Ancient, And Fading, Iraqi Group Settles In Mass.

July 25, 2009

Author: Russell Contreras

Source: Syracuse.com

Wire Service: AP

http://www.syracuse.com/religion/index.ssf?/base/national-39/1248511372290560.xml&storylist=religion

Around 150 Iraqi Mandaean (man-DAY'-an) refugees have made a home in Worcester after years of persecution in Iraq.

But away from the land they had called home for more than two millennia, and without a permanent priest or proper place of worship for the next generation, Suha Abdula (AB'-doo-lah) worries that her tiny, ancient religion is facing extinction.