(CNN) -- In Tunisia, an Islamic party wins the election. In Libya, statements about adopting Sharia, or Islamic law, raise concerns about the future. In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood strategizes about how best to score political gains. In the West, real fears arise that the Arab Spring will spawn new states more akin to the principles of al Qaeda and Hamas than fledgling democracies. Political Islam is sure to be a factor as major change sweeps through formerly despotic nations. But exactly how is a question that is up for intense debate. The idea of political Islam raises eyebrows among secularists, women, minority religions who fear their ways of life will come under serious threat if Islamic parties enforce their will. But some caution against looking at Islam's role too simplistically -- it is, after all, deeply rooted in the region.
@highlight
Political Islam is sure to be a factor as change sweeps through Arab nations
@highlight
But can Islamic law be reconciled with democracy?
@highlight
Tunisia's leadership may look to Turkey as a model
@highlight
Libyans reassure the West they are moderate Muslims
And Tunisia, he said, could do the same, where @placeholder could play a public role but with filters.