Jasim Assi explores Mandaean literature in latest book

KARBALA – Iraqi critic and novelist Jasim Assi has released a new book, “Poetic and Narrative Illuminations: Readings on the Works of Mandaean Writers.” The 102-page book examines the literary contributions of three Mandaean writers, focusing on themes of alienation, nostalgia, and cultural identity.

Assi highlights the works of Salam Nasser Al-Khudadi, Khalil Al-Hilli, and Yaseen Al-Nashi, delving into their experiences as members of Iraq’s minority Mandaean community. The book explores the authors’ reflections on feeling excluded in Iraqi society and their struggles with displacement after migrating abroad.

“This book combines poetry, prose, and storytelling, presenting the experiences of three Mandaean writers,” Assi told 964media. He credited the project’s inception to Al-Samir Publishing House in Basra, adding that the featured authors have roots in Amarah and literary backgrounds in Baghdad but now reside in Australia.

Assi’s analysis highlights the writers’ connection to nature, particularly water and trees, and their use of religious symbolism rooted in Mandaean traditions. He commended the authors for their global cultural awareness and their inclusive humanistic perspective.

The book also explores the authors’ opposition to Iraq’s former dictatorship and their identity within the country’s leftist literary community.

The Sabian Mandaeans, a religious minority with ancient roots in pre-Islamic Mesopotamia, historically flourished in southern Iraq. The community, estimated at about 70,000 people, has largely left Iraq due to instability following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

Assi, a graduate of the Teachers’ Institute in 1964 and a former educator, is a prolific literary figure in Iraq. He has published 58 works spanning fiction, novels, and literary criticism, with his contributions featured in Iraqi and Arab publications for decades.