President Obama Wednesday met with Saudi King Abdullah, saying he was seeking “his majesty’s counsel” in helping bridge understanding between the United States and Muslims of the Arab world.

Obama, the son of a Muslim from Kenya, is planning to deliver a “truth-telling” address aimed at the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims.

It’s no secret that many in the Muslim world despise the United States and its principles, largely because of America’s unwavering support for Israel. But Obama has promised to work toward broad peace in the region, and in recent days he has even rankled Israelis by suggesting that a peaceful future in Israel must include a separate Palestinian state.

"I thought it was very important to come to the place where Islam began and to seek his majesty's counsel," Obama said Wednesday at Abdullah's spacious estate in desert. The king described Obama as "a distinguished man who deserves to be in this position."

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam, and Abdullah’s homeland contains the holy cities of Medina and Mecca. It also contains the world's largest oil reserves and has proved a major ally to the United States, who supplies it with billions in U.S. military equipment. Even before 9/11, Arabia has cooperated with the United States’ anti-terrorism efforts.

Obama’s goal, to begin a new chapter in history between the United States and the Arab world, could hardly happen without the support of Saudi Arabia.