Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has called for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States".

The outspoken billionaire's campaign released a statement on Monday, saying the proposal was in response to the level of hatred toward Americans among "large segments of the Muslim population".

Without elaborating, it said the ban would last "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on".

Trump said it was "obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension. Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine".

He added: "Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life."

The Republican front-runner later tweeted: "We must be vigilant!"

Trump's campaign manager said the ban would apply to "everybody", including Muslims seeking immigration visas and tourists.

Several of Mr Trump's Republican rivals have blasted the proposal, including Jeb Bush who suggested the business tycoon was "unhinged".

"His 'policy' proposals are not serious", added Bush.

(Sky News)