Iraq's Sabean-Mandaean community mark Eid Al-Ezdihar festival - in pictures

Followers took part in religious ritual on banks of the Tigris river

Worshippers from the Sabea Mandean Nation, immerse themselves in the Tigris River as a purification ritual, in Baghdad, Iraq, November 1, 2022. REUTERS / Ahmed Saad

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

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

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 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

More from The National:

Iraq complains to Interpol as it seeks return of looted artefacts

Workers harvest saffron in Afghanistan — in pictures

In pictures: which building represents each country at the Arab League Summit?

Robbie Williams, Enrique Iglesias and more coming to Doha as part of World Cup Qatar 2022