On January 27th 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order which shut the U.S border to Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Yemen and Somalian nationals - seven predominantly Muslim countries.
Sparking protests worldwide, the outrage towards Trump’s travel ban has been clear, however less certain is the effect that this is having on those that are directly affected by the ban, and more specifically - the artists that are trying to survive in a world that is shutting them out.
Omar Souleyman, the Four-Tet produced Syrian singer who has collaborated with the likes of and Björk and performed at the Nobel Peace Prize concert, has felt the force of Trump’s presidency.
Five years ago, he moved to Turkey to flee the war at home in Syria. However despite having a new album on the way, having played some of the biggest festivals in the world, touring the US 16 times already, and promoting his ‘Americans love me, and I sing about love only’ message across his social media - he’s currently facing huge obstacles with his US tour.
The court did rule that President Trump’s ban was unlawful and had to be lifted, but Souleyman’s manager, Mina Tosti, says there’s still a long way to go.
“No one has thought of the artists -i.e. temporary immigrants under the Non Immigrant Visa classification of that particular type - which Omar and his band have. Those stand for Individual with Extraordinary Ability/and other individuals assisting them - (i.e. a band member).
And despite the ruling that Trump isn’t actually allowed to enforce his travel ban, Mina is conscious that this is only the beginning of what’s set to be an ongoing issue.
“The Government will still take this issue further up the legal chain - to the Supreme Court and of course then the issue will drag for months.
Omar remains super keen to go to the US and join his fans. Also the new album release is coming up and we have been working on the new album, as well as touring for many months now,” said Mina, a few weeks after the initial travel ban had been lifted.
“That is all an enormous undertaking on the side of the artists and if he isn’t able to enter the US at the end of it all- the consequences for us - morally as well as financially - are huge.”
What’s worrying is the long term effects here, and that there’s almost a rippling effect of hate being felt across the board for Muslims in the music industry, from established artists to those that are up and coming.
UK R&B singer Leo Kalyan hasn’t been to the states this year, but that hasn’t stopped him from feeling the affect of Trump’s actions.
“I had a couple of really vile direct messages on Instagram and Twitter after Trump was elected. Not particularly pleasant considering I’m a gay guy from a Muslim background.”
Hopes that the situation might improve aren’t high, especially when reflecting on pre-Trump America and the prejudice that already existed.
“Every time I've been in the past I'm asked the most ridiculous questions at Immigration
in a separate room, for about half an hour.” Leo recalls.
“It’s always during a so-called ‘random check’. Its like I’m gay, brown skinned and have a Muslim surname. Triple whammy.”
But what about those that are currently living in the US? One musician, who prefers to remain nameless, had bookings in the UK over the past few weeks but the travel ban has deterred him from leaving, in fear he may not be able to get back in to the country.
Even if he’s legally allowed to be in the US, the fear of being victimised in a country whose government so clearly don’t want you to be there is unimaginable - especially as in some cases, nationals from the seven ‘banned’ countries are in America as a result of being forced out of their home country.
This of course isn’t an isolated issue, and goes far further than just the music industry, but the effect of a Trump-ruled America on Muslim artists’ livelihood cannot be ignored, particularly when musicians are so publicly a target for hate.
