Jordanian king calls for Muslim-Christian tolerance on Dutch visit

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Tuesday October 31, 2006

Amsterdam- Jordan's King Abdullah II urged Muslims and Christians to show tolerance and cooperation towards each other with the aim of creating an enriched European society in an address in the Amsterdam City Hall on Tuesday. The king, who is on a three-day visit to the Netherlands at the invitation of Queen Beatrix, called for greater cooperation between Western and Arab countries.

"Through cooperation we can create a future that is enriched with respect for our unique cultures and strengthened by our humanity," he said, calling on Muslims in Europe to explain what Islam stood for.

Muslims did not need to surrender their identity to be good citizens of European countries, Abdullah said. All violence in the name of religion should be deplored, he said.

"Tolerance, brotherhood and humanity are values that are shared by diverse cultures and religions all over the world," said the king, who is seen in the Netherlands as a modernizing and moderate influence in the Arab world.

The speech on the theme of peace and understanding between different nations was seen as the most significant of the five addresses being given by the king during the trip, which ends Wednesday evening.

Earlier Abdullah, accompanied by Queen Rania, laid a wreath at the National Monument on Dam Square in central Amsterdam in the presence of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.

He was attending a session of the International Court of Justice in The Hague later in the day before meeting judges and diplomats.

Beatrix is accompanying Abdullah personally on most of his schedule, which on Wednesday takes him to the province of Flevoland.

Abdullah is accompanied by Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, the speakers of the two houses of parliament, Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib and Finance Minister Ziyad Fariz.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency