Trump hits back after Scottish snubs

Donald Trump has hit back after two high-profile Scottish snubs in the wake of his call for Muslims to be banned from entering the US, reports BBC.
The presidential hopeful - who has made major golf investments in Scotland - was dropped as a business ambassador by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
And he has also been stripped of an honorary degree by Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen.
Trump responded: “The UK politicians should be thanking me.”
A petition calling for Trump - who has cancelled a trip to Israel - to be banned from entering the UK because of his remarks has attracted more than 400,000 signatures.
A rival petition saying this should not happen has had more than 10,000 signatures.
And boxing legend Muhammad Ali has said Muslims “have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda”.
Trump had been appointed as a GlobalScot ambassador by Labour’s then first minister Jack McConnell in 2006.
However, a Scottish government spokeswoman said Trump’s “recent remarks have shown he is no longer fit to be a business ambassador for Scotland”.
Trump - who has developed a golf resort at Menie, north of Aberdeen - was awarded an honorary degree by RGU in 2010.
But the university said Trump’s comments had been “wholly incompatible” with its ethos and values.
Writing in the Press and Journal newspaper, Trump said: “I have done so much for Scotland, including building Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, which has received the highest accolades, and is what many believe to be one of the greatest golf courses anywhere in the world.
“Additionally, I have made a significant investment in the redevelopment of the iconic Turnberry Resort, which will have massive ballrooms, complete room refurbishments, a new golf course and a total rebuilding of the world famous Ailsa course to the highest standards and specifications of the Royal and Ancient.
“If they - Nicola Sturgeon and RGU - were going to do this, they should have informed me prior to my major investment in this £200m development, which will totally revitalise that vast region of Scotland.
“The UK politicians should be thanking me instead of pandering to political correctness.”
Trump wrote that he had respect for Muslim people, and “great friendships” with many, but there was a “major problem with radicalisation”.
The group Aberdeen Muslims said of the RGU move: “It was a brave decision.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Ali rebuked Donald Trump over his call to ban Muslims from entering the United States, news reports said Wednesday, as the boxing icon became just the latest high-profile name to lay into the presidential hopeful, reports AFP.
Ali, a Muslim, did not mention the Republican frontrunner by name, but a statement by the former heavyweight champ—reported by NBC and ABC—appeared directed squarely at Trump.
“Speaking as someone who has never been accused of political correctness, I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people’s views on what Islam really is,” said the statement, referring also to recent terror attacks.
Ali, 73, was somewhat thrust into the debate when President Barack Obama mentioned Muslims were US soldiers and citizens and sports heroes, and Trump challenged people to think of a Muslim sports hero.
“I am a Muslim and there is nothing Islamic about killing innocent people in Paris, San Bernardino, or anywhere else in the world,” the statement attributed to Ali said.
“True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so-called Islamic jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion.”
Another report adds: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wants to protect the rights of Muslims, saying they should not fear being “persecuted for the actions of others.”
Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post that the Muslim community should not face discrimination following attacks in Paris and elsewhere linked to extremists.
His comments appeared aimed at countering the call by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

Trump hits back after Scottish snubs

Donald Trump has hit back after two high-profile Scottish snubs in the wake of his call for Muslims to be banned from entering the US, reports BBC. The presidential hopeful - who has made major golf investments in Scotland - was dropped as a business ambassador by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. And he has also been stripped of an honorary degree by Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen. Trump responded: The UK politicians should be thanking me. A petition calling for Trump - who has cancelled a trip to Israel - to be banned from entering the UK because of his remarks has attracted more than 400,000 signatures. A rival petition saying this should not happen has had more than 10,000 signatures. And boxing legend Muhammad Ali has said Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda. Trump had been appointed as a GlobalScot ambassador by Labours then first minister Jack McConnell in 2006. However, a Scottish government spokeswoman said Trumps recent remarks have shown he is no longer fit to be a business ambassador for Scotland. Trump - who has developed a golf resort at Menie, north of Aberdeen - was awarded an honorary degree by RGU in 2010. But the university said Trumps comments had been wholly incompatible with its ethos and values. Writing in the Press and Journal newspaper, Trump said: I have done so much for Scotland, including building Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, which has received the highest accolades, and is what many believe to be one of the greatest golf courses anywhere in the world. Additionally, I have made a significant investment in the redevelopment of the iconic Turnberry Resort, which will have massive ballrooms, complete room refurbishments, a new golf course and a total rebuilding of the world famous Ailsa course to the highest standards and specifications of the Royal and Ancient. If they - Nicola Sturgeon and RGU - were going to do this, they should have informed me prior to my major investment in this 200m development, which will totally revitalise that vast region of Scotland. The UK politicians should be thanking me instead of pandering to political correctness. Trump wrote that he had respect for Muslim people, and great friendships with many, but there was a major problem with radicalisation. The group Aberdeen Muslims said of the RGU move: It was a brave decision. Meanwhile, Muhammad Ali rebuked Donald Trump over his call to ban Muslims from entering the United States, news reports said Wednesday, as the boxing icon became just the latest high-profile name to lay into the presidential hopeful, reports AFP. Ali, a Muslim, did not mention the Republican frontrunner by name, but a statement by the former heavyweight champreported by NBC and ABCappeared directed squarely at Trump. Speaking as someone who has never been accused of political correctness, I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted peoples views on what Islam really is, said the statement, referring also to recent terror attacks. Ali, 73, was somewhat thrust into the debate when President Barack Obama mentioned Muslims were US soldiers and citizens and sports heroes, and Trump challenged people to think of a Muslim sports hero. I am a Muslim and there is nothing Islamic about killing innocent people in Paris, San Bernardino, or anywhere else in the world, the statement attributed to Ali said. True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so-called Islamic jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion. Another report adds: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wants to protect the rights of Muslims, saying they should not fear being persecuted for the actions of others. Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post that the Muslim community should not face discrimination following attacks in Paris and elsewhere linked to extremists. His comments appeared aimed at countering the call by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to ban Muslims from entering the United States.