"Well, I am glad that they retracted it, but I think it's really important for America to be able to get over to people in the Middle East what we are really like, and that freedom of religion and respect for other people's religion is a very, very important part of our country, in the history of our country," Bush said.

The first lady added that she thought Newsweek could "let people know that it was a mistake, try to get the word out" that the story was false.

More visible during the president's second term, advocating her favorite causes, including education, literacy and encouraging young people to go into teaching, the first lady is delivering an address to the World Economic Forum in Jordan this weekend.

She said she will speak on women's issues and that freedom and democracy "demand the participation of everybody, men and women."

"The real purpose of the speech is to talk about how women want the same things that men do, they want to have a place in society, they want to be able to be educated, they want to make sure their children are educated. They want to be advocates for their children and their families," she said.

Editor's note:
Attention, women! Dr. Laura tells how to use "Woman Power" – Go Here Now
GI Jane Is at War – Find Out the Truth About Females in Combat – Go Here Now