"As the pope met with local Christian and Muslim leaders, the names of other, smaller religious groups found in Iraq also made the news. One of these was likely unfamiliar to the majority of those in the English-speaking world: the Mandaeans. Also called Sabians, they are followers of the last Gnostic religion to survive continuously from ancient times down to the present day.
Gnostic religions view the material world as the product of a mistake in the heavenly realm, the creation of one or more inferior divine beings rather than the supreme God."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/mind-and-soul/this-tiny-minority-of-iraqis-follows-an-ancient-gnostic-religion-and-there-s-a-chance-they-could-be-your-neighbors-too/ar-AALgS5c
"Mandaeism, like other forms of Gnosticism, is an esoteric religion whose literature remains mostly in the hands of priestly families. Their sacred texts are written in a distinctive alphabet used only for that purpose. The contents and meaning of these works are largely unknown even to most Mandaeans, never mind others."
https://news.yahoo.com/tiny-minority-iraqis-follows-ancient-121827458.html
"Mandaean — an ethno-religious minority in Iraq who practice Mandaeism, an ancient Gnostic religion — were forced into exile."
"Mandaeans trace their ancestry back to the rivers of ancient Mesopotamia and revere John the Baptist as their greatest prophet. Their belief system focuses on flowing water, which they believe represents the most basic component of life."
https://indypendent.org/2019/11/by-the-rivers-of-babylon-these-iraqi-gnostics-hold-water-sacred-jordanian-authorities-wont-let-them-worship/
This tiny minority of Iraqis follows an ancient Gnostic religion – and there’s a chance they could be your neighbors too
https://religionnews.com/2021/06/21/this-tiny-minority-of-iraqis-follows-an-ancient-gnostic-religion-and-theres-a-chance-they-could-be-your-neighbors-too/
These Iraqis Follow The Last Continuously Surviving Gnostic Religion
https://religionunplugged.com/news/2021/6/25/these-iraqis-follow-the-last-continuously-surviving-gnostic-religion