A heartwarming welcome to Syrian refugees from Canada's schoolchildren

A heartwarming welcome to Syrian refugees from Canada's schoolchildren
Canadian school children ended a carol concert by singing a traditional Islamic song used by Medina residents to welcome the Prophet Mohammed to the city.
2 min read
13 Dec, 2015
Canada has been praised for its welcome to Syrian refugees [youtube]

Five hundred Canadian school children have welcomed the arrival of Syrian refugees to the country by performing a rendition of an Arabic-language song that was used to greet the Prophet Mohammed as he sought refuge in Medina.

Talaa al-Badru Alayna became the tender finale to a Christmas carol concert at a French-language secondary school in Ontario, Canada.

Rima, one of the Arabic-speaking girls participating in the choir, told Huffington Post Arabic that she helped her classmates to understand the words of the anthem.


She said the training lasted for almost a month "and it was difficult at first for my friends because they do not know Arabic".

The gesture has brought much support and admiration from social media users, who are touched by the solidarity shown by the Canadian children.

Many said that it brought them "renewed faith in humanity", and described the scene as "heartwarming".

Talaa al-Badru Alayna is a traditional Islamic song that the Prophet Mohammed's helpers sang to him when he arrived at Medina after facing persecution in Mecca. 

At over 1400 years old, it is one of the oldest in Islamic culture.

The full moon rose over us
From the valley of Wada
And it is incumbent upon us to show gratitude
For as long as anyone in existence calls out to God
Oh our Messenger among us
Who comes with the exhortations to be heeded
You have brought to this city nobility
Welcome you who call us to a good way