In Saudi Arabia for his first foreign trip as president, President Trump delivered a speech on Islamic extremism and the need for the world to unite against and eradicate it. Trump urged the Muslim-majority countries to “take the lead in combating radicalization” and to expel Islamist extremists from their places of worship, communities, holy lands, and the planet.
Some highlights from the full text of President Trump’s speech.
“I stand before you as a representative of the American People, to deliver a message of friendship and hope. That is why I chose to make my first foreign visit a trip to the heart of the Muslim world, to the nation that serves as custodian of the two holiest sites in the Islamic Faith.””Our vision is one of peace, security, and prosperity—in this region, and in the world.Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God.”“Later today, we will make history again with the opening of a new Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology – located right here, in this central part of the Islamic World.This groundbreaking new center represents a clear declaration that Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in combatting [sic] radicalization, and I want to express our gratitude to King Salman for this strong demonstration of leadership.”
“Some estimates hold that more than 95 percent of the victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim.We now face a humanitarian and security disaster in this region that is spreading across the planet. It is a tragedy of epic proportions. No description of the suffering and depravity can begin to capture its full measure.The true toll of ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and so many others, must be counted not only in the number of dead. It must also be counted in generations of vanished dreams.The Middle East is rich with natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and massive amounts of historic treasures. It should increasingly become one of the great global centers of commerce and opportunity.This region should not be a place from which refugees flee, but to which newcomers flock.”
“If we do not stand in uniform condemnation of this killing—then not only will we be judged by our people, not only will we be judged by history, but we will be judged by God.This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations.This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it.This is a battle between Good and Evil.”
“America is prepared to stand with you – in pursuit of shared interests and common security.But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries, and for their children.It is a choice between two futures – and it is a choice America CANNOT make for you.A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. Drive. Them. Out.DRIVE THEM OUT of your places of worship.DRIVE THEM OUT of your communities.DRIVE THEM OUT of your holy land, andDRIVE THEM OUT OF THIS EARTH.” [emphasis in original]
“Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden, if we are going to defeat terrorism and send its wicked ideology into oblivion.The first task in this joint effort is for your nations to deny all territory to the foot soldiers of evil. Every country in the region has an absolute duty to ensure that terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil.”
“That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires. And it means standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory – piety to evil will bring you no dignity. If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and YOUR SOUL WILL BE CONDEMNED.” [emphasis in original]
“Starving terrorists of their territory, their funding, and the false allure of their craven ideology, will be the basis for defeating them.But no discussion of stamping out this threat would be complete without mentioning the government that gives terrorists all three—safe harbor, financial backing, and the social standing needed for recruitment. It is a regime that is responsible for so much instability in the region. I am speaking of course of Iran.”
Watch the entire speech:
Twitter, of course, is abuzz with reactions.
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