London elected a Muslim mayor on Friday, in a remarkable triumph over the racial and religious tensions that have bedevilled other European capitals.
Labour MP looked set to sweep to victory after defeating Tory Zac Goldsmith by a margin of 44 per cent to 35 per cent before second preference votes were counted to end eight years of Conservative rule over the city
The historic moment — Sadiq Khan is the first directly elected Muslim mayor of an important western city — is being scrutinised around the world, particularly in European countries struggling to integrate Muslim communities.
The win reaffirms London’s multicultural image at a time of rising populist fervour in Europe and the US. Europe’s anti-immigration parties have made inroads in recent months, fuelled by rising public fears following the terrorist attacks in Brussels and Paris by Isis.
In the US, the rightwing Drudge Report website greeted Mr Khan’s early lead at the ballots with the scare headline “First Muslim Mayor of Londonistan”. Mr Khan’s ascent has also made headlines across France and Germany, with Le Monde noting that he described his religion as “part of my identity”.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8c974c8e-1379-11e6-bb40-c30e3bfcf63b.html
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