Team member Iraniangirl was pulling for Iranian dissident Hashem Aghajeri, but I figured it was a longshot against the Pope. As it turns out, the winner was even more of a dark horse - and an even better choice (Hat Tip: Allah Is In The House):

"Oct. 10 — Shirin Ebadi became the first Muslim woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize today, in recognition of her work promoting the rights of women and children in Iran over the past three decades. In awarding the prize to Ms. Ebadi, the Nobel committee said it wished to prod the Muslim world into recognizing that Islam and human rights, particularly those of women and children, can go hand in hand. The committee also said it hoped to advance a moderate, nonviolent path toward reform in Islamic countries, one in which religious and cultural differences are rewarded rather than punished during this time of turbulence and upheaval."

What's the matter - did the Nobel Committee run out of terrorists and poseurs with availability on awards night? Whatever the reason for this fluke of good judgment, my sincere congratulations go out to Shirin Ebadi - and to the cause she fights for. You can find more information over at Freethoughts.org. I'll leave the last word to team member Iraniangirl, in Tehran: bq. "I don't know what this regime is going to do with this one.... Now she is the lawyer of all of us, & has the duty to fight for our rights, more than before...I'm so happy, it’s the first time I feel so proud of being an Iranian girl."