Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan has sent a mailshot to every household in London this week declaring that he was the “British Muslim who’ll take on the extremists”.
Sadiq Khan’s statement is the latest example of how he is putting his faith at the forefront of his campaign.
If Mr Khan wins on May 5, his election would represent a triumph for Britain’s Muslims as well as the maturity of the population. He led one poll by 10 points in a run-off against his Tory rival Zac Goldsmith, according to a survey.
A media report said in a speech last month he stressed the importance of encouraging “the majority of mainstream British Muslims to speak out and challenge the extremists”, because they are in the most effective position to do so.
Identity politics have threatened to dominate the London mayoral contest, with Khan and Goldsmith accused of “using the race card” and exploiting — for opposing purposes — the Labour challenger’s religion.
The Times report said Goldsmith was criticised for allegedly trying to make an issue of Khan’s Muslim faith by describing him in a leaflet as “radical and divisive”. Khan accused him in return of “divisive dog whistle” politics.
