Canadian children had the sweetest welcome for Syrian refugees

Late on Thursday night the first 163 of a planned 25,000 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada, and were greeted and given winter coats by prime minister Justin Trudeau.

“Tonight they step off the plane as refugees, but they walk out of this terminal as permanent residents of Canada,” Trudeau told government employees at the airport, according to the New York Times.

Welcome to Canada. pic.twitter.com/xEOn44GjJF

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 11, 2015

World Vision Canada has been collecting messages for the refugees resettling, and they are incredibly heartwarming.

*Wipes tears*

The day after their arrival, a video of a choir singing one of the oldest songs in the Islamic culture, Tala’ al Badru ‘Alayna, surfaced on YouTube.

It’s an incredibly symbolic song, having been sung when Prophet Mohammed arrived in Medina after having fled his home in Mecca as a refugee.

Canadians used the hashtag #WelcomeToCanada to greet the refugees with an outpouring of support.

Dear refugees, we want you here. We are glad you came. Wishing you peace and love here in your new home. #WelcomeToCanada

— Meaghan Smith (@MeaghanSmith) December 11, 2015

I may have moved for work, but my heart could not be more in Canada right now. A big hug to all the Syrian refugees. #WelcomeToCanada <3 xo

— Lilly Singh (@IISuperwomanII) December 12, 2015

So proud to be Canadian! First refugees have arrived. I live in a country that is choosing compassion over fear. Amazing! #WelcomeToCanada

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— Julie-Anne Mauno (@julieannemauno) December 11, 2015

You are here and you are safe. You are here and you are loved. You are here and you can stay. Never been more proud. #WelcomeToCanada

— Riley Lange (@rileylange) December 11, 2015

#WelcomeToCanada I can't wait to share my beautiful country with amazing people who deserve it after all they've been through,welcome home

— Alexe (@darksoulatl) December 11, 2015

#WelcomeToCanada my home is now your home, my country is now your country, and this safety is now your safety

— BriBri (@BriannaErnest) December 11, 2015

Tears couldn't have fell faster than when I read the #WelcomeToCanada tweets

— Alvi Rahman (@AsmilealittleR) December 11, 2015

And the love being shown to people fleeing Syria and refugee camps in the surrounding countries has made some Americans jealous.

I feel like Canada is doing everything better than the U.S. right now. Canadians, would you please adopt Michigan? Thanks.

— Joshua Parker (@JRRParker) December 12, 2015

Let’s just all learn from Canada and live by this piece of advice.

Be the Canada of human beings.

— summer. (@SummerNazif) December 12, 2015