Trump: We must honestly confront crisis of Islamist extremism

DEBKAfile was founded by a team of journalists in June 2000 as an independent Internet Web site, providing an intelligence and security news service. May 21, 2017, 6:05 PM (IDT)

In his much-awaited speech on Islam, President Donald Trump called from Riyadh Sunday on more than 60 Arab and other Muslim rulers who arrived to meet him to “honestly confront the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires.”

“And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians. Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear:  Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God.

“Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person, and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith. This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations.

“This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it.

“But we can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong – and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfills their part of the burden. This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations. This is a battle between good and evil.”

 He commended the Saudi consent to establish in Jeddah a global center for combating extremist ideology and announced an agreement for the founding of a center for denying funding sources to terrorist organizations.

“Terrorism has spread across the world.  But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land. America is prepared to stand with you. But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them.  The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves.

“Our friends will never question our support, and our enemies will never doubt our determination. Our partnerships will advance security through stability, not through radical disruption.  And, wherever possible, we will seek gradual reforms – not sudden intervention.”

We pray that this special gathering may someday be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East.” He added: “If the three Abrahamic faiths can combine in peace, peace is possible between Israel and the Palestinians.”

From Lebanon, to Iraq to Yemen, Iran trains militias and other extremists that spread destruction and death across the region.  All nations must work together to isolate its regime.

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