Comparing Sadiq Khan to Donald Trump

(Baonghean) - The most important political event in recent weeks is not the fact that real estate tycoon Donald Trump has a clear path to becoming the Republican presidential candidate, but rather that Mr. Sadiq Khan, who comes from a Muslim family and whose father is a bus driver, has become the new mayor of London - the capital of the foggy country.

Indeed, Mr. Trump has yet to win any political office, while Mr. Khan, the candidate representing the British Labour Party, has successfully defeated the Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith to take power in one of the world's most wonderful cities, a dynamic urban center where the voice of the people is always listened to.

Mr. Sadiq Khan on his first day at work as Mayor of London. Photo: AP

Mr. Khan’s victory “crushed” all the gossip and detractors who tried to label him as “radical Islamist.” In his statement, he shared that he would strongly oppose isolation, promote integration, come together against confrontation, and create opportunities for the entire population to fight against racism. In other words, Mr. Khan is a typical anti-Trump.

Before the election, Mr Khan dramatically declared: “I am a Londoner, I am a European citizen, British by nationality, Muslim, of Asian descent, of Pakistani heritage, a father, a husband.”

The New York Times argues that the 21st century we live in should be shaped by such people, with clear, concise language, by developed cities that support diversity in many aspects, not by someone who is arrogant, insolent, and wants to build walls with the declaration of "American first".

Donald Trump recently announced that Sadiq Khan will be an exception to set foot in the US if Trump becomes President. Photo: Internet.

On this point, it should be noted that if the ban on non-US citizens of Muslim faith from entering the United States as proposed by Mr. Trump is followed, Mr. Khan will become “persona non grata” in the United States.

Mr. Khan's victory is also considered to be of special significance, because it helps to refute the misconception that Europe is being invaded by extremists. Born into a family of seven Pakistani immigrants, living a life of little means, Khan graduated and became a lawyer specializing in protecting human rights before becoming a state official. In the election in London, he won 1.3 million votes, something that almost no politician in British history has been able to do.

What is more, Mr Khan’s election was highly appreciated, as the strongest voices against radical Islam came from within the Muslim community, and Mr Khan was ready to speak out on the issue. After the Paris attacks last year, in his speech he said that Muslims “have a special role” in the fight against terrorism, explaining: “Not because we have more responsibility than others, as many people think, but because we have the ability to fight radicalism more effectively than anyone else.”

As George Eaton, editor of The New Statesman, observed: “Khan will become a figure of global influence. His victory is a rebuke to extremists of all stripes, from Donald Trump to the leader of the Islamic State (IS) group Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, who insist that faiths and religions cannot coexist peacefully.”

As a politician, Mr. Trump is truly a product of America’s fear and anger. A few weeks ago, a Berkeley student was escorted off a Southwest Airlines flight because he was heard speaking Arabic, and a dark-skinned, wavy-haired Italian economist was escorted off an American Airlines flight after a passenger sitting next to him expressed suspicion while poring over his calculations!?

Mr Khan takes power in one of the world's greatest cities.

Mr. Trump - described by many as “the most insecure and egotistical person in the country” - is typical of an America that is always in a state of fear, filled with threats everywhere. And when Trump declared that “America First will be the main and consistent theme if he takes power,” the whole world seemed to imagine an angry nation baring its fangs and claws.

Mr Khan’s rise, by contrast, is a story of triumph over the widespread fear that followed the attacks of 9/11. His election is a rebuke to Osama bin Laden, IS in Iraq and Syria, and to politicians who peddle hate like Mr Trump, who play the “Muslim equals dangerous” game. Mr Khan has argued that greater integration is needed, and that “too many British Muslims have grown up without actually knowing anyone from another culture or faith”.

And so, in the current context, Mr. Khan's rise and victory are certain, because he represents the current trends in the world - towards a global character and greater integration and inclusion - which will clearly over time prove to be overwhelming compared to Mr. Trump's parochial ideology.

Phu Binh

(According to NYTimes)