Muslim’s mayoral victory defies divisive politicking: #tellusatoday

Letter to the editor:

In a welcome departure from the burgeoning divisiveness we are witnessing worldwide, the election of Sadiq Khan as the first Muslim mayor of London and of a major Western capital city testifies to the fact that forces fanning racism and xenophobia can win some votes but cannot corrupt minds and hearts (“Sadiq Khan officially declares victory as London’s first Muslim mayor”).

Khan and Londoners deserve applause for standing up against stereotyping by faith, ethnicity or skin color.

I hope the winds of London enlightenment blowing across the Atlantic sweep across America. May they neutralize the hydra of hatred and intolerance, exemplified in recent primaries, that has been an unfortunate blot upon cherished U.S. ideals of equality and liberty.

Atul M. Karnik; Woodside, N.Y.

Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

To those freaking out about how the Friday election of the first Muslim mayor of London somehow represents a sharia “takeover” of British society: 1) Khan was born and raised in London. 2) He is a Labour politician and self-proclaimed feminist who supports gay marriage. 3) Khan has received death threats from Islamist groups over his liberal policies. 4) He has a section of his campaign website devoted to combating radicalization and extremism in London and “empowering mainstream Muslims.” This guy is the opposite of a fundamentalist.

— Bobby McCarthy

According to the 2012 Census, there are 8.2 million Londoners. Forty percent are considered “non-white.” One in eight is Muslim, and 39% were born in another country. I was there in 2005 and heard native Londoners complaining about how they were losing their city due to horrific immigration policies. Looks like they were right.

— Geri Sculley

Happy for Londoners for choosing knowledge, not fear.

— George Carlisle III

Does it really matter if leaders are Muslim, Jewish or atheist as long as they can do their job?

— Colin Yapp

We asked our followers what they thought of London electing its first Muslim mayor, the British-born son of Pakistani immigrants. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

I think Khan will change the future diversity of London. London elected him fairly anyway.

— @EdwinKanu

Prepare for the Islamization of Great Britain. Why do so many Muslim countries not have freedom of religion?

— @OvyeAlaba

Was he the most qualified candidate for the position? Yes? Then no issue.

— @coachsullivan09

Follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday for more.