Syrian refugees touched by their Derry welcome

Syrian refugees who recently set up home in Derry have thanked people for the welcome they have received in the city. Around 50 refugees who fled the civil war in Syria were brought to Derry earlier this month. The 13 families have been allocated homes in the cityside area of Derry. An appeal for ‘starter packs’ to welcome the families was a big success with hundreds of packs being donated. A rally was held in the Peace Garden in Derry’s city centre to welcome the Syrian families to Derry. Some of the refugees attended the rally, which was addressed by a number of people, including the Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, and new Foyle MLA Eamonn McCann. Mohamed Ali, who is originally from Egypt but now owns a shop in Derry’s city centre, spoke at the rally on behalf of the refugees. He read a statement from the families in which they thanked the people of Derry for the welcome they had received. The statement read: “We are your brothers and sisters in humanity. The war has exhausted us. We lost our homes, our businesses and work. We lost beloved relatives and friends. “In this difficult and painful time, we knocked on your door, and we asked for your help and you were willing to help. You received us with a warm welcome. You accommodated us between you and among your beloved ones and you accepted us as neighbours. We found love with no shortcomings, which eased our pain and loss. “We often heard the famous Arabic quote, ‘Have mercy on a honorable man of people, who has been humbled. Have mercy on the people whom have been humiliated’. “It means; to respect the human who has been persecuted, or misfortuned with one of the tragedies of life. We used to hear it, say it, and write it on paper. We have witnessed this mercy here from you in your words and actions, this we cannot deny.” The refugees’ statement said they had found ‘comfort, tranquillity, freedom, compassion, mercy and respect for the human values’ in Derry. “Of course, all these things, along with social responsibility are like twins and cannot function without one another. “We know this very well and we will be as responsible as you to develop this beautiful country, because it has people who loved us and we loved them. “It has the peace and safety for us, and it has the freedom and the rights that we have been striving to accomplish. It is our home, which we love, cherish and protect. “We are therefore, unable to thank you enough. A simple ‘thank you’ wouldn’t do justice to our feelings toward you. The love in our hearts towards you expands and grows. We have nothing to give you as an expression of our gratitude, but our love to you and our hands to help you.”