Whether this thought will ever find a home in the majority of Arab minds is a work in progress. Today there are literally thousands of Arab and Muslim intellectuals who are totally comfortable with Voltaire's words -- who live his aspirations every day of their lives.
It is going to be largely up to these men and women to adopt this cornerstone of free speech. It's difficult to see how George W. Bush's "Democracy-Building" programs could make a substantial contribution.
But whoever takes it on can be certain that it won't happen quickly and without pain.
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