Newly elected London mayor Sadiq Khan takes aim at ‘ignorant’ Donald Trump’s proposed Muslim ban

Sadiq Khan has rebuffed Donald Trump’s suggestion that the new mayor of London could be an exception to his proposed policy to ban all Muslims from coming to the United States.

Khan, the capital’s first Muslim mayor, said the Republican presidential candidate’s call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US was something that directly affected those closest to him, and said making an exception for him was not the answer.

“This isn’t just about me – it’s about my friends, my family and everyone who comes from a background similar to mine, anywhere in the world,” Khan said.

“Donald Trump’s ignorant view of Islam could make both our countries less safe – it risks alienating mainstream Muslims around the world and plays into the hands of the extremists. Donald Trump and those around him think that western liberal values are incompatible with mainstream Islam – London has proved him wrong.”

Trump told The New York Times on Monday that he was happy to see Khan elected as mayor of London last week.

“There will always be exceptions,” he said of his proposed temporary ban on Muslims.

Of Khan’s election, he said: “I think it’s a very good thing, and I hope he does a very good job because frankly that would be very, very good. Because I think if he does a great job, it will really — you lead by example, always lead by example. If he does a good job and frankly if he does a great job, that would be a terrific thing.”