Nader Deflects Negative Stigma Through The Global Game
When the news broke out that President Trump had signed an executive order that banned travel to seven Muslim-majority countries, Ammeen Nader felt a moment of pure discontent. Being an Iranian-American athlete, he felt directly connected to this dilemma.
“It definitely closes that opportunity for Muslim athletes to come to America now”, said Nader, a former high-school goalkeeper at Panther Creek High School.
Ammeen Nader was a four year varsity goalkeeper for men’s soccer at Panther Creek High School. Having grown up in the affluent and diverse area of North Carolina known as The Triangle, Nader played with players with a variety of different backgrounds.
People of different cultures have culminated into one strong community as people have moved to The Triangle for jobs in The Research Triangle Park from many countries around the world. This culmination of people has influenced the views Nader has on immigration and diversity. He believes the President’s ban is completely immoral.
“It’s not okay to ban people based on stereotypical views created by the few bad apples”, said Nader.
Nader also went on to say “It definitely closes that opportunity for Muslim athletes to come to America now.” “There’s people who have work visas for playing sports here and now they have to be sent back”, he added.
Youssef Dahouz is a soccer trainer for professional soccer players in North Carolina and a native of Morroco. Being a Muslim himself, Dahouz had similar views on President Trump’s travel ban.
“In football, we have players with different religions and backgrounds, so it hinders that aspect of diversity”, said Dahouz.
Dahouz came to the United States many years ago and believes this is one of the greatest countries on Earth. The blockade this executive order has created has been rumored to possibly expand should the President add more countries to the list. Any Arab country is essentially at risk of being included in the travel ban should President Trump see fit. Dahouz may not be able to visit his family back home should these potential changes occur.
Dahouz said that this travel ban “Can affect anything, not just football”.
The idea that people cannot go home to see their families, or get stuck in other countries while visiting them or even being sent back to their homelands is shocking for the Arabic and Muslim community, as well as other people who are for diversity in this country.
There is a positive light in the midst of all the chaos caused by Trump’s ban. Nader, Dahouz and Ariel Marlowe, a former operations team member at the North Carolina Football Club all believe that the majority of Americans are standing with the Arabic community.
“This ban is already being overruled by Federal judges who deem it unjust”, said Marlowe.
Marlowe’s connections with players with diverse backgrounds, including players from the Middle East, has allowed him to stand with the Arabic Community and support those people he cares for.
Ammeen Nader also said that “it’s nice to see other people who are not affected helping to stop this ban from hurting more people”, citing the sanctuary city leaders who have spoken out against Trump’s ban in defiance.
The future is unclear for Muslim-American athletes at the moment, but those have been affected by the travel ban and those who are standing with them are making an impact on creating change. Muslim-Americans may struggle as a whole as they have for over 15 years now, but the rulings by judges and peaceful protests are just the start of what could be a peaceful ending to a harsh executive order.
