SALT LAKE CITY – Local Muslim leaders are reacting to the controversial comments from Donald Trump. The Republican front runner is calling for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.”
The real estate mogul’s proposal comes in the wake of recent violence in San Bernardino, California where a radical Muslim couple killed 14 people and injured 21 at a holiday office party.
Trump’s message is drawing condemnation from Muslim groups across the country, including Utah.
“Some of his comments are borderline unconstitutional and most is Un-American,” said Shuaid Din, an Imam with the Utah Islamic Center.
Din said Trump’s rhetoric incites hatred and plays into the reality T.V. star’s script.
“I think it’s more than anything, serving an entertainment purpose and I think it’s about time we stop being entertained by Donald Trump,” he said.
Members of the GOP have blasted Trump’s proposal, including Gov. Gary Herbert.
“I understand the need to secure our borders, I understand the need to make sure terrorists are not getting into America through whatever portals are available to them out there, but the test ought not to be on religion,” Herbert said.
Local Muslim leaders say they worry about their safety, but are trying to go on with their daily life.
“People will get suspicious looks, especially the women who wear a head scarf from our community. They will start getting suspicious looks in sensitive places like airports – people keep their distances from us or try to avoid us,” Din said.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City and The Episcopal Diocese of Utah weighed in on Trump's comments.
Read their statements in the story below:
LDS Church issues statement in response to Donald Trump's comments on Muslims
