Yes, the Sunni Arab states are lining up, but it is behind apocalyptic Iran. According to terrorism analyst Yossef Bodansky (Defense & Foreign Affairs Strategic Policy 1, 2008), the US President has lined up behind Iran too, in order to cut a deal whereby the US will not challenge Iranian hegemony in Iraq and the wider region, in exchange for Iran's guarantee that the US can have a honourable exit from Iraq (one resembling "achievement").

Since the reported November 2007 deal, the violence in Iraq has diminished, Iran's nuclear program has been deemed non-threatening, the Sunni Arabs have raced to line up behind Iran, and Ahmadinejad has purged his cabinet. (Further reporting, see link 10)

With the Muslim bloc consolidating behind Iran it is difficult to see how Mohammed Hegazi (an Egyptian apostate) can secure religious liberty for Egypt. His courageous stand will, however, raise awareness of freedom and justice issues, further expose Islamic repression and violence, and doubtless will be used by God to generate many more apostates who will be in great need of prayer and refuge.

A Closing Word

As noted earlier, when the Cold War (1989-1991) ended there was great optimism that swords could now be beat into ploughshares (Isaiah 2:4b) and that an age of global peace, harmony and friendship may have dawned.

It is interesting to note, however, that in the Isaiah passage (Isaiah 2:1-5) the changed social order is not the means to a changed spiritual order; rather the changed social order is the result of a changed spiritual order.

We are entering dark days where war and persecution of the Church are set to escalate markedly. But regardless of what is happening in this world, God is still sovereign, his promises still stand, the Church is still his instrument and prayer and mission-preaching-witness are still his appointed means.

'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts' (Zechariah 4:6 ESV).

Links

1) A New Brand of Nonbelievers
In a Divided Europe, Ex-Muslims Want to Be Heard. 17 Sept 2007
http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=3607887&page=1  
picture: Chairman of the Dutch Ex-Muslim committee Ehsan Jami (22) holds up a red t-shirt that reads "I am an ex-Muslim too".
For full text see print version: http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=3607887 
ALSO
Young Muslims begin dangerous fight for the right to abandon faith. 11 Sept 2007
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2426314.ece 

2) Compass Direct http://www.compassdirect.org/content/index.php?id=25  Egypt : Muslim Sues for Right to Convert to Christianity7 Aug 2007
Egypt : Convert in Hiding after Lawyer Backs Out 8 Aug 2007
Egypt : Islamists Join Case against Convert to Christianity 10 Oct 2007
Egypt : In Hiding, Convert Continues Fight for Rights 15 Nov 2007
Egypt : Tempers Flare into Melee at Convert’s Hearing 25 Jan 2008
Egypt : Court Rules Against Convert 31 Jan 2008
ALSO
Hegazi case: Islam's obsession with conversions
by Samir Khalil Samir sj, 29 Aug 2007
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=10161