Eliot Weinberger explores the ancient beliefs of the Mandaeans--a Gnostic sect in Iraq that follows John the Baptist--in the May issue of Harper’s. Dr. Suhaib Nashi, a co-founder of the Mandaean Human Rights Group, tells us about some of the modern human rights challenges facing the Mandaeans--from killings, to rape, forced conversions, and displacement.

The Mandaean Associations Union

Eliot Weinberger's essay "Mandaeans" is included in his collection An Elemental Thing, which is available for purchase at amazon.com