H.E. Ambassador Lukman Faily attended the Mandaeans commemoration of the holy new year festival in Massachusetts on July 21, 2013.
The Ambassador delivered remarks, extending his well wishes to the Iraqi Mandaean community in the United States and Iraq, on the occasion of their holy festival. Mr. Faily noted that the Mandaean community is one of the oldest in Iraq and praised their leading role in the cultural and social history of Iraq.
The Ambassador also met with Himnotha Association board members, discussing issues of concern to the community. The Association thanked the Ambassador Faily for his visit and participation in their celebration.
Mandaeans are a religious sect of great antiquity that still exist in limited numbers in the border territories of southern Iraq. Adherents to the faith can be found in the cities and villages in the lands of the lower Euphrates, the lower Tigris, and the rivers that surround the Shatt-al-Arab.