People in Tehran held a gathering on Thursday to celebrate the beginning of the Imamate of Imam Mahdi, the 12th Shia Imam.

Imam Mahdi was born in 969 AD in Iraq. According to historical scriptures, when he was born, his father hid him from the ruler of the time who sought to dispose of him.

He is believed to be still living in occultation and will rise to rid the world of tyranny and injustice.