Trump's proposal hits close to home for Iraqi refugee

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Donald Trump's call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States is being taken personally by some Middle Eastern refugees here in the valley.

Those who came to America to escape religious persecution and discrimination in their home countries call Trump's comments extremism.

It's not just Muslims who are offended by Trump's comments. Christians are as well. Christians from the Middle East know what it's like to be persecuted and pushed out of their country because of their religion.

I spoke with a valley radio host who says her family fled Iraq. Their lives were threatened simply because they were Christian and not Muslim. She says Trump's words incite a similar type of discrimination and chaos here in the U.S.

"I escaped along with my family when I was very young.. the regime of Saddam Hussein.. we know terrorism, we know oppression," said Mona Oshana.

Oshana has given a voice to refugees as a valley radio host and is raising hers now. Her family faced death or kidnapping in Iraq had they stayed. So when Donald Trump said he wants to ban all Muslims from entering the U.S. because of their religion, it struck a nerve.

"When I speak, I speak from personal experience and pain, so when someone says no to a certain population, I feel personally for them because that's not a solution.. that's making things worse," she said. "Because then you're going to have extreme Islamist fanaticals going against the west stands for.. if anything, it will heighten the situation."

She calls Trump's proposal extreme and likens it to the discrimination experienced by Christians living in Middle Eastern countries run by terrorist leaders.

"Because if you're going to disallow Muslims, then the Christians are going through the same thing.. they're saying because of your faith, you are going to be blocked."

Leaders across the world are also denouncing Trump's temporary ban on Muslims.