(CNN) -- The gruesome images circulated by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria might have grabbed the headlines in recent weeks, but the group is merely the latest in the Arab world to try to manipulate Islam for their own ends. From the days of the first Islamic dynasty, ruling elites in the Muslim world have co-opted religion to advance their interests, a trend that has continued hand-in-hand with a willingness to use the state security apparatus whenever necessary. But despite the depressing videos of beheadings supposedly undertaken in the name of Islam, there is growing pushback from moderate voices. The Arab Spring may be on hold, but what I call an Islamic Spring is still very much alive.
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Tech rendered censorship largely ineffective in Arab world, argues Nadia Oweidat
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Social media usage is growing by 125% a year in the region, by one estimate
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Moderate voices are taking to Facebook and YouTube to debate ideas, Oweidat says
Indeed, @placeholder has become a sort of official TV channel for the Arab masses.