Celebrating Eid al-Adha Amid Uncertainty
In West Oakland on Friday morning, hundreds gathered at Raimondi Park to observe Eid al-Adha. Men and women alike removed their shoes and spread their prayer mats on designated areas, with men praying on a large white tarp on the baseball field while women worshipped under a tent. Community leader Ali Albasiery warmly greeted participants with friendly gestures, despite the palpable tension in the air.
New Travel Restrictions Stir Anxiety
Although the festivities provided a moment of unity, many attendees were deeply troubled by President Trump’s decision to reinstate a travel ban targeting citizens from 12 countries. The restrictions, set to take effect on Monday, affect individuals from nations including Yemen, Sudan, Afghanistan, and others. According to the newly reissued policy, travel from additional countries will also be curtailed, with the aim of addressing security concerns and visa overstay issues.
Albasiery, a Yemeni-born business owner in Oakland, expressed his concern as he noted that the ban has intensified the fear and uncertainty among immigrants. “Everybody is scared,” he observed, describing scenes of rushing and panic among those who recently obtained visas and were eager to join their families in the United States. Many worry about being turned back at the border amid these sudden changes.
Community Voices and Deep-Seated Worries
Local community members have not only been affected by the threat of deportation or travel hindrances but also by the far-reaching impact on their loved ones back home. Waleed Nasser, a San Leandro resident originally from Yemen, voiced his dismay over what he described as a discriminatory measure. Together with his 19-year-old son Mohammed, he attended the prayers, their conversation marked by anxiety over the travel ban’s consequences overseas. Mohammed lamented that “there’s nothing to celebrate when your close Muslim brothers and sisters are struggling back home. People can’t get food. Children are dying,” highlighting the dire situation in conflict-torn regions such as Yemen, where prolonged war has resulted in severe humanitarian crises.
Others in the community, like Alaa Suliman from Hayward, expressed that this new round of restrictions is particularly painful given the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which has already claimed thousands of lives. Many immigrants in the Bay Area, representing a diverse diaspora from countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, and others, fear that the travel ban will lead to tragic separations and hinder efforts to support families in crisis overseas.
Local Reflections and the Path Forward
While the Eid al-Adha celebrations continue with a focus on community and togetherness, the looming threat of the travel ban casts a long shadow over the festivities. Organizers and local leaders stress the urgency of addressing the broader implications of these policies, which many see as rooted in xenophobia and an erosion of immigrant rights. At the heart of the community’s response is a commitment to help one another during these uncertain times, whether by providing support to newly arrived visa holders or rallying for a more inclusive approach.
As families gather to share a meal and momentarily set aside their worries—often with cake and sandwiches shared among relatives—the underlying anxiety remains. The travel ban not only disrupts the lives of those directly affected but also stokes fears about the future of a region known for its rich diversity and resilient immigrant communities.
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