"The way we counter extremists like ISIS [IS] is through education, through town hall meetings, published literature and bringing in experts on internet and social media, so that that we can make parents, as well as young people aware of their tricks," Jammal told Sputnik on Friday.
According to Jammal, it is critical to ensure that young people understand that the radical groups they encounter online are not true religious movements. Young Muslims need to be taught that these are nothing more than "purely violent groups", USCMO secretary general stressed.
Asked about the numbers of Muslims being radicalized in the United States, Jammal said he does not believe that there are a lot of radical Islamists in the country who travel, or want to travel, to the Middle East to join groups like Islamic State.
"It's not epidemic, if you will. But one is too many. And we have to guard against any such attempts by such a group to recruit," the Muslim community leader said.
On February, 17-19 the White House held a summit on countering violent extremism which focused on radicalization, recruiting and what motivates individuals to commit violent acts, among other issues.
The USCMO is an umbrella group that includes a number of Muslim rights and community organizations, whose primary mission is to open effective communication and coordination spectrums between all American Muslim organizations.
Islamic State, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), is a radical Sunni group operating in Iraq and Syria. A US-led international coalition has been launching airstrikes against IS targets in both countries since September.
According to Russia's Federal Security Service, up to 20,000 citizens from some 100 countries are fighting on the side of the Islamic State in Iraq.
