Members of the Chicago’s Muslim American community said they were upset by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s recent comments.
On Monday at a South Carolina rally, the GOP frontrunner called for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States," citing fears of terrorist attacks.
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago says Trump's comments are dangerous because they incite hate and fear.
“As an American, I’m very embarrassed,” said Tabassum Haleem of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.
Some of the young people going to school are outright afraid if they are going to be attacked or not,” said Dr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin, a member of the organization.
They say Trump is playing off the nation's fears -- after a couple believed to be radicalized by the Islamic state killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California.
“Mr. Donald Trump has set a new bar of what an opportunist looks like,” said Syed Shanawaz Khan of the Downtown Islamic Center.
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Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider issued a statement in response to Donald Trump's recent comments.
“I disagree with Donald Trump's rhetoric,” Schneider said in the statement. “Islam is not the enemy. Radical Islam is the enemy. The United States is the greatest country in the world because it was founded upon the principle of religious freedom, and no threat or political event can weaken that principle. We must defeat Radical Islamic Extremists and the threat they pose to all Americans without compromising our values.”
Although NBC 5’s request to Trump's campaign for comment has not been returned.
