oIC expresses ‘grave concern’ over Trump’s immigration ban

The world’s largest body of Islamic nations on Monday said it has “grave concern” over US President Donald Trump’s order banning travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries.
The 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a statement Monday to the AP warning that “such selective and discriminatory acts will only serve to embolden the radical narratives of extremists and will provide further fuel to the advocates of violence and terrorism.”
It called upon the US to “reconsider this blanket statement and maintain its moral obligation to provide leadership and hope at a time of great uncertainty and unrest in the world.”
The 90-day ban, imposed Friday, affects travel to the US by citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. All are OIC members.
Trump has vigorously defended the order, saying it “is about terror and keeping our country safe” and not “a Muslim ban.”

'No choice'
Because of the ban, Air France on Monday said it has blocked 15 passengers from Muslim countries from traveling to the US because they would have been refused entry.
Air France said in a statement it was informed Saturday by the US government of the new restrictions, and had no choice but to stop the passengers from boarding US-bound flights.
An airline spokeswoman said Monday that the passengers were taken back to their point of departure or otherwise taken care of. She would not provide the passengers’ names, nationalities or other details.
The passengers were from seven Muslim-majority countries affected by the three-month immigration ban: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

Warriors coach weighs in
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed dismay over President Donald Trump’s executive order, calling it a “horrible idea.”
Kerr spoke about the administration’s travel ban following a 113-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
“As someone whose family member was a victim of terrorism, having lost my father, if we’re trying to combat terrorism by banishing people from coming to this country, by really going against the principals of what our country’s about and creating fear, it’s the wrong way to go about it,” Kerr said. “If anything, we could be breeding anger and terror.
“I think it’s shocking. I think it’s a horrible idea. I feel for all the people who are affected. Families are being torn apart and I worry in the big picture what this means to the security of the world.”
Malcolm Kerr was murdered while he was the American University president in Beirut when Steve Kerr was 18 and a freshman at the University of Arizona.

Interreligious dialogue 
The president of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. also criticized the new policy, saying in a letter to students, faculty and staff that Trump’s executive order troubles him.
“The implications of this order are significant and concerning. We are an institution that values the contributions of our international students, staff, and faculty, and we are deeply committed to interreligious dialogue and providing a context in which members of all faith backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to practice their faith,” John Gioia wrote.
He also said “members of our community from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen legally residing in the United States avoid travel outside the US during this period and consult an immigration attorney if travel is required.”

Source : Arab News