia. There is also a large refugee population various other countries: 950 families in Syria, 400 families in Jordan, 50 individuals in Yemen and 20 in Indonesia.
History of Mandaean Persecution ( please see appendix two)
Despite overwhelming odds at various times in their history, the Mandaeans have been able to maintain their religious practice and to an extent, their language. Their main self-preservation tool has been pacifism, which is a primary code within their dogma; another has been education and craftsmanship. Like Jews and Copts in The Middle East Mandaeans have been vital within the intellectual and economic development of their country. Although the Koran describes Mandaeans like Jews and Christians, as "people of the book", this has never been translated to actual daily life. As a minority living under Islamic rule the Mandaeans have never been granted full recognition by Muslim clerics. Throughout time Muslim clerics have vacillated in their ideas concerning Mandaeans. Depending on the secular or religious authority, Mandaeans have been tolerated and partly recognized, but they have also been considered kafirs, i.e. infidels, and massacred. Two such massacres happened in the mid 18th century. In a recent book by the Muslim scholar, Dr. Rasheed Khayoon, the author mentions 15 different opinions in Islamic history, concerning Mandaeans, 10 of which ruled that Mandaeans were infidels and should be dealt with by the sword. These rulings are still resonating among several current Islamic fundamentalist groups. The Zarkawi group, naming one, in a recent letter published on the internet called "the Shiites infidels as bad as the Sub'ba."
In modern Iraq, from the monarchy to Saddam Hussain, the Mandaeans have not been recognized as a separate accepted religious minority in any constitution or state law. During Saddam Hussain's rule, religion and religious minorities were used for propaganda and in actuality, as is well known by now, that regime had no tolerance for any freedom, secular or religious. Saddam Hussain managed to set a system of control on the internal affairs of all minorities including Mandaeans, which threatened any voice against the regime. Objections to the regime were answered with executions, jail terms and deprivation of food rations. When the Mandaeans, who are, as mentioned above, pacifists by creed, asked to be exempted from arms bearing during the Gulf wars, the Saddam Hussain regime flatly refused. Hundreds of young Mandaean men died in those wars including clergymen.
Mandaeans after the liberation of Iraq
The Mandaeans are very thankful for the removal of the Baath regime and pray every day for safety for all and safe return of the troops to their homelands. The dreams of freedom and social justice now seem nearer than ever. Unfortunately, the Mandaean plight has not ended. A new and very troubling situation has risen that puts them under a danger more threatening than ever before. The recent surge in religious extremism; the fight for power among political fractions and the lawlessness; the possibility of a civil war; all these recent developments have made Mandaeans' life worse than ever and have made them among the first victim in this war. Mandaeans' lives are now in extreme danger in most areas of the country.
Atrocities against the Mandaeans at the hands of extremists, rapists, looters and others are increasing to an alarming degree. Examples of killings, rapes, robbery, kidnappings and hate attacks are documented in Appendix 1. It may be true that this is a general result of lawlessness in Iraq. But historically, under similar circumstances, religious and ethnic minorities pay the price. The mandaeans who carry no weapons, who will not kill and have no social establishment to defend them, are becoming the easiest target.
Presently, there is no Mandaean representative in the current Iraqi parliament. In the process of writing the new Iraqi constitution, the Islamic politicians and clerics, being a majority, refused to grant Mandaeans recognition. Pressure from the international community and some of secular politicians in Iraq, resulted in mentioning the Mandaean name in the constitution. Despite the elections in Iraq and the enactment of a new Islamic constitution which mentions the Mandaeans by name, their situation is deteriorating. The killing, looting, kidnapping and rape are getting worse.
The Mandaeans want the right to live in peace in Iraq; they want to be free to practice their religion and to have equal opportunities in education and jobs. They also want full legal recognition. These rights currently have no way of being expressed to the new parliament or to the committee writing the new constitution. It is imperative that Mandaeans as well as the other minorities gain freedom and be active in the dialogues of building a new and democratic Iraq. And it is only with the help of the International community and the Coalition forces that the Mandaeans can hope to attain these rights.
Mandaeans in countries of refuge
At the present time about 950 Mandaean families are in Syria and 450 Mandaean families are in Jordan. They have all contacted UNHCR for protection and resettlement. Meanwhile most have no financial support and no legal status. They totally depend on charitable donations. Most of their children can not attend schools. They have no health support and their religion is not recognized in these Islamic countries anyway. They practice religious activities like baptism in remote places and are under tremendous pressure to convert to other religions who offer help to their followers. Depression, social problems and stress syndromes in both adults and children are becoming very common among them.
There are other Mandaeans stranded in limbo, under similar conditions, in countries such as Yemen and Indonesia. In Yemen around 50 families have been accepted by the UNHCR as refugees and were promised resettlement by the United States. Unfortunately this process has been indefinitely on hold since 2001. These families are in urgent need for resettlement. The situation in Indonesia is worse. The 20 Mandaeans who have been stranded in Jakarta for more than 4 years, have been denied refugee status, twice, by the UNHCR. In all the above countries Mandaeans are forced to conceal their identity. In Yemen and Indonesia, for example, ambiguous minorities such as Mandaeans are still considered as infidels by the general public.
What do the Mandaeans need?
The Mandaeans urgently ask the international community, UNHCR, the United States Government, the European countries, Canada and Australia to look seriously into the Mandaean crisis. They ask for protection in Iraq during these most difficult and threatening times; and they ask for a solution to those of their sect outside of Iraq who are looking for a safe refuge that would guarantee their continuous existence for future years. They ask for a stopping of forceful return of Mandaeans from the countries of refuge until the circumstances in Iraq become more hospitable.
The following summarize the urgent steps needed to help in solving the current mandaean crisis:
• Full refugee status for all the Mandaeans refugees especially those in Jordan, Syria, Yemen and Indonesia , with fast and proper resettlement.
• Prevent the forceful return of mandaeans from the countries of refuge until the circumstances in Iraq become more hospitable to them.
• Aid should be available for those who choose to return to Iraq especially after losing every thing during their escape.
• Serious thinking should be put by the International community to let the mandaeans re-gather in one country as one of the first monotheistic religions that is under the threat of extinction . The international community should offer all forms of support including financially to the Mandaean communities in Diaspora to build their communities, and preserve their culture and language as an important part of human heritage.
• Most of the Mandaeans escaping Iraq are applying now to Australia. The growing community there has reached about four thousands. There are four priests and a school and in the process of building a Mandi (prayer place). Australia could well be a savior to lots of those refugees and, in the long run, a safe haven to this ancient religion. But, without the help of the UN and its organizations, the world governments and the international community, this could prove difficult to achieve. The Australian government still do not look at the Mandaean crisis as a whole but as individual cases.
The following can summarize the Iraqi Mandaean aspirations in Iraq:
• Full legal recognition and constitutional protection in the future Iraq.
• Changes to the Iraqi constitution to guarantee minorities including Mandaeans seats in future parliament.
• During the formation of a new Iraq emphasis to stop to all religious persecution and social discrimination be enacted and a motion set into place where a protective shield will exist for the minorities in regards to social, legal, educational or political aspects. The president and Prime minister and the Parliament chairman in Iraq should have advisors from the minorities in Iraq including Mandaeans to have the power and ability to voice their concerns and report atrocities promptly.
• Full control of Mandaean internal religious affairs with no outside interference.
• Prohibition by law the conversion of any Mandaean to another religion without his/her consent. This law should cover minors until they reach 18 years. And give the right to convert back to Mandaeism for those who were converted by force with no fear of death.
• Building a legal system that is fair to all citizens regardless of their affiliations. Special emphasis should be put on re-educating the current judges and a system of monitoring their rulings should be in place.
• Assistance for various Mandaean Community establishments. In Iraq this aid is needed most urgently for education and basic human needs.
• Prohibition of drafting of Mandaeans into the army as armed combatants. The carrying of weapons is in direct violation of Mandaean religious laws.
Appendix One
Examples of Atrocities Committed Against Mandaeans since 2003
Murders and Hate Crimes
Following are the names of Mandaeans murdered since the fall of the dictatorship in 2003. Names are followed by age, profession, date and place of incident; and pertinent details when available.
1. Satar Radi Zboon, 45 years, goldsmith, 22/10/2003, New Baghdad, Baghdad.
2. Fadha', Sadam Hummadi Obaid, 40 years, goldsmith, April 23, 2003, Maisan/ Msharah.
11:00 am of above date, Zboon was murdered in front of a large crowd. He had begged for mercy according to the tribal customs, which ensure the full protection for the one who asks any tribe for asylum. He was refused it. His crime: Mandaean infidel in
3. Mhand Abd-Alsahab Almhanawi , goldsmith, 11/7/2003, Baghdad.
He was a young Mandaean man going to work in the morning.
4. Farooq Ati Lasam, goldsmith, 9/10/2003, Baghdad.
5. Sabih Shibib Elbab, 60 years, goldsmith, 4/26/2003, Baghdad.
Elbab's murder was followed by the looting of his shop. Anti Mandaean slogans where shouted while the killing and looting was taking place.
6. Hassani Rahim Al Othmani, May 15, 2003, Souwerah.
Accused of practicing "magic".
7. Zaman Abd Alhamid Adeed, goldsmith, 6/2003, Karada, Baghdad.
8. Fakriah Khthir Kattan, in her 40s, housewife, 7/2003, Baghdad.
9. Aonthar Hasson Moli, 25years, worker, 7/2003, Baghdad.
10. Yahya Bardan Aflog, goldsmith, 8/2003, Baqoubah.
11. Ahsan Bardan Aflok , goldsmith, 8/2003, Baqoubah
12. Salim Mohan Aljayzani, goldsmith, 9/ 2003, Hai alshaab , Baghdad
13. Firas Faraj Saleh, government employee, 10/ 2003, Habaniya, Ramadi.
14. Dafar Abd Alrahim Khoga, goldsmith, 11/ 2003, Mansour, Baghdad.
15. Nasir Sabah Abdallah, interpreter, 11/2003, Baghdad.
16. Baha'a Abdalahad Mtashar, student, 1/ 2004, Maisan.
17. Kasam Lafta Katan, goldsmith, 7/2/2004, Baghdad.
18. Riyad Badri Zbari, goldsmith, 10/2/2004, Baghdad.
19. Asad Hadi Khafi, worker, 2/ 2004, Baghdad.
20. Shafa'a Nasar Majeed, killed, 2/ 2004, Baghdad.
21. Raad Arbi Abeed, 2/ 2004, Baghdad.
22. Ahmad Mahar Abdallah, 3/2004, Baghdad.
23. Mazin Majad Hazam Al-Sabiri, 45 years, was killed in his shop, 12/10/2004, Baya'a, Baghdad.
24. Salman Abdallah Al-Khamisi, 5/ 2004, Baghdad.
25. Laith Anis Amoor, goldsmith, 1/11/2004, Baghdad.
26. Hadi Salim Mutar, January 3rd 2005, Sadr City, Baghdad.
Mutar was murdered after being kidnapped for ransom. Mutar's family paid the ransom in full, but shortly thereafter had received his body and told that he was killed after his refusal to convert to Islam. Islamic ceremonies were imposed upon him during his death.
27. Jamal Khmas Tamol, veterinary doctor, 1/2/2005, Baghdad.
28. Read Radhi Habib, 40years, engineer, 16/1/2005, Basrah.
He was the leader of the Mandaean Council in Basrah
29. Wasfi Majid Khashkool, 35 years, Feb 5th 2005.
He was killed in his shop by a gunman. Nothing was stolen.
30. Waleed Hasan Thabit, 45 years, contractor, killed in front of his house 2/28/2005, Dora, Baghdad.
31. Salwa Samir Aziz was assassinated on 4 March 2005 in Baya'a, Baghdad. She had refused to wear the Islamic hijab.
32. Muhannad Khazaal Lafta was brutally knifed to death on 14 March 2005 after constant threats that forced him to change his place of residence several times.
33. Ryad Radi Habib 45 years, engineer, 3/2005, Basrah.
34. Salwa Samir Azez , 25yr , translator , killed on 24/3/2005 in Baghdad
35. Mohanad Khzal Lafta, 21/3/2005, Baghdad.
Lafta was bludgeoned to death with hammers.
36. Wisam Majid Khaskool Al-Mesodni, 4/2005, Amriya, Baghdad.
37. Muayad Ibrahim Muhy Kzar, May 2005, Sadr City, Baghdad.
38. Rahman Sabri Almajadi, 14/4/2005, Baghdad.
39. Khairy Abdul Razaq, realtor, 2/4/2005, Hai el- Mechanic, Baghdad.
He refused to sell his house; he was murdered in his office with machine guns.
40. Moaiad Ibrahim Mohie, goldsmith, 11/4/2005, Baghdad.
41. Salah Lafta Saleh, 20 years, college student, 1/6/2005, Ramadi.
Saleh was kidnapped from the university dorms by an extremist group which had learned Saleh was a Mandaean. His dead body was found thrown in a street.
42. Amar Daif Karem, 18 years, goldsmith, 6/2005, Nasreah.
43. Mahar Sharad Zbala, goldsmith, 6/6/2005, Baghdad.
Zbala was murdered in front of his family.
44. Abdul Raheem Al-Musodani, 15 June 2005, Dora, Baghdad.
Al-Musodani was murdered after being beaten on the head with hammers.
45. Nawar Hameed Dakheel, 28 June 2005.
Dakheel was murdered in front of his house. He was accused of dealing with "the infidels", i.e. Coalition forces.
46. Basim Shenshal Al-Sunaid, 15 July 2005, in his home in Al-Mansour, Baghdad.
47. Haitham Mahdi Saleh, mid July 2005.
Saleh was brutally murdered in his home in Al-Saydiya.
48. Anwar Manam Saleh, 20years, student, 15/8/2005, Ramadi.
49. Saeed Naeem Thahab, 40 years, goldsmith, 24/8/2005, Baghdad.
50. Fawzi Mezban Al-Khameesi, 50 years, goldsmith, July 31st 2005, Baghdad.
He was kidnapped from his house, tortured, killed, and cut into pieces. No ransom was requested, nor was anything stolen from his home.
51. Issam Jabar Hamadi, government employee, 28/9/2005, Baghdad.
52. Kamal Rathi Zabon, goldsmith, 10/10/2005, Baghdad.
53. Basam Kasam Sokawi 19 years, student, 13/11/2005, Baghdad.
54. Majad Hadad Meshkor, goldsmith, 18/11/2005, Baghdad.
Attacks, Armed Robberies, Kidnappings.
The following are a few examples of attacks and kidnappings. Most of the kidnappings are dealt with through intermediaries in full silence or else death will follow:
In Sadr City in Baghdad, Falluja, Basra, during the Friday mosque sermon, extremist clerics have declared that it is religiously acceptable to attack and loot the property of the "infidels" as long as part of the loot is given for the "Islamic cause".
May 2003: The arson of the alcohol brewery and looting of belongings of Salam Ajil Shahir's in Baquba city.
May 7th 2003: The Mandaean community in Baghdad was terrified by the brutal attack on Mr. Mahir Sherad Zebala, his pregnant wife and their four children ages 10, 7, 4, and 2 in their house in Sidiah, Baghdad by thugs shouting religious slurs against the Mandaean religion.
The burning of a house and personal property in Hawijah, Kirkuk. This act of arson was consummated in the murder of a handicapped 23-year-old Mandaean girl who was unable to flee the house.
April through June of 2003 saw the destruction of homes and businesses with explosives in Sowerah, Kut. The criminals who committed these bombing attacks were well-known Muslim extremists from the area. The following is a list of the victims:
1) Haitham Faiqe Al Othmani, April 20th 2003
2) Raad Mutar Falih Al Othmani, June 13th 2003
3) Ehsan Faiqe Al Othmani, June 15th 2003
4) Qaise Tua'mah Al Othmani, June 20th 2003
5) Abdullah Menkhi Al Chohaili, June 20th 2003
June 10th 2003, the houses of Fadhel Muhannawi Al Kuhaily and Kamil Gonfuth Al Kuhaili were damaged by two separate grenade attacks. The residents were and asked to move out of the area or be killed.
June 10th 2003, a bomb was detonated at the house of Halima Fadhel Gzar in Kadessia City. When the bomb failed to do the expected damage, machine gun fire riddled the house and destroyed it.
June 15th 2003, Sam Hannon Al Othmani was assaulted by gunshots in Sowerah.
June 26, 2003: Karim Askar Al Othmani was assaulted by mobs accusing him of practicing 'Magic' and was promptly murdered by gunshot in Sowerah.
Jabbar Muhattam suffered gunfire and destruction of the contents of his store. This act was committed by unknown person(s); the excuse given for the assault was 'the selling of alcoholic drinks'.
July 2nd an armed assault with an attempt to murder was directed at both {Sheikh} Karim Selman Uraibi and his brother Talib for being Mandaean priests.
Six Mandaean jewelry stores were damaged by gunfire on a single night in Sadr City. The original intent was to kill the owners. The following statement was written on one of the six stores: "Your day is coming sub'ba!" Sub'ba (Subi) is a name used quite frequently by the local Muslims instead of the term Mandaean.
Attaching of leaflets in the jewelry shopping center of Al Jamhuria City in Basra in which the Mandaeans are accused of Magic and fornication, then threatened with severe punishment soon.
July 3rd, Yosif Beshir Gatea and Behjet Frhan Gatea were physically assaulted, and their jewelry store was looted in Habibia, Baghdad. The incident happened with the use of grenades and in front of crowds.
And assault and threat on
Mrs. Rafah Dawod Selman was assaulted; a payment of ransom was demanded. She was also threatened to be killed in case she does not move out.
July 7th 2003, Mr. Salam Sabri in Karada, Baghdad, was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint in front of witnesses. The act was combined with the use of ethnic and religious slurs.
Mr. Basim Mohi's son was kidnapped, Basrah. The kidnappers demanded a ransom. He was released with the help of the British forces. Soon after the boy was returned, the kidnappers terrorized the family again this time with messages that all "Sb'ba" (Mandaeans) would die. The family escaped the area.
Armed attack was perpetrated on Tarmetha Muthana Majeed Glas's house on January 7th 2005. Glas is a Mandaean priest.
Armed attack was perpetrated on Salem Turfi Aziz's house in Kirkuk on January 10th 2005. Aziz is the head of the Mandaean Community in Kirkuk.
Armed attack was perpetrated on Naseer Jasim Dhamin's house on January 20th 2005. Dhamin was shot and badly injured.
Aseel Raad Fayadh was shot and badly injured on January 29th 2005 in Al-Saidyah.
Armed attack was perpetrated on Adel Dishar Zamil's house in Kut on March 23rd 2005. Zamil is the head of the Mandaean Community in Wasit. A threat was written on the main door of the house stating, "You infidels, pay the tribute, or you will be killed."
Engineer Akram Salman's family was attacked by unknown persons on May 26th 2005. His wife, three months pregnant, was badly beaten and lost her unborn child. His son Sinan was kidnapped.
Rumi Rhaima's house was attacked on June 10th 2005. His pregnant daughter-in-law Eman Kraidy Rhaima was badly beaten and lost her unborn child.
Adel Aziz Khisaf's shop was robbed on June 13th 2005. He had refused to pay the Mujahideen (an extremist Islamic group). His shop was destroyed and his life threatened.
Khalid Akram Khalid was robbed and badly beaten on July 16th 2005 in Anbar province.
Fadhil Khalawi was robbed and badly beaten in Basra on July 24th 2005.
Jameel Jebr was robbed and badly beaten in Basra on July 24th 2005.
Salah Rumi Rhaima was kidnapped on March 20th 2005 after threats to change his religion. Ransom was paid.
Newman Jabber Farmhand, Student, was kidnapped on March 27th 2005 and released after ransom was paid.
Shirk Bard Kumar was kidnapped in March 2005 and released after ransom was paid.
Basil Assam Latin, a child, was kidnapped on April 3rd 2005.
Zamia Audi Left was kidnapped on May 8th 2005 in Al-Sad city, and was badly treated before ransom was paid and he was released.
Jamal Nair Mohr was kidnapped on May 8th 2005 in Al-Sad city, and was badly treated before ransom was paid and he was released.
Selah Malawi was kidnapped on May 8th 2005 in Al-Sad city, and was badly treated before ransom was paid and he was released.
Anther Abdul Kari Atria was kidnapped on June 21st 2005. He was released after ransom was paid and his car was stolen.
Insane Sachet was kidnapped on June 27th 2005 and released after ransom was paid.
Muwafaq Ghayadh Jabir was kidnapped for a second time on June 27th 2005.
Khalid abed al-Sadaha was kidnapped. His family sold every thing and to pay the $80, 000 ransom. He was freed, November 10th. During his captivity he witnessed 3 beheadings.
Rapes and Assaults on Women.
Due to the social sensitivity of these attacks, most of the victims refused to speak publicly about their ordeals. Details can be obtained directly from the victims in a private interview upon request. Most of the victims refused to use their cases in a public report.
In June 2004, the supreme Mandaeans Religious Council in Iraq issued a statement calling for all International bodies, religious leaders and governments to interfere to stop the attacks against Mandaeans. The statement called upon the Islamic religious leaders in Iraq and outside to issue fatwas to stop the attacks against Mandaeans and other groups mentioned in the Koran as "people of the book". The statement was in response to the kidnapping and rape of several young Mandaean girls. The young girls were snatched from their homes, raped for ten days and thrown in the streets with a threat of death if they talk about the incident. The council issued a report containing examples of killings, kidnappings, rape and robbery that have targeted the Mandaeans recently and were associated with obvious religious hatred notions. The statement also included examples of 35 families who were forced to convert to Islam in Falouja.
May 2003, Miss B. Z., a Mandaean girl, was kidnapped and assaulted.
May 2003, Miss N. S. S., a Mandaean girl was kidnapped in Baghdad.
In Sowerah, a Mandaean girl named S. A. A. survived an attempt of rape.
July 2nd 2003, S. L. R.., age 29, was kidnapped in Alshurta, Baghadad. She has disappeared ever since.
In mid October, a group of Muslim men kidnapped L.F.K., a 25year Mandaean woman, who works in a hospital in Baghdad. Her whereabouts are still unknown.
Forceful conversions of religion
35 families were forced to convert to Islam in Falluja. Had the Mandaeans not complied they would have been forced out of Falluja, leaving their children and belongings behind.
.
-(name removed for safty)--received threats to convert to Islam or be harmed by her Muslims acquaintances.
Members of (name removed for safty) family and others who had witnessed his death were threatened with their own deaths if they did not convert to Islam.
(name removed for safty) was threatened to convert to Islam or be kidnapped and then he was kidnapped on March 20th 2005. His whereabouts are still unknown up to the preparation of this report.
(name removed for safty) was threatened to be killed along with her daughter (7 years) if she did not convert to Islam. This action forced the woman to escape with her daughter out of the area. This happened in Sadr City, and sector 31, Baghdad.
A letter signed by The Islamic Mujahideen Group and distributed to Mandaean houses and businesses in March, 2005, demanded that all Mandaeans should either convert to Islam, leave the country or be killed by the sword.
Appendix Two
A Brief Summary of the Persecution of Mandaeans
Introduction:
Mandaeanism is a one of the oldest monotheistic religions. It is unrelated to Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. Today adherents of this faith, the tiny minority of Mandaeans (Sub'ba in spoken Arabic), can be found in most large cities in Iraq and in the lands of the lower Euphrates, the lower Tigris, the rivers that surround the Shatt-al-Arab, and in the adjacent Iranian Province of Khuzestan. The Mandaeans have managed to survive despite overwhelming odds at various times in history. The Mandaean doctrine names Adam, the father of mankind, as the first to receive the complex Mandaean religious instructions. Mandaeans consider John the Baptist their last great teacher, in a series of "prophets" since Adam. Baptism is the Mandaean primary ritual, which is why Mandaeans have always sought to live near rivers.
Although Mandaeans have existed long before Christianity, there has been very little written information regarding them before the 20th century. At the present time, research on the Mandaeans is limited to a small population of scholars.
Ancient History:
During their entire history, the Mandaeans have been subject to all kinds of persecution. Their conflicts with other ethno-religious groups and regimes had forced them often to relocate. They settled in the northern and southern parts of what is now Iraq and have managed to live and practice their peaceful rituals during the last 2000 years. After the Islamic invasion of Iraq, thousands of Mandaeans were forced to convert to Islam. The rest had to struggle to survive using various means to convince the Muslims to that they, the Mandaeans were "people of the book."
The Mandaeans are the Sabians who where mentioned in the Koran:
"Those who believe, and the Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabeans, whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve."
Since the beginning of the Islamic era the Mandaeans, like all other religious and ethnic minorities, have been treated as second-class citizens in the land where they have lived for thousands of years. During the rule of the Abbasids in Iraq, the fate of the Mandaeans was in the hands of the Caliph. During that period, the Mandaeans were sometimes recognized for their crafts, intelligence and knowledge of scientific and medical skills. But for the most part if the Caliph and/or the Imams of Islam had another interpretation2 of the Koran, the Mandaeans were treated as infidels and were subjected to brutal persecutions. Many were forced to choose between conversion to Islam or death. In one such ordeal, every Mandaean priest was sentenced to be slaughtered in response to a fatwa from one of the Muslim Imams. Sometime during the 9th century the Mandaeans were forced to take refuge in the southern part of Iraq and Iran near the marshland of Umara and Nasria and resolved themselves to secrecy as another from of survival2. They remained there until the end of the Ottoman rule. In the past it was easier to relocate in order to escape persecution in recent times, however, the Mandaeans are not able to move at will and therefore have had to blend into the surrounding Islamic society or immigrate to countries where religious freedom is honored and protected.
Recent History:
The Mandaeans have always tried to appease the Muslims in order to survive. This is the only reason why they still exist within the rigid Islamic society. Over the centuries the Mandaeans have found it more and more difficult to separate them from Islamic influence. By the 20th century, Mandaean became arabized. Their original Mandaean language survives in liturgy. Often, fearful of persecution, Mandaeans would give conflicting stories regarding themselves or their culture. When asked about their religion, they would give a description making it as similar to Islam or Christianity as possible. This along with living and working with Muslims, learning Muslim customs and habits has enabled Mandaeans to survive during hard times. Although Iraq is generally considered a secular state, most of the laws are Islamic laws or inspired by the Koran. The recent government was mainly Sunni Muslim and the ruling family was from one clan. Under their law, the Mandaeans are supposed to be dealt with as a "people of the book" as described above, but this protection was not honored. interpreting the Koranic verses about the Mandaeans has never been consistent throughout Islam. For example, Alkuee, a Shiite Islamic leader, recognized the Mandaeans as People of the Book in 1979, while Khomeyni, another Shiite, and exactly at the same time, did not. The fear of genocide has always been present and now as Islamic extremism is on the rise this fear is more realistic than ever.
Several factors have affected Iraq in recent history and therefore the Mandaeans. Here are some of them:
First Factor: The Dictatorship
The dictatorship affecting the Iraqi society over the last several decades has been brutal. This dictatorship held an iron grip over all Iraqis. The Mandaeans took their share of misery and pain in the suffering that occurred. Hundreds of their young men and women were either killed, vanished, or were condemned to horrible tortures, over the last forty years. The concept of freedom in that regime, especially religious freedom, was directly related to the observance of the personal favors and mandates demanded of Saddam Hussein and the Baath regime. The Mandaeans have endured severe discrimination in employment, education, the legal system, forced military service, and social shunning. And this has forced over 12,000 of the Mandaeans to flee from Iraq in the past ten years. This represents a major percentage of the total numbers of the Mandaeans in Iraq, making them the most affected minority. Interference of the authorities in religious matters and decisions, has caused many of the Mandaean priests to leave Iraq in the past few years. Several hundreds of Mandaeans have died during Saddam rule for trying to express their thoughts in public.
Second Facto: Rise of Islamic Extremism
Islamic extremism has surged for several reasons but most important of which are the Islamic system in Iran, the increase in shia'a extremism in Iran and Iraq, and the increase in Wahabism from the Arabian Peninsula.
Wahabism is an Islamic faith dominant in the Arabian Peninsula. It carries, in addition to other things, an extremist view of how Muslims should deal with other religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Mandaeism. Intolerance and conversion are the only solution that the leaders of this sect will accept. This sect is now spreading in Iraq and Europe through the direct support of wealthy Muslims in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. The followers of this sect are using any and all means available to them, including money, threats and intimidation, to convert other religious minority members like Mandaeans to Islam. These tactics are highly successful on families living in small Iraqi towns with little or no community support. This sect is also targeting Mandaeans in other areas, like Gulf countries and Europe
Third Factor: The Sanctions
The sanctions led to the destruction of the Iraq's economic infrastructure and led to a surge in Islamic extremism. The misery caused fanatic ideas to pour forth, including the common belief what was happening was God's punishment for the atheists in their midst. Because of this, Mandaeans are being pressed to convert to Islam. A campaign led by Muslim clergymen, taking advantage of poverty and using threats of death, has succeeded since 1996 in the conversion of several families in the cities of Falluja, Ramadi and Umara. In addition, corruption and crime have risen to an astonishing degree, targeting the weaker parts of the society that have no protection from major tribes or high ranking party members and army officials. The minorities, especially the Mandaeans, are the easiest prey. The Mandaeans refuse to carry weapons, believing that both the killer and the killed will suffer in the afterlife. Their main forms of self-defense, pacifism, escape, and avoidance of conflict, make them the prime target for these persecutions. The Mandaeans, being a humble people devoted to pacifism, have never played a major part in the field of politics. They have never been aggressive people and their whole history, as well as their literature, shows that they were able to offer only a passive resistance, at the very best, to persecution and attacks upon their religion.
The legal system
In legal disputes, the law was always interpreted to the benefit of a Muslim especially in matters of personal affairs like custody, divorce or other. The Mandaean Human Right Group has produced a report in 2002 showing examples of these rulings against Mandaeans. In several cases of custody, children were granted to the father who had converted to Islam.
Education
It has been mandatory to attend school in Iraq. But in order to be admitted, Mandaeans children had to cut their hair. This is in direct violation to Mandaean rules. Since the sons of priests are barred from the priesthood if they cut their hair, this forced act has lessened the pool of priests tremendously.
The Mandaeans were not allowed to have their own school to teach their language or religion yet the children have to attend the Islamic religion classes which are taught in public schools through the ninth grade. For that reason, most Mandaeans, since the beginning of the last century, know little about their language and religion.
Employment
Generally, in modern Iraq, Minorities had to prove themselves to a much higher standard to be accepted in any employments but that is especially true in high level employment. Certain positions like judges are prohibited to Mandaeans.
Mandaean Women
Mandaean women suffer much more than the rest of the community. Many Muslim men consider minority women as object of pleasure. The sexual harassment they face in employment, education and everyday activities is enormous. Rapes against the Mandaean women usually go unpunished and most is not even reported because of fear and social stigma. In a rape case of a 15 year old Mandaean girl by a Muslim, the judge advised the girl to convert to Islam and be delivered from infidelity and that he, the judge, would make sure the rapist would marry her. Mandaean women are now forced to dress in the Islamic women dress codes or else will be targeted in the streets.
Mandaeans after the Liberation of Iraq
In April of 2003, the Coalition forces intervened in Iraq and removed one of the most atrocious tyrants of the last century. However, the Mandaean plight did not end with this regime. A new and very troubling situation is rising that may surpass Saddam's cruel claw. The recent surge in religious extremism and the fight for power among political fractions has caused such a lack of security to the point that some areas have become virtually uninhabitable for Mandaeans. It may be true that this is a general result of lawlessness in Iraq, but usually the weakest members in the community pay the price. The Mandaeans who carry no weapons, who will not kill, and have no social establishment to defend them, are the first and easiest targets. In several Friday sermons in Sadr City in Baghdad, Falluja, and Basrah extremist clerics have declared that it is religiously permitted to take money, property, and even women from the infidels as long as they pay a percentage of the loot for the "Islamic cause."
The recent elections in Iraq have given hope to the Iraqi people for a free life. The Mandaeans, however, citing a long history of injustice, fear that the ideology behind an Islamic constitution and government can not be trusted to respect minority rights. There is an intrinsic conflict between true democracy and Islamic ideology, especially when that ideology is in the hands of fanatics. The Mandaean community is now worried that fundamental Islamic powers will push towards an Islamic constitution and an Islamic state that will allow and deny human rights according to one source, the Koran. The Mandaeans fear that eventually there will be religious rulings affecting the welfare of non-Muslims, as has happened in Iran and Afghanistan.
