1.   And while it is hard to imagine a restaurant like the French Laundry in New York, lately, there have been signs that his influence may be spreading.

2.   His influence even spread abroad.

3.   His influence spread to performers like Muddy Waters and on to the Rolling Stones and the British rockers.

4.   His influence spread beyond the clubhouse he dominated and the city he adopted.

5.   Islamic influence spread across Asia, carried as well by merchants, artisans and preachers.

6.   The influence has spread even to high schools.

7.   Their influence spread to Parliament, where three Circassian and Chechen lawmakers last month forced a debate on the Russian invasion of Chechnya.

8.   Its influence spreads far beyond Egypt as most muftis in Asia and Africa study at Al-Azhar.