This is not an isolated incident...

...nor is it confined to the Arab/Muslim world. As I have said, depending on economic conditions (and today's GDP figure is not exactly reassuring as the tradition of goosing NOMINAL GDP is standard operating procedure for nations trying to buy time until the next economic expansion) we will see much more of Cloth or Gavel type of choices with respect to how people are ruled and order is achieved.

CAIRO — In post-revolutionary Egypt, where hope and confusion collide
in the daily struggle to build a new nation, religion has emerged as a
powerful political force, following an uprising that was based on
secular ideals.

The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group once banned by the state, is
at the forefront, transformed into a tacit partner with the military
government that many fear will thwart fundamental changes.

It is also clear that the young, educated secular activists who
initially propelled the nonideological revolution are no longer the
driving political force — at least not at the moment.

As the best organized and most extensive opposition movement in Egypt,
the Muslim Brotherhood was expected to have an edge in the contest for
influence. But what surprises many is its link to a military that
vilified it.

“There is evidence the Brotherhood struck some kind of a deal with the
military early on,” said Elijah Zarwan, a senior analyst with the
International Crisis Group.

“It makes sense if you are the military — you want stability and
people off the street. The Brotherhood is one address where you can go
to get 100,000 people off the street.”