National Geographic Highlights Iraq’s Ancient Mandaean Rituals

National Geographic selected a photograph taken on the banks of the Tigris River in Baghdad for its Pictures of the Year 2025 collection, chosen from among hundreds of thousands of images submitted from around the world, with only 25 photographs selected for publication.

The image documents an aspect of Mandaean religious rituals, showing Mandaean women carrying wreaths of myrtle while performing the baptism ritual in the river, which is a central practice in their faith, closely associated with flowing water.

Mandaeism is considered one of the world’s oldest Gnostic religions, with roots in ancient Mesopotamia. Its rituals and beliefs have been practiced for thousands of years, making it an integral part of Iraq’s religious and cultural heritage.

This photograph reflects the values of religious diversity and social tolerance within Iraqi society, highlighting how spiritual heritage can serve as a bridge for human understanding and a cultural message that travels from Baghdad to the world through the lens of photographer Moises Saman.