Donald Trump’s Travel Ban Demand Offends Muslims in Jamaica
Earlier this week, Donald Trump, the current Republican presidential candidate front-runner in the United States asked for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on”.
His demand has triggered outrage from Muslims in Jamaica and across the world.
Trump stated: “Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life.”
His controversial request came after a deadly mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, by a Muslim couple who were suspected ISIS sympathisers. The attack left 14 persons dead and 21 injured.
According to the Gleaner, the Islamic Council of Jamaica (ICOJ) has described Mr Trump’s words as nonsense, completely unfair and offensive.
“It is completely unfair for anyone to paint all Muslims as the same. And it is even more unfortunate that such a statement would come from someone seeking to hold one of the highest offices in the world – that of the president of the United States,” ICOJ President Mustafa Muhammad said yesterday.
“In fact, of the approximately 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, less than one per cent have hostile thoughts. And of that low percentage, only a handful actually carry out violent acts. The reality is that the majority of Muslims are law-abiding citizens who go about their business like everyone else and lead ordinary lives.”
“It took everyone aback, and every well-thinking person has condemned his statement, calling it completely unfair that he would choose to paint everyone with the same brush”, he also stated.
Source: The Gleaner