BAGHDAD — Unlike other religious minorities in Iraq, Sabian Mandaeans meet their election quota by selecting members within their community for parliament and provincial councils.

The community’s three bodies — the Spiritual Council, General Assembly and General Affairs Council — supervise and nominate Mandaeans for senior positions in Iraqi state institutions. A candidate’s name is then submitted in a letter from the community to the institution concerned, such as the Electoral Commission, parliament or presidency.

Through this democratic mechanism, the Mandaeans have tried to prevent major political currents from dominating the minority parties or using the minority representatives to their advantage in parliamentary voting. Yet at times these currents have wielded their influence to manipulate the process so that their supporters are nominated. Of course, the Mandaeans consider this a denial of their rights.

Al-Monitor interviewed Nadia F. Maghamiss of the Divan for Endowments of the Christian, Yazidi and Sabian Mandaean Religions. The prime minister appointed her as acting general director of Sabian Mandaean affairs for the Council of Ministers-affiliated divan.