(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) US President Barack Obama has convened a meeting with American Muslim leaders "to discuss a range of domestic and foreign policy issues," notably cooperation on counterterrorism.
"The President discussed the need to continue countering ISIL and other groups that commit horrific acts of violence, purportedly in the name of Islam," the White House statement said, released late on Wednesday - alluding to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
"Noting the remarkable contributions of Muslim Americans to our country, the President also encouraged the participants to remain civically engaged in their communities, and told them that he looked forward to seeking additional opportunities to continue the discussion of these and other issues." Obama also "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," the statement continued.
"Among the topics of discussion were the community's efforts and partnerships with the Administration on a range of domestic issues such as the Affordable Care Act, issues of anti-Muslim violence and discrimination, the 21st Century Policing Task Force, and the upcoming White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism," the statement said.
That summit will be held on February 18, it was previously announced, and will aim "to highlight domestic and international efforts to prevent violent extremists and their supporters from radicalizing, recruiting, or inspiring individuals or groups in the United States and abroad to commit acts of violence," the White House affirmed.
At Wednesday's meeting, Obama pledged to Muslim leaders that he would be "safeguarding civil rights through hate crimes prosecutions and civil enforcement actions," the statement said. While the list of participants in the meeting was not released - leading to criticism from Conservative pundits and their followers on social media - Dean Obeidallah, a prominent Muslim-American comedian and writer for the online newsmagazine, The Daily Beast, confirmed his attendance via Twitter. He later wrote in his own story that "there has never been a meeting with leaders from around the country with Obama before this," and that the number of participants was kept to 15, in order to foster an intimate discussion.
Obeidallah explained that he was not at liberty to disclose the details from that discussion, but said the growing Islamophobic rhetoric and behaviour in the country was brought to the president's attention.
"It was clearly the number one issue raised," he wrote for The Daily Beast late Wednesday. "While I can't share the President's exact response, I can tell you that he expressed his strong commitment to our community to fight anti-Muslim bigotry," he continued. "I fully understand it's not easy problem to remedy. But it was very heartening to hear the President's passionate response."
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