Where are the great philosophers?

I suppose that you have to be dead in order to be recognized by the world as a great philosopher. I was just musing over the Pope's latest speech which has 'riled up the muslim street'. A thought occurred to me, if Ibn Rashd were alive today he would have risen up and challenged the Vicar to a lively debate. The world would have groaned under the spidery threads of their theological discourse. Great scholars would debate their words for weeks to come.

The masses would sit by, scratching their heads until someone gave them a thirty second soundbite of what these guys were discussing. It would be lively and interesting. Also, the streets of Kabul wouldnt look like Oakland after the raiders just lost a game. I am willing to wager that there are modern day Ibn Rashd's out there. Only they dont have a voice loud enough to reach the western world. Instead we have guys like Muqtada al-Sadr (who take advantage of the disenfranchised and desperate) who the get all the press. The world can do better than this.