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Trump would be 'coward' to snub Scotland mosques


GLASGOW, Scotland — Donald Trump has been told he would be a “coward” to snub invitations from five mosques while he is in Scotland later this month.

The charge came as two more mosques offered to open their doors to the controversial presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

A total of five mosques have now challenged the outspoken tycoon to "educate" himself when he is in the country.

Campaigners also announced plans to hire a plane to fly a banner over Trump’s head “to make sure he gets the invite.”

The former star of the American television show "The Apprentice" attracted worldwide condemnation after he called for a temporary ban on all Muslims entering the United States.

In response, Scottish ministers and members of Parliament called for him to barred from Britain for “hate speech.”

But he will arrive in Scotland at the end of the month to relaunch his Turnberry golf course and hotel in South Ayrshire following a £200 million ($290 million) revamp.

Edinburgh’s Blackhall Mosque and the Turkish Mosque and Cultural Centre, have now joined three others in the city to invite Trump to visit.

Social campaign group 38 degrees has also launched a petition urging the billionaire to accept.

The organization said that the petition would put pressure on Trump to “accept the invitation or explain publicly why he’s refusing to go.”

38 degrees has also vowed to hire an airplane to fly a banner highlighting the invitation over Turnberry while Trump is there.

Trump is also expected to face demonstrations from protesters angry at what they say are his misogynist, racist and xenophobic views.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “Trump may have closed his mind to other cultures but it seems Edinburgh’s Muslim community are ready to open their doors to The Donald and teach him about Islam.

“Trump is a candidate for president of the United States.

“Being able to work with people of different cultures is a prerequisite of the job. He cannot ignore this growing campaign and he must now accept one of the increasing number of invitations he has received.”

He added: “Bullies often talk big but act small and no one talks bigger than Donald Trump.

“Unless he accepts this invitation people will think he is a coward who is afraid of coming face-to-face with people he has trashed in the press for months.”

In their original invitation Hafiz Ghafoor of Annandale Mosque and Munawar Hussain, secretary of the Roxburgh Street Mosque and Islamic Center accused the billionaire of “ignorance.”

They said: “Donald Trump aspires to lead the free world but his run for the White House has been rooted in ignorance and intolerance,” they said. “Muslims in Scotland and elsewhere are working together with people of all faiths to build understanding and peace across the world and tackle extremism.

“Before he makes another inflammatory speech, Trump should learn more about the Muslims that he offends almost every time he opens his mouth.

“We would welcome the opportunity to show him the work that we are doing in the community in Edinburgh when he comes to Scotland later this month.”

Follow Kate Devlin on Twitter: @_katedevlin