The Over-throw of Dictators in the Middle East

Who ever imagined that the people of the Middle East, united through new social media outlets like facebook, google and twitter, would come together in strong-voiced opposition of their dictatorial leaders and cause revolutions from Tunisia to Lebanon?  We do not yet know how many countries this will effect, but the over-throw of "President" Muburak in Egypt took the situation from mildly interesting to Westerners to imminently worrying.  As hundreds of Americans stream out of this traditional tourist location as fast as the US consulate in that country can arrange flights, the world waits with baited breath to see who will rise to the empty throne.  The Muslim Brotherhood (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_Brotherhood; http://www.ikhwanweb.com/about.php) is gaining momentum and could be a strong force for putting a caliph ("representative of Muhammad") in power.  On the other hand, do all the the protesters long for an Islamic nation?  Hardly.  More importantly, WOULD AN EGYPT LED BY THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD NECESSARILY BE BAD FOR THE US of A?  That is also up for debate.

Unlike many Muslim political groups, the Brotherhood does not believe in violence and considers it necessary, according to the teaching of Muhammad himself, to limit their own control over the lives of their citizens.  In some ways, they could be considered a liberal or peaceful Islamic group.  More importantly, however, as is presented excellently in the following article: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-27/muslim-brotherhood-could-win-in-egypt-protests-and-why-obama-shouldnt-worry/, the US tends to get itself in trouble when it puts American 'puppets' in power.  We claim to believe in freedom of voice and government by the people, for the people.  If the majority of Egyptians desire a Caliphate, would it not be hypocritical for us to stand in the way?  More importantly, if we could overcome our paranoia about Islam, we might see that an Egyptian Caliphate could be a blessing in disguise.

It is difficult to say, but an Egyptian Caliphate just might be an excellent outcome.  Thus speaks a hopeful voice.  Certainly, it would be better than ongoing anarchy spreading outward across the Muslim world.  Many may not realize that the "Muslim world" spreads from the western edge of North Africa, across dozens of countries to the borders if India, sends feelers into that nation and then gives a leap, hop and jump over to Bangladesh and another down to Indonesia (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/World_Muslim_Population_Pew_Forum.png), reaching all the way to the southwestern borders of Asia, near Australia.  In short, if we want peace in our times, peace with Islam is necessary.  This does not mean we AGREE with everything they do or believe, by any means.  Nonetheless, in order to avoid World War III we probably will need to learn how to live non-offensively towards them and take any genuine gestures of friendship or at least neutrality on their part with open arms.

What is most exciting about the current turn of events, in my mind, is that for the first time thousands of Muslims ARE gaining a voice in their own politics, which could lead to Islamic States far more like Turkey than Iran.  For this we pray.