The American ideal and Donald Trump

DONALD Trump, one of the several Republican party candidates vying for the next US presidency, is in trouble. He callously declared that no Muslims should be allowed to travel to the USA until the US elected representative can decide what needs to be done to contain the killings of American citizens in future. His announcement came after a Muslim couple had gunned down several US citizens in San Bernando in California recently. He has of course added that Muslims who live and work in the US should not be disturbed and be allowed to go about their business. Unfortunately, this announcement has created mixed feelings among the citizens of his country. It has not only created misgivings in the Muslim community worldwide, but has alienated several of the country's allies in the war against terrorism.

Trump has business and property interests across the Middle East; many of his clients there have not only condemned his statements but have also distanced themselves professionally. His insistence on attacking Muslims worldwide is thus bewildering.

4In any case, Donald Trump is performing well with many of his close supporters. They have shown their fondness for his 'strong stand' and wish him well. His utterances have gained momentum among certain groups, who are in a state of terror or confusion following the sudden attacks by militants. For the moment, he seems encouraged, and is likely to play a greater role in discouraging Muslims from travelling to the US.

Donald Trump is undoubtedly making a huge mistake by blaming all Muslims. He is, in effect, spreading canard against Muslims who are going about their own business or who intend to do so. But Donald Trump intends to score some easy points against other Republican contenders of the US presidency. Islam has always been a religion of peace. Its true adherents do not engage in killings of other humans. It is only those who misunderstand Islam who vilify it.

The US has always been a country with a proven track record of equal opportunities for all, irrespective of caste, colour, creed and religion. It has always been proactive not only in protecting the rights of all men and women throughout the world. But then why are some of its prominent citizens picking on people adhering to certain religions or beliefs? Generalising a certain religion or persuasion is not only wrong, it could also seriously damage the reputation and goodwill of free-thinking citizens of the US. It would stand out as a bad example before the world.
Historically, the US has welcomed people of all nationalities who've been politically persecuted or socially excluded in their own countries. It has always helped the downtrodden, the outcast and the forgotten. The Statue of Liberty in New York is a symbol that reminds the world that the US has opened its arms to the best and the worst of human beings to allow them a chance to shape a good future for themselves. The founding fathers of the US had also embraced people of all faith, including Islam, into their country.

The US has geographically been an insular country. With oceans on either side of North America, the US could remain out of the fray which has continuously plagued the citizens of Europe, Africa and Asia. The September 2011 attack and the recent killings in California prove, however, that the insularity of the US is no longer a permanent feature. Just as the US can pluck the best fruits from around the world, it can also be submerged in the quagmire of religious radicalism and animosity that prevails elsewhere in the world. However, if US leaders stoop as low as Donald Trump has, the US will fail to live up to its own standards, failing to be a torch bearer of equity and universal opportunities around the world.

Donald Trump does not by any means represent the sentiments of the majority of the American population. By deliberately pointing fingers at people of a particular religion, he is trying to destroy the well-deserved reputation of a great country. Donald needs to be stopped. The American people can do this by not giving him even the chance to be elected as the next president of the USA.  

The writer is a former Ambassador and a columnist of The Daily Star.  
Email : ashfaque303@gmail.com