A day after a self-proclaimed jihadist carried out the latest terrorist attack in New York City, more than three hundred Muslim and Interfaith leaders have published a new report, WISE Up: Knowledge Ends Extremism, to combat terrorism. They are requesting a sit-down, face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump and House and Senate leadership.
The effort comes on the heels of last weekend’s WISE Up Summit held in Washington, DC where Muslim and interfaith leaders outlined steps to end all forms of extremism, from terrorism to Islamophobia. Coming out of the summit was a report edited by Daisy Khan, Executive Director of Women’s Islamic Initiative for Spirituality and Equality and authored by 72 noted scholars and experts to campaign against extremism, hate crimes, Islamophobia, and terrorism committed in the name of Islam.
WISE Up, is a multi-faceted campaign to prevent the spread of extremist ideology and hate crimes in America. At its core, they uses knowledge as the most powerful tool against all forms of extremism and centers around a 375-page research and evidence-based report authored by 72 faith leaders, and public servants. In this resource, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, other faith, and political experts have provided their expertise on practical ways to counter extremism, hate crimes, Islamophobia, and terrorism committed in the name of Islam by groups like ISIS.
The report makes it clear that Islam is an American religion, Islam and Muslims do not present a threat to America, and all Americans can help confront and prevent extremism/ terrorism, which is a threat to us all.
The three sections of WISE Up report include:
1. Voices of American Muslims
Provides a snapshot of American Muslim life by highlighting American Muslims’ engagement in public life, which aligns with the foundational American ethos; the challenges they confront as American citizens; and creative ways that they deal with these problems. It also highlights 30 notable Muslims who enrich America.
2. Islamic Theology vs. Extremist Ideology
Showcases the history of Islam, its core values, practices, and beliefs, and provides a clear comparison between true Islamic teachings with ISIS’s false dogma. WISE Up answers the most pressing and topical issues, i.e., how Islamic terms like Allegiance, Martyrdom, Caliphate, Jihad, are being corrupted to mobilize and utilize as propaganda to mislead vulnerable individuals.
3. Preventing Extremist Recruitment
The campaign details the eight push and pulls factors that drive individuals to join a terrorist group. It delineates the sixteen steps of recruitment which ISIS use online and provides preventative tools that focus on strengthening individuals and families, a parents’ and counselors’ guide, bystander intervention, bullying and countering hate speech;
More than 100 mosques and 50 Interfaith Centers have endorsed the WISE Up campaign, whose three-pronged mission is to spread awareness of how every American can help confront and prevent extremism which is a threat to us all.
Find below a video describing the WISE Up campaign:
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