Donald Trump's call for the “complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the US has been widely criticised.
In a statement, the Republican frontrunner said there was “great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population”. He proposed the ban until representatives "[figured] out what [was] going on".
Trump's comments - which follow the San Bernardino shooting in which 14 people were killed - have been denounced by other presidential candidates and by people across the world.
Here is the full campaign statement:
Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on. According to Pew Research, among others, there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population.
Most recently, a poll from the Center for Security Policy released data showing "25% of those polled agreed that violence against Americans here in the United States is justified as a part of the global jihad" and 51% of those polled, "agreed that Muslims in America should have the choice of being governed according to Shariah".
Shariah authorizes such atrocities as murder against non-believers who won't convert, beheadings and more unthinkable acts that pose great harm to Americans, especially women.
Mr. Trump stated, 'Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension'.
'Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine. Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life.'
'If I win the election for President, we are going to Make America Great Again.'
Additional reporting by Reuters
