US travel ban will fuel extremism, OIC warns

"Such selective and discriminatory acts will only serve to embolden the radical narratives of extremists", global organisation of Muslim countries says.

People gather for a rally in Battery Park in New York on January 29, 2017, as they protest against US president Donald Trump's executive order banning travel to the US by citizens of seven Muslim  countries. Craig Ruttle / AP Photo
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NEW YORK // The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation denounced Donald Trump's travel ban on Monday, saying the measure will strengthen extremists.
The policy temporarily banning travellers and refugees from seven Muslim countries from entering the United States has presented Mr Trump with his first test as president. His administration has largely stood firm despite court rulings preventing the deportation of travellers detained at US airports and mass protests across the nation.
But partners in the fight against ISIL, including Iraq, have urged Mr Trump to think again, while even members of his own Republican party have expressed dismay at what they see as a botched handling of the travel ban.
On Monday, the OIC added its voice to the condemnation.
"As a result of this ban many of those fleeing war and persecution have been adversely and unjustly affected," it said.
"Such selective and discriminatory acts will only serve to embolden the radical narratives of extremists and will provide further fuel to the advocates of violence and terrorism at a critical time when the OIC has been engaged with all partners, including the US, to combat extremism and terrorism in all their forms and manifestations."
Mr Trump defended the ban in a characteristic slew of tweets on Sunday and Monday. He responded to criticism that hurried implementation of the policy caused travel chaos by saying advance warning would have allowed "bad dudes" to race to the US ahead of the ban, and blaming "problems at airports" on the disruption of flights by Delta Air Lines because of a breakdown in its computer systems on Sunday night.
"Only 109 people out of 325,000 were detained and held for questioning. Big problems at airports were caused by Delta computer outage," he tweeted.
The president signed an executive order on Friday suspending the entire US refugee programme for 120 days, indefinitely banning Syrian refugees, and barring the arrival of people from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen for 90 days.
He said the measures were essential to allow time to overhaul the US visa system and keep Americans safe from the threat of terrorism.
However, word soon circulated about new arrivals - who were in the air at the time the order was signed - being detained at airports despite having legal visas. By Saturday night protesters had assembled at international airports and two judges had ordered that parts of the programme be suspended.
The administration was also forced to back down over including legal permanent residents holding green cards in the ban.
Officials said on Monday that all those detained at airports had been released but lawyers and pressure groups said they were still working to free some people.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people around the world have been left with useless visas for the US or wondering what will happen to their visa applications.
MPs in Iraq, an ally in the fight against ISIL, said on Monday that Baghdad should respond to the ban with similar measures against America.
"Iraq is in the front line of the war on terrorism ... and it is unfair that the Iraqis are treated in this way," said the Iraqi parliament's foreign affairs committee.
Later the government offered a milder rebuke.
"It is necessary that the new American administration reconsider this wrong decision," said the foreign ministry.
In Germany, chancellor Angela Merkel said the global fight against terrorism did not warrant putting groups of people under suspicion - adding that Mr Trump's order violated the spirit of international cooperation.
"The chancellery and the foreign ministry will do everything they can, especially for those dual citizens affected, to clear up the legal ramifications and to emphatically represent their interests under the law," she said.
And in the UK, more than one million people had on Monday signed a petition demanding the prime minister withdraw an invitation to Mr Trump for a full state visit.
Theresa May has faced bitter criticism at home for racing to become the first world leader to meet Mr Trump after his inauguration - criticism that has grown since he signed the executive order implementing travel restrictions.
The petition's organisers wrote: "Donald Trump's well-documented misogyny and vulgarity disqualifies him from being received by the Queen or the Prince of Wales."
Downing Street said the invitation stood, however.
"An invitation has been extended and accepted," said a spokesman.
The executive order has also brought an outpouring of support for refugees and Muslims in the US.
Thousands of people gathered in downtown New York on Sunday, chanting: "No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here."
Starbucks said it would hire 10,000 refugees around the world during the next five years.
In a memo to staff, chief executive Howard Schultz wrote: "We are living in an unprecedented time, one in which we are witness to the conscience of our country, and the promise of the American dream, being called into question."
Although Mr Trump might be able to shrug off protests from people who campaigned against him during the presidential election, he could find it harder to ignore criticism from within Republican ranks.
Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham have both condemned the travel restrictions, saying the hasty process risked harmful results.
Others have highlighted a provision to prioritise religious minorities - which Mr Trump said was designed to help Christians fleeing persecution in the Middle East.
Mitch McConnell, leader of Republicans in the house of representatives, warned: "I think we need to be careful. We don't have religious tests in this country."
Democrats, who have been searching for a wedge issue they could use to divide Republican ranks, said they would be introducing legislation to block the travel curbs.
Chuck Schumer, their leader in the senate, said the provisions made the US "less humanitarian, less safe, less American".
foreign.desk@thenational.ae