USA Press Release

The issue of Islamic extremism has proved to be a pressing issue in contemporary society, as the recent events in Munich and the escalating situation in the French city of Carcassonne have illustrated. With regards to the Syrian refugees, it is essential to accommodate those people who seek to integrate into the societies they enter into and provide equal opportunities to allow them to make positive contributions in society. However, attempts to coerce State authorities to impose Sharia law in the region or threats to individuals to convert their religious beliefs will not be tolerated by the United States. The United States acknowledges that Islam is at its core a peaceful religion, however the radical actions of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and connected organisations are condemnable in violating inalienable human rights in the region. It is in this sense that long term coordinated responses are made to counter terrorist activities at all levels and ensure that civilians and civilian objects are safeguarded from direct attacks designed to incite fear. The United States hopes that a multilateral agreement about how to combat this threat both domestically and abroad may be reached and that talks will be arranged soon.