Jordanian King Urges Tolerance, Rejection of Islamic Extremists

Jordan's King Abdullah has called on Muslims around the world to embrace tolerance of all faiths and reject Islamic extremists.

In a letter marking the end of the Muslim holy month Ramadan printed in Saturday's Washington Post, the leader of the Hashemite kingdom said that the true voice of Islam is not one that Americans always hear.

King Abdullah also said it is wrong to label those who promote hatred in the name of Allah as Islamic fundamentalists. He said the fundamental message of Islam is to live and work for justice and promote tolerance.

The Jordanian monarch said religious totalitarians who carry out and defend acts of intimidation and violence are practicing power politics, not faith. He also said violent acts do not constitute "jihad," or holy war, because the Prophet Muhammad taught that the greater struggle was against one's own ego and shortcomings.

King Abdullah also pointed out that Islamic extremists are only a tiny minority of the world's 1.2 billion Muslims. He also urged Muslims to express their outrage over those who would exploit the religion to sanction the killing of innocents.