Editor’s note: This is a first in a series of profile articles on each of the four candidates running for three seats on the city council in the Nov. 5 election.
By K. Mauser, contributor
Billing himself as the first refugee candidate to run for Harrisonburg City Council, Nasser Alsaadun said he hopes to engage a diverse range of city residents in all aspects of Harrisonburg life.
When Alsaadun immigrated to Harrisonburg from Iraq in 2008, he said his family faced many barriers during their acclimation. His wife didn’t speak English when they arrived. It took time to adjust to the differences in cultural values between their old and new countries, and the lack of halal food available locally for purchase was a huge burden.
After driving multiple times a month to Washington, D.C., to buy halal food, Alsaadun decided to open his business — Babylon Cuisine — to serve halal food in Harrisonburg.
Alsaadun, who is running as a Democrat, said this experience helped him understand the importance of small businesses, and will be an asset for his work as a council member.
“Business and small business are the lifeblood of our communities,” said Alleyn Harned, the Harrisonburg Democratic Committee Chair. “That experience is helpful. It should guide him in challenges that he may hear from businesses.”
Bryar Hawez, the current owner of Babylon Cuisine and another immigrant from the Middle East, said Nasser helped him settle in Harrisonburg. Nasser’s assistance was especially critical when it came to transferring the business to Hawez’s name.
“Nasser is a very good person [for] Harrisonburg and the community,” Hawez said. “Nasser is ready to help.”
In addition to championing local businesses, Alsaadun said his priorities as a council member would be preparing the city for climate change, increasing affordable housing, and supporting local schools.
Alsaadun said he wants the city to increase energy efficiency and promote renewable energy. These efforts, along with doing “whatever we can” to eliminate carbon dioxide within Harrisonburg, will ensure the city is prepared for “any climate change,” he said.
“Nasser’s interest in clean energy and environmental issues have [helped] align issues like transportation and housing and childcare that are key elements of interest for the Harrisonburg community,” Harned said, adding that these policies “resonate” with the wider community, too.
Alsaadun’s interest in increasing affordable housing options stems from his experiences renting in the area. He was a tenant in Harrisonburg for 15 years, he said, and struggled with regular rent increases. Because of this, Alsaadun said he hopes to increase the housing supply while promoting zoning reform, to “make it easier for people to live.”
As a teacher for English Language Learners in Rockingham County, Alsaadun also wants to support Harrisonburg schools and teachers by investing in infrastructure, facilities and technology. He said he hopes to increase parental engagement to create more of a school community.
Above all, Alsaadun said he hopes to continue helping the city stay “inclusive” for everyone — “including the refugees and immigrants.”
“It’s very important that we let this part of the population be engaged in the city in different aspects,” Alsaadun said. “We don’t want to have isolated communities.”
To do this, Alsaadun said he plans to bring the community together in spite of language and culture barriers. He said he hopes to set an example for other refugees and immigrants that anyone can run for office, as he became a U.S. citizen only 10 years ago.
Rodrigue Makelele, who has worked with Alsaadun across the community and is an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, said the contributions that Alsaadun will bring to the community are “invaluable” because he’s able to understand the needs of every citizen of Harrisonburg.” Makelele added that Alsaadun is able to hear from and connect with immigrants and refugees to best serve the city.
AnnaMarie Bena, senior vice president for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) said running for office is a way for immigrants and refugees to “give back” to communities that have helped them resettle.
“In many ways, refugees with their extraordinary experiences can bring dynamic and new ideas to work with city councils and other community organizations,” Bena said.
Knowledge about how refugee communities constantly move and migrate is key to cities with high refugee populations such as Harrisonburg, Harned said, which will help Alsaadun’s “excellent” service to his community.
“Nasser and I have known each other for years,” Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed said. “He’s someone who’s been very active in the community … he’s definitely someone who will work well on Council.”
The “patience” and “understanding” that Alsaadun exhibits also will help a wide spectrum of community members, Harned said.
“The role of city council and the service of this citizen body is one that addresses all of the municipal issues that range across the services of the city and the interests of the community,” Harned said. “It is great to see a player on the field who joins two other wonderful, experienced women leaders — our mayor and our Vice Mayor — as a player on the field.”
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