Dad of slain Muslim soldier challenges Trump

The father of a Muslim US soldier killed in Iraq accused Donald Trump of vilifying patriotic American Muslims while "sacrificing nothing" himself, in a steely rebuke that electrified the Democratic convention.

Khizr Khan -- whose son Humayun died in a 2004 suicide bombing in Baquba -- admonished the Republican presidential nominee for his plan to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

"Tonight we are honored to stand here as parents of Captain Humayun Khan and as patriotic American Muslims with undivided loyalty to the country," he said, stirring delegates who had watched a video tribute to his son in captivated silence.

"If it was up to Donald Trump, he never would have been in America," he said. "Donald Trump consistently smears the character of Muslims."

"Donald Trump, you are asking Americans to trust you with their future, let me ask you -- have you even read the United States Constitution?" he said, brandishing a copy to loud cheers.

"I will gladly lend you my copy!" Khan said, demanding Trump look for the word "liberty" and consult the 14th amendment, which guarantees equal protection before the law.

"Have you ever been to Arlington cemetery?" he demanded, as many in the audience were moved to tears. "Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America. You will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities."

"You have sacrificed nothing, and no one!" he said.

Source: AFP