Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania opened up a dialogue on the essence of Islam with students of Islamic, Christian and Jewish faiths at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in Washington, DC. The academy's students expressed appreciation of the King's efforts in continuing the inter-faith dialogue and praised his efforts to achieve international peace.



Their Majesties' dialogue brought together students from Banneker High School, the International Saudi Academy, the Hebrew Academy and Cardozo Senior High School and asserted the principles of peace, forgiveness and coexistence among people of all nations and faiths.



The students, who came from various social backgrounds, discussed with the King their observations of international affairs. Responding to a question on Jordan's role in achieving peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis, the King said that Jordan and the international community, especially the Middle East Quartet, supports both parties in order to move the peace process forward.



The King said Israel's withdrawal from Gaza was as an important step that enhances the opportunities to achieve peace and secure a better future for the peoples of the region. The King elaborated on Jordan's reform and development efforts, especially in the fields of education and women's empowerment women, and Jordan's achievements in these areas.



When students enquired about the situation in Iraq, King Abdullah said that maintaining Iraq's unity and stability should be a paramount objective of the international community.



Her Majesty Queen Rania emphasized the importance of the dialogue of youth on the basis of humanitarian values to enhance dialogue and tolerance.