What would happen if Muqtada al-Sadr declares himself Mahdi?

[ck4829]

The Mahdi is sort of a Messiah for Shia Islam.

What would happen if he does it?

He has a lot going for him:
He's almost untouchable
He's becoming increasingly popular
Rumors are flying around that HE may have been the person who executed Saddam
And his private army IS called the Mahdi Army

Do you think he will not do it?

[CJCRANE]

1. Interesting question.

And gives me an even worse feeling about this whole "surge" operation.

[Hoosier Dem]

2. I doubt he would do it...

But I wouldn't totally rule it out.

What makes al Sadr so dangerous is that he is NOT the thug that the West sees him as. This guys is ruthless AND smart, a pretty bad combination. His people are KEY to the current Iraqui governments majority in parlaiment, so they won't mess with him.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. It ain't going to happen.

That would be like John Ashcroft declaring himself Jesus.

[BushOut06]

4. Muslims would turn on him faster than you can say BOO

It's one thing to say that you're awaiting the Messiah, Mahdi, etc. When one actually appears and claims to be that, they have a tendency to get pretty nasty towards them.

[CJCRANE]

5. True.

Look at what happened to the original Messiah. Let that be a lesson to all of us - stick with the carpentry.