Mandaee Saebeen in History, from Palestine to Iran

The Mandaee Saebeen, with a deep historical background, was among the known groups in Islamic culture and civilization. The Quran has placed them among the People of the Book. The historical events related to the Saebeen's religious and social life in the Palestinian territories that are mentioned in the oral tradition and Holy Scriptures of Mandaee Saebeen shows that the Palestinian territory was their early origin. Their migration toward Mesopotamia had been under the influence of external factors – foreign invasion– as well as internal factors – the conflict with the Jews. The religious tolerance of Achaemenid and Parthian governments was effective in the continuity of religious life of Saebeen in Mesopotamia as a part of Achaemenid to Sassanid Empire and ameliorated their immigration to the south-west parts of Iran, Khuzestan. Saebeen, from their first entry to the geographical domain of Iran in Khuzestan up to now (2010 AD), have experienced religious and social ups and downs with hardships and openings. However, in recent years, with the declaration of Ayatollah Khamenei that they are among the People of the Book, there opened a new chapter of Saebeen's historical presence in Iran and provided an easy course to their religious and social life. This study, with a purely historical approach, and with a consideration of historical sources, tries to give a clear picture of Saebeen and differentiate them from star-worshippers.