In a growing dispute between Donald Trump and the parents of a Muslim US Army officer killed in the Iraq war, the father said on Monday (Aug 1) that the Republican presidential nominee lacked the empathy to be a leader and chided him for throwing the first salvo in their exchange.
Trump responded simultaneously on Twitter to Khizr and Ghazala Khan's morning television appearances, saying he was being 'viciously' attacked.
Asked on CNN what message he could give Trump, Khizr Khan said he wanted to maintain his family's dignity and convey to Trump 'that a good leader has one trait … empathy.'
'It is basic character, realizing, feeling the pains, the difficulties of the people that you wish to lead' Khan said. 'And that is missing.'
The issue has dominated the election campaign in recent days after Khan spoke at the Democratic National Convention last Thursday (July 28) night, with his wife standing at his side.
Khan accused the Republican presidential nominee of vilifying American Muslims in a steely rebuke that electrified the Democratic convention last Thursday.
'Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America' Khan said to Trump.
'You will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one.'
Army Captain Humayun Khan was killed by a bomb in Iraq in 2004, and the father spoke emotionally of the sacrifice his son had made for the country as an American Muslim, specifically criticizing Trump's proposal to ban Muslims from entering the country.
In response to the speech, Trump said Ghazala Khan might not have been 'allowed' to speak, implying her silence reflected restrictions placed on women by some traditional Muslims.
'There was no need to comment the way he commented," Khan said on Monday.'That initiated this conversation."
Ghazala Khan wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Post last Sunday (July 31) saying that she had remained silent during her husband's remarks to cope with making her grief public during the convention.
'Without saying a thing, all the world, all America, felt my pain," she wrote. "Whoever saw me felt me in their heart.'
The parents have appeared on television numerous times over the weekend and several leading Republicans have weighed in to express support for the family and to honor their sacrifice.
In interviews on Monday, the Khans spoke about their son and described the outpouring of support they have received during their very public exchange with Trump. Ghazala Khan said on CNN her family had always felt safe and protected as Muslims in the United States.
Last Sunday, Democratic rival Hillary Clinton said Trump had scapegoated the parents. Trump has courted controversy and sparked outrage during his drive for the US presidency with disparaging remarks against immigrants, Muslims and women.
His call to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the US has drawn criticism even from leaders of his own party.
Leading Republicans including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued statements in support of the family.
McConnell called Humayun Khan "an American hero," praised the sacrifices of families like the Khans, and said he agreed with them that 'a travel ban on all members of a religion is simply contrary to American values.'
House Speaker Ryan noted that many Muslim Americans have "served valiantly in our military, and made the ultimate sacrifice. Captain Khan was one such brave example. His sacrifice – and that of Khizr and Ghazala Khan – should always be honored. Period. 'In a statement late on Saturday, Trump praised Humayun Khan as a hero to our country,' adding,' we should honor all who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe. '
But Trump took issue with the father's convention night speech, including his claim that the billionaire candidate had never read the US constitution.
