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Not surprisingly, it's a technical religious term. Mahdaviat derives from mahdi, Arabic for "rightly-guided one," a major figure in Islamic eschatology. He is, explains the Encyclopaedia of Islam, "the restorer of religion and justice who will rule before the end of the world." The concept originated in the earliest years of Islam and, over time, became particularly identified with the Shi‘ite branch. Whereas "it never became an essential part of Sunni religious doctrine," continues the encyclopedia, "Belief in the coming of the Mahdi of the Family of the Prophet became a central aspect of the faith in radical Shi‘ism," where it is also known as the return of the Twelfth Imam.
Mahdaviat means "belief in and efforts to prepare for the Mahdi."
He often raises the topic, and not just to Muslims. When addressing the United Nations in September, Mr. Ahmadinejad flummoxed his audience of world political leaders by concluding his address with a prayer for the Mahdi's appearance: "O mighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your last repository, the Promised One, that perfect and pure human being, the one that will fill this world with justice and peace."
Mahdaviat has direct and ominous implications for the U.S.-Iran confrontation, says an Ahmadinejad supporter, Hamidreza Taraghi of Iran's hard-line Islamic Coalition Society. It implies seeing Washington as the rival to Tehran and even as a false Mahdi. For Mr. Ahmadinejad, the top priority is to challenge America, and specifically to create a powerful model state based on "Islamic democracy" by which to oppose it. Mr. Taraghi predicts trouble ahead unless Americans fundamentally change their ways.
Originally posted by EMPIRE
www.abovetopsecret.com...
That thread may be of use to you. It isn't from an Islamic perspective, but it still sheds light on the subject.
Originally posted by KSPigpen
Wow, so instead of the Antichrist, Obama is now the 'False Mahdi.' Is that a promotion?
The Bush administration has built a new generation of nuclear weapons that we call ‘usable’ nukes, and they have a nuclear ‘posture’ now, which permits the use of nuclear weapons in a non-nuclear environment if the Commander in Chief deems U.S forces to be at significant risk. If we start bombing Iran (I tell you now it’s not going to work).
My concern is that we will use nuclear weapons to break the backbone of Iranian resistance and it may not work, but what it will do is this: It will unleash the nuclear genie. So to all those Americans out there tonight who are saying, you know what, taking on Iran is a good thing… . And if we use nuclear weapons, the genie ain’t going back in the bottle until an American city is taken out by an Islamic weapon in retaliation. So tell me, you want to go to war against Iran, pick your city. Pick your city. Tell me which one you want gone. Seattle? L.A.? Boston? New York? Miami? Pick one! Because at least one’s going. And that’s something we should all think about before marching down this path of insanity.
Originally posted by Vitchilo
But in 2006, I had the chance to ask him a question, I asked him about the whole Mahdi thing. He answered that he believed the Mahdi would show up on the day of the american elections.
Originally posted by Cuhail
Doesn't matter. Personal experiences cannot be refuted unless you have proof it did not happen.
Oh my goodness, lest we forget the Ultra Orthodox Talmudic Zionists who are wailing for war,
Originally posted by Alethea
Who is really orchestrating this rumbling of war?
Originally posted by Exuberant1
Originally posted by Vitchilo
But in 2006, I had the chance to ask him a question, I asked him about the whole Mahdi thing. He answered that he believed the Mahdi would show up on the day of the american elections.
I don't believe you.
That is to say - you have given us nothing that would persuade us to believe you.
Nice story though...