Bush Tells Mid East Leaders That Democracy Does Not Threaten Islam

President Bush yesterday spoke at the World Economic Forum, meeting in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. The New York Times characterized his speech to diplomats, policy makers and business executives as one that criticized Middle East leaders. It pressed them toward economic expansion, equal rights for women and democracy. In his remarks (full text) President Bush focused in part on the relationship of democracy to religious freedom:

There are people who claim that democracy is incompatible with Islam. But the truth is that democracies, by definition, make a place for people of religious belief. America is ... one of the world's leading democracies, and we're also one of the most religious nations in the world. More than three-quarters of our citizens believe in a higher power. Millions worship every week and pray every day. And they do so without fear of reprisal from the state. In our democracy, we would never punish a person for owning a Koran. We would never issue a death sentence to someone for converting to Islam. Democracy does not threaten Islam or any religion. Democracy is the only system of government that guarantees their protection.