Will be voice of city, not just Muslims, says new London mayor

Khan told reporters on Wednesday that he hopes to be the best mayor ever for London, a diverse city of Sikhs, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus and others

London Mayor Sadiq Khan says he wants to be the voice of the city — and not just labelled a spokesman for Muslims.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (right) speaks with the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, at St Pancras Station in London on Tuesday. (AFP)

Khan told reporters on Wednesday that he hopes to be the best mayor ever for London, a diverse city of Sikhs, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus and others.

Read: London shows the way with Citizen Khan

He said he recognizes that he has responsibility to remind people that Islam is compatible with Western liberal values. But he’s clear that he speaks for many in the capital.

“I speak for London,” he said.

Khan’s faith recently made news in the U.S. presidential campaign. Donald Trump has suggested a temporary ban on all Muslims entering the country — though he would make an exception for Khan.

Khan said he’s been surprised by Trump’s ignorance.

Read: London mayor Sadiq Khan rejects Trump’s Muslim ‘exception’ offer