CAIRO // Republican front-runner Donald Trump’s “extremist and racist” call to bar Muslims from entering the United States could fuel hate and tensions in American society, Egypt’s official religious body warned Tuesday.
Mr Trump’s proposal for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the United States came after last week’s mass shooting in California by a Muslim couple believed to have been radicalised by extremists.
Egypt’s Dar Al Iftaa, which each year issues tens of thousands of edicts that carry influence but not the force of law, denounced Mr Trump’s latest statement.
“This hostile vision towards Islam and Muslims will increase the tension within American society,” Dar Al Iftaa said in a statement.
“It is unfair to sanction all Muslims because of a group of extremists ... we can’t accuse one religion or one country of being a source of extremism and terrorism.”
Urging Americans to reject Mr Trump’s call, Dar Al Iftaa said his proposal “will lead to conflict ... and increase hate, which will be a threat to social peace in the United States.
“This will give a chance to extremists from all parties to realise their criminals aims,” it said.
Trump did not clarify if his proposal would affect both tourists and immigrants, and did not say either if it would target American Muslims currently abroad.
* Agence France-Presse
