Mahdi Appears

February 2, 2006

AP – Tehran, Iran.  The long-awaited, some have said “mythical,” Mahdi appeared this morning in a tiny Iranian village southwest of the Capital of Iran.  The Mahdi is the legendary 12th Imam. A dispute over the existence of this fabled Islamic character led to the 1200 year, bitter and bloody rift between Sunni Muslims, who rejected the Mahdi and instead followed written laws of succession, and the Shia Muslims, who held that only the bloodline of the prophet Muhammed should rule.
      The Shia believe that that the Mahdi, the last Imam, would appear from a cave in the final days before Jesus returns – no, really.  
     The Mahdi’s return initially was taken by many in the Islamic world as a fantastic justification for the policies and pronouncements of the – some had thought – delusional President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
     However, shortly after his arrival, the Mahdi spoke briefly with President Ahmadinejad, and then shocked onlookers when he screeched in a high-pitched, British accent, “You’ve been a naughty boy!” and slapped hapless Ahmadinejad across the face.
     The Mahdi then retreated to his cave.  The Mahdi saw his shadow this year, indicating that there will be at least six more weeks of winter.