- Urges helping Muslim youth to develop social media tools to counter extremist narratives on Internet
United States President Barack Obama defended the “true peaceful nature of Islam” on Wednesday, saying that terrorist groups like Islamic State (IS) promote a “twisted interpretation of religion that is rejected by the overwhelming majority of the world’s Muslims.”
“The world must continue to lift up the voices of Muslim clerics and scholars who teach the true peaceful nature of Islam,” Obama wrote in an op-ed published in the Los Angeles Times, ahead of a speech later at a White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism, in which community leaders from across the country gathered to discuss ways for protecting people from “extremist ideologies”.
“We can echo the testimonies of former extremists who know how terrorists betray Islam. We can help Muslim entrepreneurs and youths work with the private sector to develop social media tools to counter extremist narratives on the Internet.”
“This week, we’ll be joined by people of many faiths, including Muslim Americans who make extraordinary contributions to our country every day,” he added.
“It’s a reminder that America is successful because we welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds. Our campaign to prevent people around the world from being radicalised to violence is ultimately a battle for hearts and minds,” Obama said.
“With this week’s summit, we’ll show once more that — unlike terrorists who only offer misery and death — it is our free societies and diverse communities that offer the true path to opportunity, justice and dignity.”
When describing the cold-blooded murder of three young Muslim students near the University of North Carolina last week, Obama explained that Americans of all religions must “insist that no one should ever be targeted because of who they are, what they look like, or how they worship.”
In his op-ed, Obama said “we do not yet know why” the students were killed. “We know that many Muslim Americans across our country are worried and afraid. Americans of all faiths and backgrounds must continue to stand united with a community in mourning,” Obama wrote.