Sadiq Khan: Trump's Positions Benefit Extremists

The new Mayor of London has rejected Donald Trump's statements, the potential Republican presidential candidate, regarding making exceptions for him as a Muslim, stating that his positions "benefit extremists." The Mayor of Paris has supported his counterpart. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has softened his stance, saying that the "ban" on Muslim entry is "just a suggestion." Following Sadiq Khan's victory in the London mayoral election, Trump stated that exceptions could be made for individuals like him to enter the U.S. This refers to his controversial remarks during the Republican primaries, where he called for a ban on all Muslims entering the U.S. after the San Bernardino attacks carried out by a Muslim extremist couple. The New York Times quoted Sadiq Khan on May 12, stating that Trump is "ignorant of Islam." He added, "ISIS and all those people are disgusted by the fact that I have been elected as Mayor of London. Why? Because it contradicts their claims that Western liberal values are incompatible with Islam." Sadiq Khan is British-born and comes from a Pakistani immigrant family that lived in poverty. A devout Muslim, he is now one of the most prominent figures in the Labour Party. While he has strongly criticized Trump, he does not hide his support for Hillary Clinton, the leading Democratic candidate, stating that her election as President of the U.S. would be a good role model for his two daughters. Sadiq Khan has also received support from another prominent European mayor, Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, who stated on May 11 alongside Sadiq Khan that people of all beliefs and religions, including Catholics and Muslims, oppose Trump's remarks. Khan has cited London and Paris, one with a Muslim mayor and the other with a female mayor, as real examples of diversity among people with different beliefs, both men and women. He believes these two cities can work together towards creating unity and solidarity among all citizens. Across the Atlantic, in the United States, Mr. Trump has also reacted again to recent statements. In an interview with Fox News, he stated that his remarks about banning Muslims from entering the U.S. are "just a suggestion." The New York billionaire said, "This is a temporary ban. It is not supposed to be implemented right now. No one has done it. It is just a suggestion until we understand what is happening." He added, "Radical Muslims are everywhere in the world. In Paris, in San Bernardino. If they want to reject such a thing, that is their choice. I am not going to ignore this issue." Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, told the New York Times that he is aware of the problem posed by radical Islam; "There is a problem. We are facing an issue with people who were born and raised in Western cities but have become radicalized and turned to extreme violence." According to the newly elected Mayor of London, more attention and effort are needed for different people to develop a "sense of ownership." He says actions must be taken, for example, to prevent the radicalization of prisoners in jails.