THE SABEA(N) MANDEANS are in danger from the polluted water of the Tigris river:

Languid Tigris Waters Mask Iraq's Pollution Menace (Reuters)
Sun Jul 11, 2004 11:02 AM ET

By Matthew Green

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Plunging under the olive green surface of the Tigris, worshippers from an obscure sect emerge spurting water from their mouths.

A little way downstream, a torrent of sewage gushes into the river as it flows through the Iraqi capital Baghdad. A stench like rotten eggs wafts through the air.

Described in legend as flowing from a source near the Garden of Eden, the Tigris is now choking with modern-day pollution that researchers say puts millions of Iraqis at risk.

[...]

Shrugging off concerns of environmentalists, white-robed worshippers of the Sabea Mandean Nation, a relic of the ancient Gnostic religions, took their weekly dip in the Tigris to purify their souls.

Environmentalists say Iraq's interim government must clean up a river that provides drinking water for Baghdad and much of southern Iraq, saying risks should not be overlooked even though the leadership is focused on crushing insurgents.

[...]

"We need the help of the government, we need the help of the world," said Tahrir al-Jawahiri, an engineering consultant who used to design Iraqi sewage works.

To members of the Sabea Mandean Nation, the river's contents are of little concern.

"These little pieces of rubbish don't hurt a big river like the Tigris," said Salem Khazal, 37, waiting to be immersed.

"You should drink some -- you'll like it," he said.

There's more on the Mandeans here.