As Donald Trump savored his victory in New York primary, his Muslim supporter and prominent entrepreneur said Trump has firmly established his status as the GOP choice for 2016 White House race and any attempt at denying him the nomination would be self-inflicting travesty for Republicans.
Sajid Tarar, who is one of the members of Trump’s national diversity coalition and was with the frontrunner in New York, also said if elected as president the billionaire real estate tycoon would be fair to all Americans.
Trump, who has been selling the idea of “making America great again” to disaffected voters had a big night on Tuesday, winning his home Empire State primary with 89 of the 95 delegates at stake from 94 % vote count , keeping a clear lead over conservatie rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich with a total of 845 delegates. A Republican candidate must win 1,237 delegates to win nomination at the GOP convention in July.
Tuesday’s victory animated Trump’s supporters including members of the diversity coalition Tarar and his business partner Jasdip Singh.
A law graduate and executive director of Center for Social Change, Tarar insisted that the Republican frontrunner’s statements on immigration and Muslims have been misinterpreted.
“Trump is not a racist,” Tarar told Views and News in an interview ahead of the New York primary, when asked about the Republican frontrunner’s remarks that have been widely perceived as inciting sentiments against Mexican immigrants and Muslims.
The Maryland-based entrepreneur, who is leading the group called Muslim Americans for Trump, also said that when Trump talks about banning the entry of Muslims into the United States, he is talking only about bad guys.
“I am an American, I want to keep America safe and I don’t want any bad guys coming into the United States,” Tarar said of his own feelings in the face of challenges facing Americans.
Trump’s comments on “total” ban on Muslims- in the wake of terrorist bombings in Europe – incurred a scathing criticism of the businessman from both American and foreign leaders. Democrats and progressive leaders including Hillary Clinton, the winner of New York primary, have accused Trump of being divisive and provocative
But Tarar says Trump has initiated a frank and open discussion on the challenges facing America.
However, in recent weeks, Trump has avoided making abrasive comments against American minorities, and is instead building a diversity coalition.
Tarar also says that if voted to power, Trump will adopt fair policies toward all Americans irrespective of their backgrounds.
On reports that some Republicans might try to turn the July convention into a contested nomination process, Tarar said such a move would be disastrous for the GOP, as Trump has been bringing more voters into the Republican contests than any of his party rivals.
Living the American dream, Tarar also has words of encouragement for Pakistani-Americans, urging them to fully take part in American local and mainstream politics in order to have a strong voice.
