On behalf of the 51°µÍø, we say 'Welcome to Jasper—Ahlan wa sahlan' to our new Syrian neighbours who arrived in Jasper last week.
For months we’ve watched from afar as Syria has been torn apart by war.
We’ve watched people flee their homes, taking life-threatening risks to find safety.
The images have been shocking, gut wrenching and incomprehensible.
As Canadians—and, more specifically, Jasperites—there is no way we can fully grasp the pictures we’ve seen or the stories we’ve heard out of Syria. Most of us have never seen anything like it, except perhaps on TV.
Our quiet little town has never seen war and our families have never been at risk. We’ve lived in peace and security, surrounded by majestic mountains and glacial-fed lakes, with rogue wildlife as our biggest threat.
We need to remember this as we welcome our newest residents to town.
Hassan, Omayea and Reham arrived last week after a 29-hour journey from Beruit. The family of three had been living in Lebanon for months, after leaving their homeland in search of refuge.
They are among thousands of Syrians who now call Canada home and who are adjusting to a life in a new country halfway across the world.
Jasper has anticipated the family’s arrival for months—ever since Nancy Addison and Dave Neilson started the sponsorship process last November—and with that anticipation has come much excitement.
As Jasperites, we’re known for our welcoming, open and accepting nature—as well as our enthusiasm—and as such we are all keen to pass on that welcome to Hassan, Omayea and Reham.
But, in these early days, as they settle into our community, we need to remember that they have just made a life-changing move and, as much as we’d love to shower them with gifts and words of welcome, right now we need to respect their space and privacy as they adjust to their new lives.
We will all have plenty of time to get to know them as they integrate into Jasper life, so rather than overwhelming them in their first few days in town, let’s give them the opportunity to make that transition on their own time.
Hassan, Omayea and Reham: we hope we’ll bump into you on the street sometime soon. But, until then, we would like to extend our warmest welcome. We hope you settle in and find peace in Jasper.
Ahlan wa sahlan.
