I will tweak and then post this to the list.

I wonder if Tony or Richard or both would comment on the formation of Egypt's first Islamist political party -- that's the Hizb al-Wasat al-Jadid (also known as Al-Wasat).

I don't know much about it, and haven't had the time to find out.

There is plenty of time to grow familiar with the electoral landscape in Egypt. You no doubt are aware of the constitutional changes pending referendum, and no doubt are aware that a raft of electoral law will need to be rescinded once new assemblies form.

That's why I thought it was a good idea to see the first Islamist party out of the gates. Al Wasat has been trying to register a party since their split from the MuslimBoogeyhood. Their platform is different from the MB's presumed platform on three essential points.

In a general sense, it's a sign that Islam has an audience in Egypt (but we didn't need the formation of Al-Wasat to know that) which can only, in the general sense again, be dangerous.

By invoking a general sense, we can avoid getting a feeling for events on the ground. Here it is vaguely stated that the registration of Al-Wasat can only be dangerous. In a general sense. Well, a general sense of danger doesn't let us assess Al-Wasat's particular danger. Details matter in such an assessment, I think all agree.

Two million people in Tahrir square chanting "To Jerusalem we are heading, martyrs in the millions" isn't a good sign either.

Of course, considering that the video cited is reproduced widely on Rapture and Anti-Islamic kook sites, my first question was, 'so what?'

Many knowledgeable commenters (Arabic speaking) noted that the chant was a common phrase shouted during the 18 days of revolution http://translate.google.com/#en|ar|to%20Jerusalem%20we%20go%20.%0A%0Amartyrs%2C%20millions

But let's give the wiiged-out folks the benefit of the doubt and note the chant. Is this the ultimate sign from Friday the 18th?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbHwekWRqAY

Others have filled in more background here -- the Friday sermonette at noon prayers by the returned Qaradawi, banned for decades from speaking, that Qaradawi expressed hope that he could lead prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. He's now gone back to his home in Doha, and the details and implications of his sermonette can be assessed.

What, effectively, led some secular Google People (such as Wael Ghonim) to praise Qaradawi's lecture? Do you know, Richard?

By the way, what do you think of the most popular Muslim preacher in Egypt, Amr Khaled (who has also returned to Egypt after an eight-year ban from speaking and a two year exile, and who is to deliver an important Friday address in Upper Egypt)?

Muslim television preacher returns to Egypt

By Lauren E. Bohn, Special to CNN

As Egyptians returned to Tahrir Square to push for the realization of more political demands, one of the world’s most influential Muslim television preachers delivered his first address in Egypt since President Hosni Mubarak left office.

“I don’t have a stronger message than this: Kill yourself working for Egypt,” Amr Khaled told a crowd of thousands.

Khaled traveled to Sohag, a poor governorate in Upper Egypt, for the first time to deliver lectures. He announced the launch of a microfinance project and literacy and politic awareness campaigns.

Hagar Ashraf, 15, said it was the best day of her life. “It’s the first time to see him. I always saw him on television talking about hope,” she said. ‘That’s why I love him. Just hope. Nothing more.”

Heralded by many in the West as a voice of Islamic moderation, Khaled urged youth to practice peaceful coexistence and be tolerant of different cultures and ideas.

“The world is opening up for all of us,” he said.

It certainly is for Khaled who was one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2007. He has been banned from speaking in his native Egypt for the past eight years.