Niraj Warikoo

Detroit Free Press

The parents of an American soldier killed in Iraq who criticized Donald Trump in an address to the Democratic National Convention are coming to Dearborn next month to speak at an annual banquet for an Arab-American civil rights group.

Khizr Khan and his wife, Ghazala Khan, of Virginia, will be honored with an award by the Arab American Civil Rights League at the group's fifth annual Fight for Justice gala in Dearborn. Over the past month, the Khans received national attention for their dispute with Trump over his comments on minorities.

"We wanted to honor them because their son gave the ultimate sacrifice, dying for his country," Nabih Ayad, an attorney who founded the league, said Tuesday. "We hear all the election rhetoric and ridiculous comments going on about Muslim Americans, presidential candidates talking about excluding Muslim Americans from this country.

"He's speaking out against the bigotry and hate that has clouded a lot of our mainstream political discussion."

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In 2004, the Khans' son, Capt. Humayun Khan, 27, was killed in Iraq while serving with the U.S. Army. Khan was struck by a suicide bomb blast from a vehicle he had approached while warning others to stay back in order to protect them. He earned posthumously a Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals.

An immigrant from Pakistan, Khizr Khan and other Muslim Americans have criticized Trump for his anti-Muslim remarks, which include banning Muslims from entering the U.S.

Last month, Khan said in a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia: "If it was up to Donald Trump, (my son) never would have been in America. Donald Trump consistently smears the character of Muslims. He disrespects other minorities, women, judges, even his own party leadership."

"Donald Trump, you're asking Americans to trust you with their future. Let me ask you, have you even read the United States Constitution?"

Khan then pulled out a copy of the Constitution from his pocket and said "I will gladly lend you my copy. In this document, look for the words 'liberty' and 'equal protection of law.' Have you ever been to Arlington Cemetery? Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America. You will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing, and no one."

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In response, Trump said he has sacrificed, creating jobs, and he questioned why Khan's wife, Ghazala, who was at Khan's side during his talk, did not speak. Some Trump supporters also alleged that Khizr Khan is an extremist.

Trump's response was criticized by both Democratic and Republican leaders such as Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, and veterans groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Khan's wife, Ghazala, said she didn't speak at the convention because she was still distraught over her son's death.

Sarah Anderson, communications director for the Michigan Republican Party, told the Free Press earlier this month that "Capt. Khan was a hero."

"The Michigan Republican Party is thankful to the Khan family, and to all of the others who so selflessly defend our country and our freedom in the United States military," Anderson said. "Those who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation and their families deserve honor, respect and appreciation. We disagree with any statements or implications to the contrary."

Trump campaign officials in Michigan could not be reached for comment Tuesday. A message left with Trump's campaign director in the state was not returned.

Ayad said he was pleased to see many leaders speak out in support of Khan.

"I think the nation at large realized there's no way you can allow an attack on Gold Star parents, the parents of a deceased soldier," said Ayad. "I'm proud to see the number of people, including Republicans, who stood in support of the Khan family, of their sacrifice of losing a loved one.

"We felt compelled as an Arab-American organization to stand with the Khans."

The banquet is set for Sept. 29 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn and will honor people of different faiths.

Other award recipients include Amre Moussa, a politician and diplomat from Egypt who was former secretary-general of the Arab League, which represents 22 Arab countries, and Father George Shalhoub, founding pastor at the Basilica of St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church in Livonia.

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or 313-223-4792. Follow him on Twitter @nwarikoo