ISIS News Today: Obama Calls for Calm in Fight Against Extremism

US President Barack Obama has called for calm and acceptance to all religions as his government took steps to counter the violent extremism propagated by groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS).

In a speech before representatives from 60 countries attending the three-day White House summit on extremism, the American leader said religious tolerance and acceptance are the best ways to counter ideologies being advocated by the ISIS.

Obama also encouraged Americans to make every person feel that they have a rightful place in society, no matter what his or her religion is.

"If extremists are peddling this notion that Western countries are hostile to Muslims, we need to show them that we are accepting of all folks," Obama said in his speech, as quote in an article posted on the Time Magazine website.

The US President also emphasized that the United States is "not at war with Islam," but against "the people who have perverted Islam."

He also urged Americans to avoid attributing violent extremism solely on Islam, saying that "no religion is responsible for violence and terrorism."

Obama then described the ISIS as "terrorists" who are "desperate for legitimacy."

"They try to portray themselves as religious leaders and holy warriors in defense of Islam … They propagate the notion that America — and the West generally — is at war with Islam. That's how they recruit." the US leader said.

"We have to confront, squarely and honestly, the twisted ideologies that these terrorist groups use to incite people to violence," he added, as quoted in a BBC report.

Obama earlier asked Congress to to formally authorize the use of military force against the ISIS.