"I don't call him Donald Trump, I call him 'Bigot Trump.'"
That's what Fiazan Haq, the founder of WNY Muslims, said when describing Trump to 7 Eyewitness News reporter Desiree Wiley. Haq said Trump's idea to ban Muslims from America is only deepening a divide.
"What would be the difference between the United States of America and those places which we hear about in the news," said Haq. "This is the time to be united. This is a time to stand together."
Haq said targeting a particular group of people could contribute to radicalization. "Whenever a minority feels pressure around it the are always elements with the minority who turns radicalized or extremist."
Vulnerability could encourage groups like ISIS to gain more supporters according to Haq. Julie Algubani the executive director of WNY Muslims agrees.
"When you alienate them and then they're able to connect to groups like this it's very easy for them to be influenced," said Algubani.
New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul voiced her opinion Tuesday and it's not in Trump's favor.
"It's so anathema to who we are as a people and what our country is built on and our own constitution that we treasure," said Hochul. "Hopefully more reasonable voices will dominate this debate."
The Network of Religious Communities is also strongly condemning Trumps comments. "I think it is a terrible idea. I think it is a terrible idea from the standpoint of international relations. I think it is a terrible idea from the standpoint of our own internal politics and feelings within the country," said Rev. John Long, the Presbyterian representative for the Network of Religious Communities.
The Erie County Republican Party released the following statement:
"I strongly oppose Donald Trump's proposal that our government halt all Muslim people entering the United States. We are a nation founded on religious liberty. This is not what the United States or the Republican Party stands for and we must reject every syllable of his idea." - Nicholas A. Langworthy, Chairman, Erie County Republican Committee
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