Sadiq’s message to Trump

My name is Khan and I am not a …………………………………

London has elected a new mayor, first of a kind in many ways. Sadiq Khan’s victory over Conservative Zac Goldsmith ended eight years of Tory leadership of Britain’s largest city. Sadiq Khan is also London’s first Muslim mayor and the media outlets were quick to highlight, “the first Muslim mayor of any major Western city.”

Sadiq Khan brings with him an enviable political track record. A Member of Parliament who served as minister of state for communities and minister of state for transport in the last Labour Party government, and in recent years has been United Kingdom’s shadow secretary of state for justice, shadow Lord Chancellor, and shadow minister for London. In 2009, he became the first Muslim member of the British Cabinet, which required him to be sworn in by the Queen.Sadiq Khan trained as a lawyer and specialized in human-rights issues. Khan entered the mayoral race as a highly engaged and notably experienced leader of his party and his country. Even as election results were being announced, Mayor of New York Bill De Blastio tweeted that he was “sending congratulations to London’s new Mayor and affordable housing advocate, @ Sadiq Khan. Look forward to working together!” Mayor Bill De Blastio’s tweet soon brought the US presidential candidate Donald Trump to the fore in the discussion rooms. The discussions became interesting in the light of the fact that Donald Trump has not won any political office yet, though many seem to suggest that he would soon even when they feel shy in supporting him. On the other hand, Sadiq but crushed Zac Goldsmith, a conservative, to take charges of one of the world’s most ethnic divergent city. Earlier this year, Members of Parliament debated whether Donald Trump should be prevented from visiting Britain due to his hate speech against Muslims and his proposal for banning Muslims from entering the United States. If Trump gets his chance, Sadiq Khan would not be allowed to visit the United States. To cite one of Trump’s phrases that made him illustrious in his own way, this would be a “complete and total disaster.” “It would make America a foul mockery in the eyes of a world already aghast at the Republican candidate’s rise.” Sadiq Khan made an inroad with his soft spoken and well orated, “I’m a Londoner, I’m a European, I’m British, I’m English, and I’m of Islamic faith, of Asian origin, of Pakistani heritage, a dad, a husband.” And residents of London accepted him with open hands.

Though the race of the presidential candidate would be decided in November, victory of Sadiq Khan has sent strong signals, not just to those like Trump who harbor on anti-Muslim stance but also to Muslims too. Secular politics is the order of the day. Faith based prejudice may be real, but is a losing proposition. Sadiq’s victory is testimony of that in politics and that too in multi-cultural society you are judged by what you do, and not who you are. Sadiq a son of immigrant was awarded the Newcomer of the Year Award at the 2005 Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year Awards  for the tough-mindedness and clarity with which he has spoken about the very difficult issues of Islamic terror has lived up to the reputation. One can be a Muslim, an immigrant having effectively adapted to be a British and be successful. Donald Trump should understand from Sadiq Khan that terrorism has no religion and linking the two is a feeling of an absurd mind. Sadiq’s success should give a new perspective to all those who believe in what Donald Trump promotes, and it may take some time for Trump to really understand the tag of the “presumptive candidate for republican party” may be too large to easily sink in.

Despite Donald Trump’s soaring popularity so far, November is the time when the world would be able to judge how much success or damage his campaign has done to his party. Will USA be able to deliver a message similar to what the Londoners have given? Will Intolerance as being propagated by Donald Trump be allowed to succeed? Will a section that supports Trump be large enough to give him the presidency? Will Sadiq’s case make Donald Trump go a little soft in his campaign?

All these questions would be addressed and may get answered soon!