Trump 'a Disgrace', Saudi Billionaire Says
Donald Trump is a disgrace and should pull out of the United States presidential race, Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal tweeted late on Friday.
"@realDonaldTrump You are a disgrace not only to the GOP but to all America," Alwaleed said on his official Twitter account, @Alwaleed_Talal.
"Withdraw from the U.S presidential race as you will never win."
Alwaleed is an unusually outspoken member of the Saudi royal family, who chairs Kingdom Holding Co.
The diversified firm's interests include U.S.-banking giant Citigroup.
A statement early Saturday from Alwaleed's office said his tweet was in response to Trump's "anti-Islam statement".
Alwaleed is a devout but moderate Muslim.
Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, has been lambasted both in the U.S. and abroad for his proposal made on Monday to temporarily bar Muslims from entering the U.S.
Trump's comments followed a shooting rampage by a Muslim couple in San Bernardino, California, which left 14 dead.
Naharnet: You described Alwaleed as 'devout but moderate Muslim'. What constitutes a moderate Muslim?
Would you pleae clarify? My understanding is that the kingdom is nation of Salafi Islam, as dictated by Mohammad Abdulwahab, during the days of Ibn Saud. Therefore Alwaleed, being from the ruling establisment, would be considered a Salafi aka a Wahhabi. Otherwise he would be charged with apostasy under Sharia law in the kingdom, and may lose his head as well as his fortune.
Please explain