Top Iraqi Shiite cleric slams Trump for anti-Muslim rhetoric

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr slammed president-elect Donald Trump over his “escalating statements… against Islam and Muslims,” and criticized him for not distinguishing between radical and moderate Muslims.

In a written statement issued Thursday, the influential anti-US cleric responded to the outcome of the US presidential election, saying that: “Even if the president changed, the hostile policies [of the US] against the world will not change.”

He urged the American people “not to be affected by the radicalism of their president,” warning that they would otherwise “suffer from international isolation because of the reckless policies which is unacceptable to every mind and every religion.”

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Al-Sadr signed of his statement with “Peace be on the American people,” as well as, “You have to know that Israel will remain our first enemy.”

The call by Trump for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,” which should continue “until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on,” drew intense condemnation throughout the campaign, though the candidate later seemed to slightly temper his position.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report