Syrian refugees celebrate their first Canada Day in Ottawa
For the 28,640 Syrian refugees who have landed in Canada since last November, Friday’s festivities were exceptionally special, marking their first Canada Day in their new home.
While the Aun family, who came to Canada in February, didn’t celebrate by attending a backyard barbecue on account of Ramadan, the father of four, 42-year-old Wael Aun, said they planned to do something else quintessentially Canadian —watch fireworks.
Wael pointed out the window of their 17th-floor apartment on Donald Street. “I think they’re there,” he said. Wael came to Canada accompanied by his wife, Wafaa, 38, and their children, Khaled, 18, Hussein, 13, Khadijah, 9, and Mariam, 2. The family of six came from Syria via Jordan to flee the civil war in their home country.
“My family is very lucky,” said Wael, through a translator app on his phone. “We’re very happy.”
Before coming to Canada, Wael said he worked as an upholsterer and selling furniture. He also showed a photo of an apple farm in Syria where he said he used to work.
He said Syria was very beautiful before all the fighting broke out. Now, he said it’s not the same. But although the family has fled a country they loved, Canada, said Wael, had a warm reception for them.
“The people in Canada are very good,” he said. “Everybody here smiles.”
Despite his struggles speaking English, Wael wants to get a job in Canada and settle here for good.
“I don’t think we’re going to go back to Syria.”
Outside the family’s apartment, there were other Syrian refugees gathered to celebrate their new country’s birthday, including Moheialden Algazaly, 40, and his daughter, nine-year-old Waroud.
Waroud waved a Canadian flag and sported two maple leaf cheek tattoos.
The pair came to Canada in June, and so far they said it’s been really good.
“Everything in Canada I like,” said Waroud.