Director of Freemuslim’s Center for De-Radicalization & Extremism Prevention ( CDREP ) , Mujtaba Akhwand, attended an event titled After the caliphate: A global approach to defeating ISIS hosted by the Brookings Institute. Throughout this interactive dialogue, Ambassador Nathan Sales, Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism – U.S. Department of State emphasized on key steps to combat the Un-Islamic State internationally.
Ambassador Sales elaborated on four important approaches in tackling the extremism here in United States, or abroad:
1. Prosecuting Leaders and Financers of extremist groups
2. Harden entry points to the United States, and travel routes
3. Cut off the money link between terrorist affiliates and their donors
4. Social Media Counter messaging and reduction of recruitment opportunities
Director of Freemuslim’s CDREP asked Ambassador Sales about methods we can engage the Muslim community in combatting extremism and reduction of recruitment. Mr. Akhwand emphasized it is important to get the Islamic society involved in tackling the Wahabi and Salafi narrative which is responsible for the beheading and mass killings. Muslims are the number one target of ISIS, and it is important to emphasize the true narrative of Islam, which is a peaceful aspect.
