Baptism Ceremony of Mandaean children in Ahvaz

Baptisms have been performed for seven newborn Mandaean infants in the Karun River in Ahvaz. The ceremonies came ahead of July 16, the most important date in the calendar of this religious minority and the start of Mandaean New Year. In Mandaean tradition, July 16 - the day of the creation of Adam - is accompanied by 36 hours of i'tikaaf, or seclusion and prayer. Intants must have performed the initial baptism in order to participate. This particular ritual, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, was performed by clerics of the religious minority in compliance with health protocols, and while keeping an appropriate distance from onlookers.