Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood: A force to be feared?
Egypt is the dramatic scenes as thousands turn to the streets to demand that President Hosni Mubarak to step down 30 years in power.
Few images were more powerful than the protesters fell to the ground to pray in the face of the security forces. And if some have been inspired by the role of religious faith in the demonstrations, there are real concerns that the banned Muslim Brotherhood is waiting in the wings, hoping for a chance to take charge.
"It is not just a government and a democracy movement," said former British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday. "And the rest, including the Muslim Brotherhood, which would in this sense different. We must be aware of the aspirations of the people, but do so in a way that produces something better."
Former Israeli diplomat Eli Avidar argued that elections bring to power militant Islamist Hamas movement in Gaza.
"President (George W.) Bush and (Secretary of State) Condi Rice pressure Israel for democratic elections in the Palestinian Authority and what happened was that Hamas took over and these were the first democratic elections and the 'last, "he said.
Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt could do the same thing, he's afraid.
"If they'll take the leadership because of democratic elections, I believe that democracy will not continue in Egypt, because the fact is that, on the other hand they take power, they will not leave," he said.
But Egyptian analyst Mustafa Abulhimal says this is not the revolution of the Muslim Brotherhood.
"The Muslim Brothers are not behind the organization of events," he said. "The Muslim Brothers are not inspiring street protests. The Muslim Brotherhood is a small minority of people in the street," he said.
The Islamists took power in Iran 30 years ago, seizing control of the first revolution, many groups, including communists and secular democratic.
But the current situation in Egypt is not comparable Abulhimal argued.
"The Iranian revolution was made by an Islamist, a charismatic Islamist (Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini. While in Egypt, the charismatic figures who have in the street yesterday and today were secular figures such as Ayman Nour and Mohamed ElBaradei," said Abulhimal to designate two opposition leaders.
El Baradei says he is ready to work with the Muslim Brotherhood is possible that they want to emulate Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini.
"The Muslim Brotherhood has nothing to do with the Iranian model, it has nothing to do with extremism, as we have seen in Afghanistan and elsewhere. The Muslim Brotherhood is a conservative religious group. They are a minority in Egypt.
"I am in contact with them. We need to include them. They are part of Egyptian society, both as a Marxist party here, "he said.
He rejected the idea that Islamic fundamentalists are set to weaken Egypt.
"It's a myth that has been sold by the Mubarak regime - either of us, ruthless dictators, or ... the types of Al-Qaeda," he said.
Abulhimal analyst is confident the Egyptians will not allow the Muslim Brotherhood is the power - because the army to prevent it.
"Neither the people nor the lay leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood would be needed, especially the army would never allow the Muslim Brotherhood to take," said "If the military said." We support the people on the street and have an agreement with President Mubarak to have an orderly transition, "as Americans, said yesterday. - This is not the Muslim Brotherhood"