The imam of the north-east’s only mosque has rejected calls for Donald Trump to be banned from the UK.
Imam Ibrahim Alwawi said freedom of speech was a “core value” of Islam and added that he “hates the statement, not him”.
He spoke out as an online petition calling for the New York-based businessman to be barred from the UK topped the 500,000 mark in the wake of his call for all Muslims to be banned from entering the US.
Imam Ibrahim moved to the north-east nine years ago and is the religious leader at Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre (AMIC) in Old Aberdeen.
He said freedom of speech and respecting different views were part of the Islamic tradition, but that opinions must be expressed with respect.
He said: “He misrepresents American values with what he said. American people, British people, the whole world – we don’t need leaders like this.
“We need people to promote peace and harmony and not just for people to promote hatred or be racist.
“If he said ‘some Muslims’ that’s different but he said ‘all’. No one could talk about Christians in that way.
“In Islam it is forbidden to insult others’ religion or other people’s Gods – it’s in the Qur’an.
“Basically we are very happy and thank RGU for their brave move to revoke the honorary doctorate.
“He doesn’t represent RGU values, UK values or American values.
“We don’t say we are against him as a person or react negatively and be trapped in the same mistake as him.
“What he said is wrong. We hate the statement, not him.
“What he said will increase Islamophobia and make more intolerance and religious hate.
“He’s in an influential position. Generalisation is wrong, good and bad is everywhere. Evil and kind is everywhere.
“But should he be banned? I think we should challenge his perception and defeat his arguments.”