GETTY Malik Obama described Donald Trump's Muslim ban as 'common sense'

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Malik Obama, who is himself a Muslim, said he agreed with the Republican nominee’s radical approach to combatting Islamist terrorism, adding that he liked Mr Trump because he is “not trying to be politically correct”. In a swipe at Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton he said that the billionaire tycoon ”comes across as a straightforward guy" adding that he “down to earth and he speaks from the heart”.

But it is Malik’s backing of Mr Trump’s controversial proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the US to stamp out Islamist extremism that has raised the most eyebrows. He said: "I'm a Muslim, of course, but you can't have people going around just shooting people and killing people just in the name of Islam.”

GETTY The half-brother of US President Barack revealed he is backing Mr Trump for president

GETTY Mr Trump's rhetoric towards Muslims and Mexicans has been controversial

Mr Trump’s proposal, announced early on in his bid for the Republican nomination, caused outrage and brought condemnation from across the globe. David Cameron called the idea “stupid, divisive and wrong” and Barack Obama described it as “dangerous”. After Malik announced his backing for Mr Trump, the property tycoon tweeted: “Wow, President Obama’s brother Malik just announced that he is voting for me.”

You can't have people going around shooting people in the name of Islam Malik Obama

Malik was born to the same father but a different mother to his half-brother Barack and holds dual Kenyan and American citizenship. He and the US President were once close - Malik was best man at Barack’s wedding to Michelle . Malik opposed Barack’s candidacy for the US presidency in 2008 and has accused his half-brother of betraying their African heritage. Speaking about his half-brother he said: “President Obama is my brother and I love him, but he is a hypocrite because he has neglected his African heritage and wants nothing to do with it despite campaigning on a platform that he will help transform Africa.”

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