Former US President Donald Trump criticized London Mayor Sadiq Khan during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, calling him a “terrible, terrible mayor” and controversially linking London to Sharia law. Trump stated, “I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor. It’s been so changed, so changed that they want to go to Sharia law, but you’re in a different country. You can’t do that.”
Khan’s spokesperson swiftly condemned Trump’s remarks, describing them as “appalling and bigoted.” The spokesperson said, “We are not going to dignify [Trump’s] appalling and bigoted comments with a response. London is the greatest city in the world, safer than major US cities, and we’re delighted to welcome the record number of US citizens moving here.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting also responded on social media, stating: “@SadiqKhan is not trying to impose sharia law on London. This is a mayor who marches with Pride, who stands up for difference of background and opinion, who’s focused on improving our transport, our air, our streets, our safety, our choices and chances.”
For context, Sharia law is based on the Islamic holy book, the Quran, and the life of the Prophet Mohammed. It refers to a set of principles governing the moral and religious lives of Muslims on matters such as prayers, finance, and divorce.
Sadiq Khan made history in 2016 by becoming the first Muslim mayor of a Western capital city. He is also known as a strong critic of Donald Trump. Notably, during Trump’s first presidential visit to the United Kingdom in 2016, Khan gave permission for protesters to fly a 20-foot-tall “Trump baby” balloon over London.
During a recent visit to the UK, Trump further criticized Khan, calling him “among the worst mayors in the world” and claimed that crimes were “through the roof” in London. When asked why Khan was not present at the state banquet hosted in Trump’s honor in the UK, Trump replied, “I didn’t want him there, I asked for him not to be there, I don’t want that. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, wasn’t welcomed, and he did not attend. It was requested that he not attend.”
The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between Trump and Khan, reflecting broader political and cultural divides.
https://www.news18.com/world/appalling-and-bigoted-london-mayor-sadiq-khan-reacts-to-trumps-sharia-remark-at-un-ws-l-9592452.html
