(Image source from: Capital Gazette)

A Maryland councilman, who is running for state senate is facing an immense backlash after sharing a series of posts that have been perceived by some as being Islamophobic and xenophobic.

According to a report by news outlets, Anne Arundel County Councilman John Grasso started sharing the series of Facebook posts earlier in September, including one that stated: "One nation under God, Not Allah." Grasso as well posted an article that encouraged people to "share" if they thought the United States President Donald Trump "should ban Islam in American schools."

The Republican from Glen Burnie said he was just sharing the content someone else posted and refused to disavow or take away the posts.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has called on Grasso to step down.

-Sowmya Sangam