The recent release of the once revered deputy prime minister from his six years in prison has certainly created a shockwave on the Malaysian political scenery.

But the question remains - why was Anwar Ibrahim released? What great reasons were there to really cause the dramatic conclusion to this saga? Was it his health? Or are we to just simply swallow the conclusion of the courts that the prosecution's witness' remarks were incorrect altogether?

Or was it because Pak Lah being an old chum and just on the flip side decided to let go his former buddy? The thing about all this is that we tend to see the situation on a micro scale rather than taking into account the big picture.

Whatever, the manipulations, my premise is simple enough. With Anwar being released and assuming that he is willing to play along, it's my assumption that he is needed (now more than ever) to show the great Western powers that Islam is no threat.

At the same time, he can use his (assumed) influences among Islamic groups to persuade them to sort of cease and decease all forms of military actions. There are other Muslim leaders in the world today, but none quite fit the bill.

Yasser Arafat does have influence but he is hated by some Western-allied countries namely the not forgetting Israel that would rather have him blown to kingdom come. Our Dr Mahathir Mohamad is still on the bad books of the British as well as the Americans for his anti-West stance previously, while the young King of Jordan does not present himself as a likely candidate at the present time.

Thus, lo and behold, Anwar Ibrahim the man that everybody (Western allied powers that is) like and respect. The only Malaysian that is known to have been given an honour guard at the Pentagon with all the military branches of the mighty USA being present.

Being a founder as well as president of Abim (Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia), Anwar is familiar and has influence with other Islamic groups throughout the region not forgetting that this was the man that built the International Islamic University (IIU) which is the only Islamic university outside the Middle East.

IIU had an international class of students. From the sons and daughters of lords and kings to those who later rose to positions of power and influence in politics and business at the same time maintaining contact with Anwar.

I'm not, however, suggesting that Osama bin Laden attended IIU or for that matter has ever met Anwar; but if we are to take the simple argument that it takes just a single contact for person to know another in this day and age (the six degree principal), then I think it's safe to assume that Osama must have heard of Anwar Ibrahim!

And thus, it makes sense if Anwar is chosen to bear the flag of Islam and while such a burden will be tremendous, he must wield it for the sake of the faith.