Dear students of Wash. U.,

Amidst the chaos ensued by President Donald Trump’s travel ban, we the students of the Muslim Students Association (MSA) thought it was important that a Muslim voice is heard loud and clear. This is an incredibly painful time for Muslims not just from the seven countries mentioned in the order, but around the world.

The majority of MSA members have grown up in a post-9/11 world. As unfortunate as it may sound, we are used to people telling us that our religion breeds terrorism, that we have no place here and that we should go back home (however ridiculous that may be considering how many Muslims are born and raised in the United States). However, the rise of Islamophobia since Trump’s campaign has been shocking, even to us. Muslims have been in America since slaves were brought here in chains. We, too, are critical members of the foundation of this great nation. To ban other Muslims from joining this beautiful country is not just inhumane, it is un-American.

As American Muslims, we have tried to rebuke those who try to bring down an entire religion based on the actions of a few. It is frustrating that people can differentiate White Christians from the Westboro Baptist Church, the Ku Klux Klan and people like Dylann Roof, but cannot do the same with 1.6 billion Muslims and ISIS, a terrorist organization that is a product of American intervention in the Middle East. It is equally frustrating to know that the members of our government who last year spoke out about this very ban are turning their backs on us out of cowardice and the notion of “party over humanity.” Refugees pose no threat to this country—in fact we benefit from them economically, academically and culturally. After all the instability America has created in these countries, we have an obligation to protect these humans and to open our arms to all that they offer.

The scariest part of all this is knowing that the ban could be just the beginning. So many members of the Wash. U. Muslim community are affected by this executive order. They cannot go home, they cannot see their family, they cannot see their friends. But what more will happen over the next four years? Will any of us be able to travel freely? Will we still be able to speak our minds, share our knowledge, engage in our community? We’ve seen what bans based on religion and nationality have led to before. History has not remembered these moments, or the people involved—whether they offered open support or quietly did nothing—kindly.

From volunteering with local refugees every week to supporting organizations that feed the homeless of St. Louis, we will continue to work towards a better community for everyone. The Wash. U. MSA will stand every day to protect the rights and liberties of every American and every oppressed group around the world. In times of need, we promise to be there to support you, fight for you and lend you our ears. Right now and over the next four years, we hope that you will do the same for us.