“Terrorist organizations overseas have targeted your communities. They seek to pull your youth into the pit of violent extremism. Help us to help you stop this,” he said.

Since the deadly Nov. 13 attacks by Islamic State followers in Paris and last week’s California shootings, there has been a clear call from American officials for Muslims to help police themselves.

Three days after the Paris attacks, Obama urged Muslims around the world to ask “very serious questions” about how extremist ideologies take root and protect children from the idea that killing can be justified by religion.

“To some degree, that is something that has to come from within the Muslim community itself,” Obama said at a news conference in Antalya, Turkey, after the G20 summit. “I think there have been times where there has not been enough pushback against extremism.”