BEAVER DAM, Wis. -- A Muslim religious leader from Pakistan whose passport shows he was born in 1823 and claims he is 160 years old arrived Wednesday night to undergo a series of medical tests.
Dr. Ayaz Samdani, a Pakistan native who has been a family doctor in the area for 12 years, told United Press International that Sayed Abdul Mabood was visiting him to have a medical checkup.
'He is a religious leader and according to some people we know, he may be the oldest person in the world,' Samdani said. 'He has a son in Russia who is over 100 years old.'
Samdani said Mabood came to Beaver Dam because an uncle of his is a disciple of Mabood's.
'I'm like their son so they came to me,' he said.
Mabood flew to London from Pakistan and then to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. He was picked up by car and driven to Samdani's home.
'We were surprised he would come to visit us but he feels very good. He is sleeping now,' Samdani said.
'He stoops forward when he walks and he's a little hard of hearing. But he understands questions and what is going on.'
Samdani said he did not think Mabood had any special secrets for his longevity except for his religious beliefs.
'He follows the dictates of the Koran (the Muslim holy book),' said Samdani. 'It says you can live long ... and he believes in it.'
After the checkup, which will take several weeks, Mabood will journey to an annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
