Recent cases of Muslims being denied travel to the United States sparked criticisms and outrage worldwide. France, Britain, and Muslim communities condemn Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's Muslim ban proposal from the US.
People around the world are enraged as Muslims are revoked of their rights to travel to the US. The issue sparked discussions on growing discrimination against Muslims following the November 13 Paris terror attack and the December 2 San Bernardino, California massacre.
Stella Creasy, a Labour MP for Walthamstow, wrote in an article for The Guardian: "Online and offline discussions reverberate with the growing fear UK Muslims are being 'trumped' - that widespread condemnation of Donald Trump's call for no Muslim to be allowed into America contrasts with what is going on in practice."
A British Muslim family of 11 was recently barred by US security officials from flying to Los Angeles' Disneyland at London's Gatwick Airport. Mr. Mohammad Tariq Mahmood, along with his brother and children, were forced to return their purchases from duty-free shops and go back home. The Straits Times reported that the £9,000 the family paid for their holiday flight was not even refunded.
Mahmood said that the officials did not give any explanations why they were not allowed to board their flight. He said, though, that the reason was obvious: "It's because of the attacks on America - they think every Muslim poses a threat."
Another Muslim professor faced the same dilemma as Mahmood. Ajmal Monsoor, a Bristol-based lecturer, turned to Facebook to express his anger over being denied his flight to New York. "I am baffled, annoyed, and angry," wrote Monsoor. "USA has the right to issue and revoke visa - I fully understand that. However not forwarding any reasons infuriates ordinary people. It does not win the hearts and minds of people, it turns them off. I am amazed how irrational these processes are but does USA care about what you and I think? I don't think so!"
ITV stated that Creasy urged UK Prime Minister David Cameron to challenge the US Muslim travel ban. Cameron, meanwhile, has promised to look into the British Muslim family's case.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made the proposal to ban Muslims from the US. Amidst much criticism, Trump continues to defend his proposal, saying "we have no choice but to do this." He called for blocking Muslim immigrants including tourists and students from entering America.
France, Britain, and Muslim communities from Pakistan and Indonesia, as well as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, condemned Trump's proposal. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls tweeted, "Mr. Trump, like others, is feeding hatred and misinformation." On the other hand, Cameron's spokesman said that Trump's plan was "divisive, unhelpful, and quite simply wrong."
