Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th President of the United States, securing the 270 electoral votes needed for the presidency.
There is apprehension about what this outcome will mean for global politics, especially in the Middle East, and the consequences here in Britain.
Commenting on the election, MCB Secretary-General Zara Mohammed stated:
“Many have woken this morning with feelings of uncertainty as Donald Trump secured a significant victory in the US election. This election comes at a time of global disillusionment with political systems; with wars and economic challenges, we have seen a noticeable polarisation in our politics.
The American people have voted, and while Donald Trump will return to the White House, many of us remain worried of his approach to politics—often marked by rhetoric charged with racism, misogyny, and anti-migrant sentiment. His deeply islamophobic ‘Muslim ban’ and labelling of Muslims as terrorist supporters remain difficult to forget.
We have seen the consequences of such careless language here in the UK, the emboldened extreme far-right who took their hatred to our streets. Which was in part driven by online misinformation campaigns and inflammatory rhetoric by key figures in our politics.
This election will have global implication, especially for the war in Gaza and wider Middle East, where devastation and killings continue by Israeli forces. We await President Trump’s response to these critical issues, given his statement he intends to stop wars.
We remain confident that our government will ensure that such hatred is challenged. We will continue to play our part alongside wider society and faith communities in remaining hopeful and united in these challenging times.”