Drowned Syrian toddler’s family reunited

Relatives of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian boy who drowned when his boast capsized off the coast of Turkey, arrived in Canada today as the nation’s newest refugees.

He died alongside his mother and five-year-old brother who, like so many Syrian refugees before and since, were driven by desperation to attempt the unsafe boat crossing from Turkey to Greece.

Mohammed Kurdi, his wife and five children wiped away tears when they were greeted by a party of welcomers with Canadian flags and balloons as well as Tima Kurdi, his sister and private sponsor for coming to Canada.

Abdullah has chosen not to come to Canada to be with his sister and brother, staying instead in Syrian Kurdistan. However, she said that she understands its power.

His son, 14-year-old Shergo Kurdi, echoed his father’s sentiments, adding he was happy to be returning to school soon and starting a new life. “It was really emotional”, Tima Kurdi said, translating for her brother as he spoke of holding the little boy for the first time.

Tima had previously tried to sponsor Mohammed’s family to come to Canada as refugees, but the application was rejected because they lacked a key United Nations form.

Mohammed Kurdi has been in Germany since leaving his wife and four kids seven months ago to find work.

“My message to the refugees and to people who struggle all over the world, I’m just going to tell them, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel”, said Tima to a crush of reporters who had gathered to mark the official welcome. Ottawa said it never received the applications.

“It’s always unfortunate that it takes tragedy to mobilize the global community, but certainly in this case, that’s what happened”, he said. They’re like every single one of us in the West.

Earlier in the day, Kurdi told CTV News Channel that while the tragedy involving her nephew has been very painful for the entire family, she hopes it serves as a reminder to the world of the plight of refugees fleeing violence.

Canadian Immigration Minister John McCallum said last week that the government would likely not meet its target of receiving 10,000 Syrian refugees by January 1.

Tima Kurdi said it’s important that governments around the world continue to welcome refugees. “We made it nice and comfy”, she said. Tima Kurdi is opening a hair salon in Port Coquitlam, B.C., called Kurdi Hair Design, where she will work alongside Mohammed, who ran a barbershop in Syria.

“That hurts me even more”, she says, tears slowly streaming down her face.

“Abdullah, all of us here, we wish you were here with us”.