Kerby Anderson

Ten days ago, President Trump delivered an important speech at the Arab Islamic American Summit. Speaking before 50 Muslim leaders, he talked about terrorism and the Middle East. In fact, he mentioned the words “terror” or “terrorism” thirty times. That is a contrast from previous U.S. administrations. There were the obvious announcements about a Saudi–funded defense package and the opening of a new Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. But the president had much more to say than the obligatory announcements of partnerships. He said that, “Young Muslim boys and girls should be able to grow up free from fear, safe from violence, and innocent of hatred. And young Muslim men and women should have the chance to build a new era of prosperity for themselves and their peoples.” He also reminded them that the greatest threat to a Muslim was another Muslim. He cited one estimate “that more than 95 percent of the victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim.” He also put Hamas and Hezbollah in the same category as ISIS and Al-Qaeda. His greatest focus was on Iran, which is a government that gives terrorists “safe harbor, financial backing, and the social standing needed for recruitment.” Moreover, “Iran funds, arms, and trains terrorists, militias, and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region.” His solution is to drive terrorists and extremists out of places of worship, out of communities, and out of the land. In additional to denying them control of territory and populations, he also called for them to strip terrorists of their access to funding by cutting them off from financial channels. Now that the president’s trip to the Middle East is just a memory, it is worth remembering how President Trump stood before these Arab leaders and called for them to fight against Muslim terrorists.