Rice says values of islam, democracy, human rights mutually reinforcing

U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said Islam is a great faith that inspires people to lead lives based on honesty, justice and compassion and reinforces the values of democracy and human rights.

Rice made her statement at an Iftaar dinner in Washington December 4 hosted by a group called Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights. The group is founded by Azizah al-Hibri. Karamah is a charitable and educational organization that focuses on domestic and global human rights issues for Muslims.

"Karamah is doing the valuable work of helping others to better understand that Islam is a great faith that inspires people to lead lives based on honesty, justice and compassion. Your work demonstrates that living the Islamic faith and striving for democracy and human rights are not only fully compatible, they are mutually reinforcing," Rice said.

Rice reaffirmed President Bush's "nonnegotiable demands of human dignity," in which all human beings desire "the rule of law, free speech, equal justice, limits on the power of the state, respect for women and religious tolerance."

Rice made a special appeal for efforts to build a world "where all women and all girls, from Kansas to Kandahar, can pursue their dreams and live up to their potential."

The national security adviser said "No one should be treated unkindly because of the color of their skin or the content of their creed. No one should be unfairly judged by appearance or ethnic background or religious faith. No religious faith should be held and slandered." Rice said "And as we defend the deepest principles that we hold against terror and tyranny, we must live up to those principles ourselves."