Khizr Khan, the father of a soldier killed in Iraq, has attacked Donald Trump’s vision of America and questioned which ethnic minorities would “have a place” in a country governed by the Republican.
Khan, the Gold Star father of a Muslim American soldier who died to protect his unit in Iraq, was propelled into the limelight after his convention speech last June. In his speech, which became a critical moment in the presidential campaign, Khan urged Mr Trump not to smear Muslims’ characters and to read the US constitution. The billionaire property magnate responded to the speech by attacking Khan and his wife Ghazala.
Speaking at a rally in New Hampshire for Hillary Clinton on Sunday, Khan condemned Mr Trump's rhetoric against people of colour.
“So today, I have a few questions for Donald Trump. Donald Trump, would my son have a place in your America?” he asked.
”Would Muslims have a place in your America? Would Latinos have a place in your America? Would African-Americans have a place in your America, Donald Trump?”
“Thankfully, Donald Trump, this isn’t your America," Khan concluded, prompting the crowd to erupt into applause.
Mr Trump called for a “Muslim ban” in December. He has since adjusted the plan to prohibit entry for people from countries with heavy terrorist activity however he has yet to clarify which countries would be included in that list of territories.
Also speaking at the rally, Clinton said Khan and his family “exemplify the values that make America great” and that all American citizens would be “grateful that this remarkable family decided to make American their home.”
Last month, Khan appeared in a new television campaign advert for Clinton which questioned Mr Trump’s stance on American Muslims. The emotionally charged one-minute video shows Khan in his home relaying the story of his dead son Humayun Khan while holding his former military cap and the American flag that swathed his son's coffin when he was brought home from Iraq.
