Are there other moderate movements in the Muslim world?

Our best hope is that the educated, young Egyptians are those who shape the future of democracy in Egypt. Under the radar a more moderate movements have been taking hold in other Muslim countries.
Aside from the  moderate democratic Muslim governments Turkey and Indonesia, there are. I identified some of these in a column I wrote in mid January 2009. An excerpt:

"Are there any street level movements   that could eventually replace the lure of the violent  jihadists to the disaffected youth?  It  varies from country to country, but there are some encouraging signs.

          The internet and cable TV and study abroad have brought a new kind of learning that is not based upon  traditional  fundamentalist Islamic schooling.  There is new brand of Muslim evangelists, preaching a more moderate, non politicized  approach to Islam, emphasizing the moral teachings of the Koran.  In Egypt and Saudi Arabia, these young evangelists have attained rock star status, drawing huge crowds to their events.

In Pakistan, the  Sufi movement is a 1200 year old Muslim sect that is peaceful, mystical, and ecumenical.  It supports governments and laws that are secular, not religious.   Their movement is picking up power.  In northern Pakistan, a Taliban gathering  to behead someone does not bring out a crowd; the Sufi can draw several hundred thousand to one of their joyous festivals.

 Turkey is a western  leaning Muslim nation .  In the Denver Post(travel section, January 4,2009), Rick Steves, the travel guru, wrote  that  “time in Muslim places like Turkey…reminds me how travel takes the fear out of foreign ways. …things I learn about Islam in the United States fill me with fear and anger. Things I learn about Islam in Muslim countries fill me with hope”.   

If Barack Obama’s “smart power” foreign policy takes the wind out of the violent Jihadists sails and allows more  peaceful movements to grow,  the world will be a less dangerous and threatening place. Let us pray he succeeds."