NYC Muslims launch campaign to denounce extremism

Rasa - Muslims in New York City are launching a campaign to denounce violent extremism, beginning with coordinated sermons at mosques this Friday and a robust push on social media, according to a statement from the Islamic Leadership Council.

News ID: 1387

Date: 14 October 2014 - 16:48

RNA - The council's president, Imam Al-Hajj Talib Abdur-Rashid, told Capital in an interview Monday the public awareness campaign is, in part, a response to the increasing attention Muslim terrorists are receiving in the media.

“Every day, when you turn on the news ... we have this imagery—and it’s not just about ISIS. We’re not going to be responding to every new group that pops up every other week, that’s not what this is. … In the Muslim community, we’re greatly concerned that the truth of what our religion permits—and doesn’t permit—be disseminated. That’s what this initiative is about.”

Abdur-Rashid said this is the first time he can recall that mosques throughout New York City will deliver a coordinated message.

“We think this is new,” he said. “There have been a lot of efforts in the past, but they haven’t necessarily been coordinated, and in this instance, we’re trying to take a page from other faith groups here in the U.S. and begin to coordinate a sort of constructive, positive, moderate messaging that needs to go out.”

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