US President Barack Obama has called on Muslim leaders to push back against “twisted interpretations of Islam.” He said the US-led coalition fighting
ADVERTISEMENTUS President Barack Obama has called on Muslim leaders to push back against “twisted interpretations of Islam.”
He said the US-led coalition fighting against ISIL would “not relent” in its mission to destroy the group.
Muslim communities, including scholars and clerics, therefore have a responsibility to push back not just on twisted interpretations of Islam, but also on the lie that we are somehow engaged in a clash of civilizations; that America and the West are somehow at war with Islam,” said Obama.
The US president was speaking at a White House conference on fighting violent extremism following recent deadly shootings in Copenhagen and Paris.
Opening day three of the meeting. US Secretary of State John Kerry said it is necessary to have tolerance and peace and respect for all religions.
Kerry said the US and its allies must employ the broadest possible strategy for countering violent extremists.
“Our challenge then, is not really one of marshalling facts, because the facts are wholly on our side, “ he said.
“Our task is encourage the most credible leaders and spokespersons to penetrate the barrier of terrorist lies and to do so over and over and over again.”