The images from Iraq are agonizing. Families fleeing extremists in terror, piles of lifeless men in mass graves, teenagers rushing to join militias. And now the US says it could approve military strikes. For Iraqis, it’s a nightmare that won’t end -- for the rest of us it’s a desperate moment to engage, wisely.

Iraq’s crisis threatens to engulf the entire Middle East and spread beyond. And only the leaders of Iran and Saudi Arabia can truly defuse this madness. Powerful rivals and patrons of the region’s Shia and Sunni communities, they have used dangerous sectarian appeals to gain power. But if King Abdullah and President Rouhani meet for a Ramadan meal, speak out against the terror and initiate genuine regional dialogue, they could send a powerful message of tolerance to the divided communities.

It may sound like a long-shot, but it’s our best chance -- they have more incentive than ever to stop a region-wide war as both now fear this violent extremism could challenge their hegemony and threaten regional economies. Ramadan is coming in days. Sign the call to the two leaders -- if enough of us join, we’ll work with leading clerics to push Rouhani and Abdullah to use this spiritual time to serve the cause of peace.