Arab Uprisings Bring Islamist Regional Vision Closer to Reality (Second Coming Watch Update #56)

Arab uprisings bring Islamist regional vision closer to reality. According to Reuters, the Muslim Brotherhood has quietly spread its influence far beyond Egypt in its 84-year history, but Arab revolts have opened broad new political horizons the group hopes will reflect its founder's vision for the Arab and Islamic world. Mah-moud Ghoz-lan, a member of the Brotherhood's executive bureau, said "There is no doubt that Hassan al-Banna believed in Islamic unity and not just Arab unity. But with such a vision we must consider reality and what is possible. The Brotherhood, banned and repressed under President Hosni Mubarak, did not instigate the uprising against him, but like Islamist parties elsewhere it has been the main beneficiary, using free elections to sweep to the brink of power.

Palestinian president to Pitch New Bid for Statehood at Arab League Summit. According to Russian newspaper, Ria Novosti, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will make his case for a repeat attempt to win full UN membership for Palestine at the Arab League summit in Baghdad. Abbas submitted Palestine's official application for recognition as an independent state in the UN in September 2011. That bid foundered after the U.S. vowed to veto it in the Security Council. A top Abbas aide said, "We understand that the priority for the summit is the Syrian issue and the difficult situation in that country, but it's impossible to leave the Palestinian issue aside due to the failure of the peace process and Israel's refusal to halt settlement activity in our territory,"

Iranian Pastor Nadarkhani is Still Alive Despite False Execution Rumors. According to Religion Today, The American Center for Law and Justice has confirmed that imprisoned Iranian pastor You-cef Na-dar-khan-i was still alive as of March 26.