The next step in our fight against violent extremism

The US has made significant gains against terrorism. We have decimated the core Al Qaida leadership, strengthened homeland security and worked to prevent another large-scale attack like 9/11.

At the same time, the threat has evolved. The Al Qaida affiliate in Yemen actively plots against us. Since 9/11, terrorists have murdered US citizens overseas, including in the attacks in Benghazi, Libya. In the US, Americans have been killed at Ft. Hood and during the Boston Marathon.

In Syria and Iraq, the terrorist group Daesh (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) has slaughtered innocent civilians and murdered hostages, including Americans, and has spread its barbarism to Libya with the murder of Egyptian Christians. In recent months, we have seen deadly attacks in Ottawa, Sydney, Paris and Copenhagen.

Elsewhere, the Pakistan Taliban massacred more than 100 school children and their teachers. From Somalia, Al Shabab has launched attacks across East Africa. In Nigeria and neighbouring countries, Boko Haram kills and kidnaps men, women and children.

In the face of this challenge, we must stand united internationally and in America. We know that military force alone cannot solve this problem. Nor can we simply take out terrorists who kill innocent civilians. We also have to confront the violent extremists — the propagandists, recruiters and enablers — who may not directly engage in terrorist acts themselves, but who radicalise, recruit and incite others to do so.

Last week, we took an important step forward as governments, civil society groups and community leaders from more than 60 nations gathered in Washington for a global summit on countering violent extremism. Our focus was on empowering local communities.

Lift up the voices

Groups like Al Qaida and Daesh 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. 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.

We know from experience that the best way to protect people, especially young people, from falling into the grip of violent extremists is the support of their family, friends, teachers and faith leaders. At last week’s summit, community leaders from Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Boston highlighted innovative partnerships in their cities that are helping empower communities to protect their loved ones from extremist ideologies.

More broadly, groups like Al Qaida and Daesh exploit the anger that festers when people feel that injustice and corruption leave them with no chance of improving their lives. The world has to offer today’s youth something better.

Governments that deny human rights play into the hands of extremists who claim that violence is the only way to achieve change. Efforts to counter violent extremism will only succeed if citizens can address legitimate grievances through the democratic process and express themselves through strong civil societies. Those efforts must be matched by economic, educational and entrepreneurial development so people have hope for a life of dignity.

Finally, with Al Qaida and Daesh peddling the lie that the US is at war with Islam — all of us have a role to play by upholding the pluralistic values that define us as Americans. Last week, we were joined by people of many faiths, including Muslim Americans who make extraordinary contributions to our country every day. It is a reminder that America is successful because we welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Brutal killing

That pluralism has at times been threatened by hateful ideologies and individuals from various religions. We have seen tragic killings at a Sikh gurdwara in Wisconsin in 2012 and at a Jewish community centre in Kansas last year. We do not yet know why three young people, who were Muslim Americans, were brutally killed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. But 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 and insist that no one should ever be targeted because of who they are, what they look like or how they worship.

Our campaign to prevent people around the world from being radicalised to violence is ultimately a battle for hearts and minds. With last week’s summit, we will 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.

— Los Angeles Times