Sabean-Mandaean community mark Eid Al-Ezdihar festival - in pictures

  • Sabea Mandaean worshippers immerse themselves in the Tigris River during a purification ritual in Baghdad, Iraq. Mandaeism follows the teachings of John the Baptist, and its rites revolve around water and prosperity. Reuters
    Sabea Mandaean worshippers immerse themselves in the Tigris River during a purification ritual in Baghdad, Iraq. Mandaeism follows the teachings of John the Baptist, and its rites revolve around water and prosperity. Reuters
  • A woman from the Sabea Mandaean community during the Prosperity Day celebration in the Tigris River in central Baghdad, Iraq. AP
    A woman from the Sabea Mandaean community during the Prosperity Day celebration in the Tigris River in central Baghdad, Iraq. AP
  • A Prosperity Day ritual on the Tigris. AP
    A Prosperity Day ritual on the Tigris. AP
  • Mandaeans perform a ritual in the Tigris in central Baghdad. AP
    Mandaeans perform a ritual in the Tigris in central Baghdad. AP
  • Members of the community, originally from southern and south-eastern Iraq, say their religion is pre-Christian, although they revere John the Baptist. Today their number has dwindled to about 5,000 who live in Iraq and are officially recognised as a separate religion. AFP
    Members of the community, originally from southern and south-eastern Iraq, say their religion is pre-Christian, although they revere John the Baptist. Today their number has dwindled to about 5,000 who live in Iraq and are officially recognised as a separate religion. AFP
  • A Mandaean child during the Prosperity Day holiday in Baghdad. AFP
    A Mandaean child during the Prosperity Day holiday in Baghdad. AFP
  • The Mandaeans are one of Iraq's smallest and most peaceful religious communities. In Mandaeism John the Baptist is a central prophet, and they practise water immersion as an act of ritual purity. EPA
    The Mandaeans are one of Iraq's smallest and most peaceful religious communities. In Mandaeism John the Baptist is a central prophet, and they practise water immersion as an act of ritual purity. EPA
  • The Eid Al-Ezdihar festival is a one-day religious holiday celebrated by the community. EPA
    The Eid Al-Ezdihar festival is a one-day religious holiday celebrated by the community. EPA
  • A follower marking Eid Al-Ezdihar on the banks of the Tigris river in Baghdad, Iraq. EPA
    A follower marking Eid Al-Ezdihar on the banks of the Tigris river in Baghdad, Iraq. EPA