Followers of Mandaeism are seen as performing baptism in Karun River, Khuzestan province. The Mandaean community reveres John the Baptist, who they call Yehyea Yahana. Baptism, or masbuta, is the key ritual of this gnostic faith. Unlike Christians, Mandaeans may be baptised hundreds, even thousands of times over the course their life. Tehran Times / Mehdi Pedramkhoo