Singaporean Muslims still keen to visit the States
Singaporean Muslims say they will continue to visit the United States of America even if Donald Trump gets elected as President in 2016.
Trump made headlines recently with his plan to ban Muslims from entering the USA if he gets elected. He also mooted a plan to require American Muslims to be registered.
However, most Singaporean Muslims are not worried about Trump being elected as President and will still travel to the USA even if the media mogul makes it to the White House.
Kamariah Adnan, a businesswoman who travels to the States twice a year, said it is impossible for Trump, if he wins, to implement the changes overnight.
“I will still go to the States as I have children studying and working there. Even if he gets elected I am certain he and his government will take time to implement all these changes.
“I don’t think it will happen anytime soon anyway,” said the owner of KNA Manpower Consultants Pte Ltd.
Plenty of business opportunities still
Business owners in Singapore do not see Trump as a stumbling block in their efforts to expand their business in the States.
The Director and Principal Consultant of Sirius Learning Universe Pte Ltd, Damanhuri Abas said that if given a chance, he will explore opportunities in the States.
“If I am permitted to enter the country and have a reason for business, social or educational purposes, I surely would,” he said.
The head of Club Ethis Real Estate Crowdfunding, Umar Munshi said a country should not be judged by its leadership.
He said there are still good Americans he can do business with.
“I can still do whatever I business I may want with the US online. The main value of the US to me is its intellectual capital which cannot be blocked by Trump's shenanigans,” he said.
Trump’s promises a publicity plan
Hafiz Abbas said he would travel to the US in the near future as he wants to visit his Muslim friends who are staying there.
“They are thriving in America and I think it is a great country. I love the US for what it is: a peace-loving and all-inclusive nation,” he said.
The educator who last visited the States five years ago said Trump's threats are just part of his plans to garner more votes and publicity.
Hafiz said Trump is just saying what the minority of the Americans want to hear.
“He is being a salesman but if he wins the election, the pressures he will be facing will definitely make him toe the line,” he added.
It is not only about Trump
Sales manager, Amellia Razak said even though she is unsure how safe it will be to travel to the States if and when Trump gets elected, she has not given up faith on the Americans.
“I still trust the normal everyday citizens, who will be the ones I will be interacting with most of the time, to act on their humanity rather than prejudice,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Malay/Muslim volunteer welfare organization, Ain Society Yusof Ismail, also intends to continue visiting the US even if Trump wins the presidential elections.
The community leader spends time in the US attending conferences and training on community and social services.
“My purpose of visiting the US is more important than Trump’s conviction - after all he is just full of air,” he said.
Not going to the States
However Haniffa Ithnin said she is not going to visit the States if Trump gets elected.
The educator, who has visited the States three times, said she is not keen to contribute to the economy of the US and is even considering taking more drastic measures in the future.
“I do not want to contribute money to their economy and maybe I should start boycotting American goods.
“Trump is representing the majority of Americans who are mostly ignorant of the global crisis and US foreign policies and their effect on the lives of ordinary people,” she said.
