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AFP, via IOL.co.za, France
Oct. 31, 2005
www.int.iol.co.za

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ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 12677 • Posted: Tuesday November 1, 2005  

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An Iranian faith healer who claimed to have a direct line to a Shi’a Muslim Imam who disappeared more than 1 000 years ago has been arrested after swindling the sick out of thousands in dollars.

Press reports said the 52-year-old man, identified only as Majid, targeted multiple sclerosis patients with the promise of healing them by prayer vigils, the Hamshahri newspaper reported on Monday.

He also promised a fast track to heaven for the sick, claiming he was in twice-weekly contact with the 12th Shi’a Imam Mahdi, who is known to Shi’a as the “hidden imam” after he disappeared in the year 873 AD.

Shi’as believe that Imam Mahdi is in a state of “occultation”, and will one day return.

The report said the conman managed to earn more than around 220 000 dollars (about R1 400 000) with his scam, adding that 22 of his victims have so far pressed charges.

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