Pakistani Fulbright scholar barred from entering US

Photo: courtesy Facebook/Zia Hussain Syed

A Karachi-based Fulbright scholar’s life was changed after he was barred from travelling to US for reasons unknown.

Zia Hussain Syed, a student of University of Chicago, talked to Geo.tv about the incident shedding light on the impact certain administrative decisions have on lives of people.

“I had just returned with one suitcase not knowing this will happen. All my documents, souvenirs are there,” he said, adding that he is also learning to cope with living without all his belongings.

Syed, a Lahore University of Management Sciences alumnus, said that he had returned to Karachi in December last year for winter vacations, after completing his first semester at the University of Chicago.

Little did he know that just in a month his life would be overturned. On January 4, he was excited to return back to US but was unexpectedly stopped by the officials at Karachi airport despite having all the relevant documents.

Syed was pursuing a degree in Islamic Studies from University of Chicago’s Divinity School. He has also taken courses and studied Persian and Arabic and was focusing on Early Islamic Mysticism.

When asked about his choice of subject, he remarked that there is a dearth of Islamic scholarship in Pakistan. He is also the co-founder of Ravvish, a project which endeavours to build peace between different religions.

However, in the entire process he claims to be overwhelmed with the type of support he has received. His friends and professors from University of Chicago along with Fulbright officials have been very supportive. “People I barely knew before also reached out me,” he said.

Syed has been given an official leave of absence till the start of the new semester in September. “I have all the relevant documents just need a visa now [to go back to continue his education at the university]” he said.

The reasons why he was stopped remain unclear, soon after this incident Trump’s administration had announced ban on seven Muslim countries (in which Pakistan was not included).

In 2014, he also went on a US government-sponsored undergraduate cultural exchange programme to American University in Washington.

When asked how he is dealing with the situation, he told Geo.tv an anecdote. He said that in his university, students had to write reflection journals but he did not follow the practice regularly. Going through the phase, his friends encouraged him to start writing reflection journals again.

“When I opened my reflection journal, I found the word ‘Patience’ written on it,” The word was enough to remind him of the Sufi path he has chosen to take. A Sufi's path is riddled with pain, he said.

“I don’t want to blame anyone or hold anyone responsible for this.” However, through this incident he wants to raise awareness about the importance of speaking about the injustice.

“I want all the people who have dealt with injustice to raise their voice. One decision can have a lasting impact on others’ lives. Authorities with decision making powers should realise that one decision can affect someone’s life, career, family among others."

As for his future plans, he is going to wait till September and apply for visa once again. However, if that does not pan out then he hopes to go to UK for further studies.

Sadly, many UK universities do not take transfer credits, he remarked, adding that he will again have to apply to universities from scratch.

“In the meantime, I have settled in Karachi at my family home and started working for The Citizens Foundation. I hope to start working with students and teachers in interior Sindh near my hometown in Thatta over the summers under Ravvish,” he shared in a Facebook post.

“There is still hope that things will sort out soon and I will continue my education. If not, indeed God's plans are better than ours,” he added.