Op-Ed by His Majesty King Abdullah II
Letter to Corriere
della Sera
September 12, 2005
For five years, I have argued that the global struggle against terrorism cannot
be fought by military means alone. It is a moral, intellectual, and social
effort as well. To defeat these extremists, we must resist their effort to
create a clash of civilizations, which would divide people of good will and
weaken progress toward global peace and prosperity. All of us must accept the
responsibility to reject hate, ignorance, and violence. This requires an honest
and continuing dialogue between the West and the Muslim World.
As part of that effort, today, my wife Rania and I will meet with Pope Benedict
XVI. Our discussions carry forward a positive, respectful conversation between
our faiths. Indeed, Jordan is deeply engaged in this historic dialogue. Pope
John Paul II, who began his Jubilee Pilgrimage in Amman, called us “brothers in
Abraham.” Our Islamic country is home to a 2,000-year-old Arab Christian
community. Together, our people are as one in contributing to the vitality,
peace, and future of our country.
Jordan’s constitutional freedom of religion expresses core Arab-Islamic values –
a calling to peace; respect for others; the commandment to social justice. This
is the voice of Islam as it has been taught and practiced for over a thousand
years, and it is the opposite of the ignorant ideology of hate shouted by
today’s extremist elements. Today, the majority of Muslims are determined to
reclaim their historic faith. The “Amman Message,” issued last November,
restates Islam’s teachings regarding humility before God, the equal dignity of
all people, compassion, and pluralism; and it denounces extremism and terrorism
as deviations from Islam and transgressions against God.
This effort and others seek to unite the voices of moderation, who are the vast
majority of Muslims, here in Italy, in Jordan, and all over the world. Leading
Muslim clerics in Europe and the Middle East have decisively condemned terror,
expressing the duty of Muslims to act to protect the innocent. In July, Jordan
hosted the first International Islamic Conference. It welcomed more than 170
scholars and experts, Sunni and Shi’a, from more than 40 countries, including
Europe. Delegates affirmed the core values expressed in the Amman Message, and
took measures to end abuses of our faith.
Islam does not isolate its believers behind hate and division. It encourages our
people to partner with all humanity in global progress and peace. Jordan has
made that commitment. Our country has played a leading role in regional peace
efforts, and we are pleased that Italy has supported our constructive role.
Today, with Italian support through the Quartet and G-8, a roadmap for peace in
the Arab-Israeli conflict exists. Based on the breakthrough peace initiatives by
Arab nations at the Beirut Summit of 2002, the roadmap provides for a
comprehensive, two-state solution, the only kind of peace that can endure: a
sovereign, democratic and viable Palestine; security guarantees for Israel; and
a process that leads to a comprehensive settlement that addresses the Syrian and
Lebanese tracks. We must not allow the enemies of peace to stop this critical
effort.
Jordan and Italy are also working together for other regional goals. Both our
nations are committed to security and normalization for Iraq, and in that
effort, Jordanians have deeply felt your nation’s noble sacrifices. We are also
cooperating in regional reform and development. It is critical to global peace
that the people of the Middle East, especially our young people, can share in
this century’s promise of freedom and prosperity. To this end, Jordan has worked
to establish an unprecedented model for regional reform and progress. We are
making structural changes to build democratic political life, entrench human
rights, and provide access to opportunity at every level of society. In the
economy, we have encouraged innovation, and strengthened the educational and
social infrastructure to promote development and growth. Italy has been a
priority trading partner, and we are grateful for your country’s sustained
support for development in our country and region. Italy has also played a
tremendously important role in the U.N. and the G-8, supporting international
assistance and debt relief for middle-income countries, like Jordan, which are
proving their will to move forward.
To achieve the positive global change that both our nations want, we must work
together. The partnership between Jordan and Italy reflects a friendship of
shared ideals as well as a common future. I believe that working together, we
can help achieve the peace and security that our nations, and all people, need
and deserve.