I am convinced that King Abdullah's wisdom applies not only to democratic and economic reform in general but more specifically - and perhaps even more aptly - to putting down insurrection, dampening the flames of civil war and organizing a representative government in Iraq virtually from scratch. As the June 30 deadline for returning sovereignty to the Iraqi people approaches, I hope the administration will work closely with other Arab leaders such as King Abdullah and other young leaders in the region as they seek to nurture a new Iraqi government onto its feet.

Islamic civilization made great contributions to science, medicine, architecture and the arts in centuries past, and those contributions occurred when it showed the most tolerance toward religious minorities. It is, therefore, not surprising that Jordan and Egypt, two of the most tolerant Muslim nations, are leading the way toward Arab reform and revival in the 21st century under leaders like King Abdullah and the Mubarak government. Tolerance and liberty are the interlocking pillars of a free society.
Liberty means having the freedom to think and advocate anything you desire and to live your life any way you want, so long as doing so does not encroach on other people's freedom to do the same.

The 21st century can usher in an Islamic renaissance. By erasing the tolerance deficit and showing respect for other religions, Arab democracy and economic development can bloom, freedom can flourish and the full potential of the Arab people can be unleashed to close the development gap with the rest of the world. As Iraqis regain the reigns of sovereignty, they will look to Arab examples for how to build a free and prosperous society. They couldn't do better than heed the words of King Abdullah and apply the work of Hernando de Soto.