Greet refugees with compassion

As a granddaughter of an immigrant, I find myself very interested in the plight of the refugees from Syria.

According to the media, there are naysayers in our communities who fear ISIS infiltrating the refugee population. Let us remember that the 25,000 refugees that will be coming to our country by the end of February are presently living in refugee camps in Turkey and Jordan. These families have been living in very primitive conditions for the past four or five years. The children in these camps are dreaming of the day when their lives will be normal.

As Canadians, we can provide that hope. We can fulfill their dream of a better life. Our children are privileged to live in a bountiful country just because they were fortunate enough to be born in Canada. Not all children in the world are as blessed.

Yes, we do have poor people in Canada that need help. But just imagine living in a canvass tent for four or five years, regardless of the weather. These people are poor beyond our wildest imagination.

No doubt, when the refugees first arrive, there will be a strain on our health-care system but things will get better. These refugees will get established in our communities and they will find their way in our society. We must remember that the refugees are not fleeing poverty. They are fleeing the terrorists in their own countries. They will come to our country with skillsets that will enable them to earn a living. The refugees are not looking for a handout. They are looking for a hand-up.

Nova Scotia needs more people. Our schools need more students. Muslims are not to be feared. We have many hard-working Muslims in Cape Breton. They can be found working in our hospitals, our schools and other work environments or studying at Cape Breton University. They are doing what the rest of us are doing ... living a peaceful life.

Let us give others that are less fortunate a taste of what life in our country will provide. We are proud Canadians. Canadians are known around the world as kind, compassionate people. Let us reach out to our Muslim neighbours who might have concerns about their personal safety. We hear media reports from other parts of Canada that Muslims and their way of life have been targeted.

As Cape Bretoners, we take great pride in the words of Leon Dubinsky’s song: “We rise again in the faces of our children.” Our children are Scottish, Polish, Mi’kmaq, Jewish, Irish, many others and, yes, Muslim.

They are all our children! Yvonne Kennedy Homeville