Mahdi

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

Mahdi
    n 1: (Islam) a messianic leader who (according to popular Muslim
         belief) will appear before the end of the world and restore
         justice and religion

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Mahdi \Mah"di\, n. [Ar., guide, leader.]
   Among Mohammedans, the last imam or leader of the faithful.
   The Sunni, the largest sect of the Mohammedans, believe that
   he is yet to appear.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The title has been taken by several persons in
         countries where Mohammedanism prevails, -- notably by
         Mohammad Ahmed, who overran the Egyptian Sudan, and in
         1885 captured Khartum, his soldiers killing General
         Gordon, an Englishman, who was then the Egyptian
         governor of the region.
         [1913 Webster]