Since the announcement of President Trump signing the executive order banning “refugees and travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States," all my Iranian friends and I have been so upset. President McDavis has not sent a strong message of support and that has left many people in the community feeling powerless. People I know have been affected by this ban. My friend's Mom was detained at the Frankfurt airport and returned to Iran, and I will miss my sister’s wedding due to the ban.
Recently, a small group of us (Iranian students) organized a protest with chains, and we tried to let people know that we are feel like we have been imprisoned. I saw tears in many passersby's eyes and saw the care they have for us. The Bobcat community also organized a protest on Wednesday and seeing that kindness and support, for me, was the best. Honestly, I did not expect to see that much of support. I have talked to few people and realized they do not have a friend from Iran (or the other six countries that are banned), or interacted with a Muslim. I am so grateful for those people who protested, they all represent the America I had in mind: the America that supports diversity. I am sorry to see that President McDavis has not shown a strong support for the immigrants attending Ohio University and that he did not feel it necessary to talk to people in the protest. I expected him to show up in the sit-in protest.
I am so sorry to see that the Muslim Students Association of Ohio University has not put out a statement about all the recent events and the ban. I remember when there was first talk about a Muslim registry, I called my Muslim friends and I told them I would do whatever I can to help. The awkward silence of the Muslim Student Association at OU is unforgivable. This is a real shame and I hope the Muslim Student Association learns some lessons from the Jewish, Christian, atheist, and gay communities and also from the people who showed up and protested.
As an Iranian I would like to tell all the Bobcats who marched for us that I am so proud of you all. You are amazing. I love you all and I will continue to do all I can to make this country to prosper. God bless all Bobcats, Iran, and the UNITED States of America.
Ali Khaledi Nasab is a Ph.D. candidate of physics at Ohio University from Iran.
