Mandaeans were known to have first come from northern Mesopotamia in which they practised their religion around the lower areas of Iraq in the Karun, Euphrates and Tigris River. Mandaeans were known to have been a community that did not exceed 100 000 members. Until the 2003 Iraq war, many members of the mandaean community had lived in Iraq but were soon persecuted and forced to flee to various countries in which they sought residency, some came as refugees and were imprisoned in detention camps until granted rights to live within the country. Members of the Mandaean community fled to countries such as Syria, Jordon, Sweeden, America, Australia and other western countries. Australia currently has a total Mandaean population of 5,000 and settlement of these members occur in Sydney's Western Region. Currently Australia is home to a vast growing Mandaean community.