Iraqi Mandaeans thrive after being uprooted from Middle East to midwest

This ancient gnostic religion has put down new roots across the globe, but the community faces broader challenges in the US

In many ways, Shahad Darwish's life in Michigan is just like anyone else's. The 23-year-old is studying for a master's degree in psychology at a local university and helps out at her family's jewelry business.

But in other ways, it's very different: Darwish is one of about 3,000 Michigan-based Sabean Mandaeans, followers of John the Baptist - and one of the oldest surviving gnostic religions in the world.