LIBYA
Baha Mabruk calls New Zealand home, he’s been here for 20 years.
A dual citizen, he still has siblings living in Libya and is concerned for all those affected by the ban.
The ban will target the most vulnerable and inject ‘‘a little bit of hate, a little bit of isolation’’ into the world, he says.
‘‘Our people are a little bit vulnerable. Some people are so scared, terrified.’’
Initially, Mabruk thought Trump would be good for the US – that he might address rising inequality in the country and use his business acumen to make gains for the country.
Not anymore.
He has travelled to the US before and would love to spend Christmas in New York but is not so sure now.
‘‘Life is beautiful, why do we have to be banned?’’ he asks. ‘‘As Muslims we have to be defensive all the time.’’ It would be good for New Zealand to raise its voice on the world stage in support of all those affected. ‘‘New Zealand is a role model to the Western world.’’ The real estate agent and his wife Maysoon, who works in a medical lab, have made a good life in New Zealand, he says.
‘‘I love my life, I love the culture – I created a family I didn’t have,’’ he says. But he missed the sunny outlook of Libyan people and the weather. He said there was little he can do but make light of the ‘‘childish’’ ban, however he says it will have serious consequences.
Some people are so scared, terrified.