BENGHAZI, Libya: An Islamic revival is taking hold in rebel-held eastern Libya after decades of tough curbs on worship by Moammar Gadhafi, but clerics say this will not be a new source of religious extremism as the West may fear.

Restrictions on Islamic piety have become history in the east of the Arab North African state since its takeover by anti-Gadhafi insurgents, and clerics see a much bigger role for Islam in the country if Gadhafi is ultimately driven from power.