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Compassion is what binds us together

One question that is being asked without adequate research is why Western countries are willing to welcome Syrian refugees, when even the Muslim states are not.
Letter to the Editor
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As Christians living amid a particularly gruesome sectarian conflict, the war has touched Jesse Alkhoury's family in Syria in nightmarish ways. And they are hoping Sudbury will respond at a community meeting Wednesday to send the message to the federal government that this city wants to help. Darren MacDonald photo.
One question that is being asked without adequate research is why Western countries are willing to welcome Syrian refugees, when even the Muslim states are not.

In actual fact, there are about three million refugees who fled to neighbouring countries such as Lebanon (1.14 million), Jordan (608,000) and Turkey (815,000). These refugees are trying to escape the same brutality that we fear — a conflict not of their making — but being embroiled within it nevertheless.

Only compassionate countries, and I direly hope Canada is at the forefront, will think beyond the immediate knee-jerk response, and be willing to understand the plight of the women and children who are trying desperately to escape the violence, and extend a helping hand.

Most of us are immigrants, and we need to reflect on the hopes and aspirations that brought us here. We are a nation of goodness, and it is only love, compassion and sacrifice that will keep binding us together.

Hope, and not fear, is a more powerful force that will keep uniting us, and unite us it will, as it always has.

Riaz Bagha
Sudbury