CAIRO – In a special meeting at the White House, US President Barack Obama met with leaders of the American Muslim community to discuss efforts to counter extremism, along with other domestic and foreign policy issues.
"The president thanked the participants for their work in a variety of fields and for coming together to offer views on issues of importance to their communities, noting that his regular interactions with different faith communities provided him with valuable insights and feedback," read the statement.
The president stressed the need to continue countering the so-called Islamic State (ISIL) "and other groups that commit horrific acts of violence, purportedly in the name of Islam," according to a statement from the White House.
The meeting saw discussions for a range of domestic issues such as Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare and rising anti-Muslim violence.
The president said he wants to strengthen community policing and trust among law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.
"The president reiterated his administration's commitment to safeguarding civil rights through hate crimes prosecutions and civil enforcement actions," said the statement.
He also encouraged the Muslim-American leaders "to remain civically engaged in their communities."
The meeting came one day after ISIL’s release of a new video showing the Jordanian pilot Mouath al-Kasaesbeh being burnt alive, the act widely condemned by world leaders and Muslim groups.
He also discussed the upcoming February 18 White House summit on countering violent extremism.
The summit, according to the White House, will discuss international and domestic efforts to prevent extremism and radicalization.
The United States is home to a Muslim minority of between six to eight million.
A recent survey found that American Muslims are the most moderate around the world.
It also showed that US Muslims generally express strong commitment to their faith and tend not to see an inherent conflict between being devout and living in a modern society.
New Indian Express
