By Mike Cook | 23 March 2017
Virginia Tech community remains united, protesting against Trump’s travel ban against Muslim-majority countriesBLACKSBURG – The quiet of a weekday afternoon is broken as a crowd gathers. People flock to Virginia Tech’s drillfield armed with signs and war cries. Side by side, they demand to be heard. They stand united against President Donald Trump’s executive order that prohibits the entry of citizens from any of seven Muslim-majority countries into the United States.
One man, defiant against the travel ban, stretches his arms, raising a sign as far above his head as he can. The large placard bears a simple message: “AMERICA IS BETTER THAN THIS BAN.” Sajal Dash, a Virginia Tech student, stands in the energized crowd among his peers. “They were shouting slogans at the top of their lungs,” he said. “There were people of all colors and geography, but the way they protested; like all of them were affected by the ban.” Onlookers can sense the camaraderie among peers as Virginia Tech students amass on campus united by a goal of instigating change. (Video credit: footage provided by Alessandra Young)
Despite Trump’s executive order and an increase in anti-Muslim hate groups across the country, the Virginia Tech community remains resilient against the ban as support networks, faculty and students vow to uphold the college’s Principles of Community.
For many Muslims in America, practicing Islam comes with judging stares and a subjectivity to bigoted attacks against their religion. Since Trump’s announcement of the executive order, the nation has witnessed a spike in xenophobic hate groups. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a research body investigating prejudice and bigotry within America, found a 197 percent increase in the number of anti-Muslim organizations in the past year. In an open letter addressed to Virginia Tech Students, College President Tim Sands acknowledged a rise in the number of hate and bias related incidents occurring within the Blacksburg college community. Sands also said the presence of 3500 international students was a fundamental part of the college’s mission and the travel ban would directly affect more than 100 students and staff. Yosef Nofal, a senior engineering student, is an active member of the Muslim community; he is one of the many students who have been affected by the executive order. With family in Syria, Trump’s ban prevents Nofal’s loved ones from visiting him as he prepares to graduate in May. Yosef Nofal's (pictured) prays five times a day, dedicated to his Islamic faith. The Quran text gives him wisdom in times of need, spurring him onward through scripture.
“My friends. My family. These are people I care about.” Nofal expressed concern about implications of travel restrictions for any of the banned nations, fearing for the safety of the people who call those countries home. “I’m worried – afraid – of what’s going to happen in the future.”
Nofal hopes that people will begin to see a different side to Muslim people than the negative stereotypes shown in the media. He urged for people to see those of Islamic faith as neighbors, friends and genuine members of the community instead of extremists. “In the U.S. you always think about it like it’s a free country. You are free practice or do what you want,” Nofal said. “This is sending the wrong message of ‘you have to be a certain way for [America] to accept you’”. Yosef Nofal (pictured) feels many Americans perceive Islam to be antagonistic, when the opposite is true. Nofal says Muslim people believe the purpose of life is to help support one another to achieve goals in a collaborative environment.
Student body organizations are also holding steadfast, offering support for those from diverse cultures. One such organization is Virginia Tech’s Mixed Student Alliance (MSA). The MSA openly welcomes Muslim students, upholding multiculturalism as a chief value in the community.
MSA member Vanessa Arndorfer believes college is the ideal place for people educate themselves on cultural issues, religions and other ethnicities. “Diversity is extremely important, especially in a place like Blacksburg.” “I think we have a unique opportunity given our past,” Arndorfer said, reflecting the Virginia Tech massacre. She has seen the extent of campus-wide support groups and is confident students will unite against injustice and prejudice. Arndorfer views strength in the face of adversity as one of the defining traits of Virginia Tech. “Our community will stay together.” |