'America I cannot be shamed by you': Muslim MP to boycott US trips in response to Trump travel ban

Labor MP Ed Husic has told of his personal disappointment about Donald Trump’s travel ban which affects people from several predominantly Muslim countries.

Mr Husic told colleagues in the House of Representatives that the United States is shutting people out on the basis of faith.

“I think it is wrong, that a nation (that) can promise so much on the basis of freedom, can shut out people on the basis of faith and do it that way. I think it’s wrong and against what America stands for,” he said in the chamber.

He delivered the speech during a motion about Australia’s relationship with the United States and said while he has visited the US every year since 2005, he would be re-thinking future travel there.

President Trump’s ban includes restrictions on travel to the US by nationals from Iran, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Chad and North Korea.
“I can’t see myself going back to America while this is being maintained. I cannot think of people like me and my faith being taken out in front of their children in a line queuing up to visit the States just on the basis of faith.”

The son of Bosnian parents, Ed Husic made headlines in 2010 when he became the first Muslim federal MP.

“America, I think the world of you. But I cannot, and people like me cannot be shamed by you.

“This is not the promise of the America we love. America is better than this,” Mr Husic said.


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2 min read
Published 16 October 2017 3:21pm
Updated 16 October 2017 3:30pm
By Marija Zivic
Source: SBS World News Australia


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