President Barack Obama insisted Thursday that Islamist terrorist groups committing atrocities from the Middle East to Africa to Europe do not represent Islam, calling the idea that the West is at war with Islam "an ugly lie."
The president addressed delegates from more than 60 countries at the closing session of a summit on "Countering Violent Extremism," hosted by the U.S. State Department in Washington.
Obama said the nations gathered "must remain unwavering in our fight against terrorist organizations."
In one part of the address, the president appeared to be responding to administration critics, who have pointed out that the White House refuses to use the term "Islamic" when referring to terrorist groups such as al Qaeda, ISIS, and Boko Haram, who are committing atrocities against Jews, Christians, and other non-Muslims.
"Obviously, there is a complicated history between the Middle East and the West, and none of us, I think, should be immune from criticism in terms of specific policies. But the notion that the West is at war with Islam is an ugly lie -- and all of us, regardless of our faith, have a responsibility to reject it," he cautioned.
On Wednesday, the president explained he doesn't want to mention Islam when talking about terrorism because it would give Islamic radicals a tool they can use to recruit new fighters.
"We must acknowledge that groups like al Qaeda and (ISIS) are deliberately targeting their propaganda to Muslim communities, particularly Muslim youth," he said.
What can be done to be more effective in the fight against Islamic terrorism? Cliff May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, offers more insight to the president’s summit speech
But even the president refused to admit any connection between the Islamic State terrorists and Islam, he said we need to "tackle" the issue head on.
"We can't shy away from these discussions. And too often folks are understandably sensitive about addressing some of these root issues, but we have to talk about them, honestly and clearly," Obama said.
But critics are mocking the president and his administration for not using phrases like "Islamic terrorism." Thursday's New York Post shows a picture of the president blindfolded with the caption "Islamic Terror? I Just Don't See It."
Obama said the nations gathered "must remain unwavering in our fight against terrorist organizations."
In one part of the address, the president appeared to be responding to administration critics, who have pointed out that the White House refuses to use the term "Islamic" when referring to terrorist groups such as al Qaeda, ISIS, and Boko Haram, who are committing atrocities against Jews, Christians, and other non-Muslims.
"Obviously, there is a complicated history between the Middle East and the West, and none of us, I think, should be immune from criticism in terms of specific policies. But the notion that the West is at war with Islam is an ugly lie -- and all of us, regardless of our faith, have a responsibility to reject it," he cautioned.
On Wednesday, the president explained he doesn't want to mention Islam when talking about terrorism because it would give Islamic radicals a tool they can use to recruit new fighters.
"We must acknowledge that groups like al Qaeda and (ISIS) are deliberately targeting their propaganda to Muslim communities, particularly Muslim youth," he said.
What can be done to be more effective in the fight against Islamic terrorism? Cliff May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, offers more insight to the president’s summit speech
But even the president refused to admit any connection between the Islamic State terrorists and Islam, he said we need to "tackle" the issue head on.
"We can't shy away from these discussions. And too often folks are understandably sensitive about addressing some of these root issues, but we have to talk about them, honestly and clearly," Obama said.
But critics are mocking the president and his administration for not using phrases like "Islamic terrorism." Thursday's New York Post shows a picture of the president blindfolded with the caption "Islamic Terror? I Just Don't See It."
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