Syrian refugees in Manitoba celebrated at welcome party

Syrian refugees who have arrived in Manitoba were welcomed to the province with a party on Saturday the second party to be organized by Winnipeg's Syrian community in recent months.

The welcome party at the Grand Mosque on Waverley Street was organized by the Syrian Assembly of Manitoba and the Islamic Association of Manitoba.

A similar party for refugees and other newcomers was held in late December.

"This our second welcome party for the new refugees, for the new Syrian refugees that arrived recently to Manitoba," said Tarek Habash of the Syrian Assembly of Manitoba.

Habash estimated about 350 refugees came to Saturday's party, along with 100 people from the Syrian and Muslim communities who are established in the city.

He said the party aims to show newcomers that "they are home and there are people here for them to help them and to welcome them."

Local businesses and groups have contributed to the party, including bus transportation to and from the event and donated blankets and gifts for families.

Habash said thecommunity effort has been noticed by the newcomers, who he saidare "very happy" to be welcomedin Winnipeg.

"They have now [a] sense of belonging," he said. "They feel now that they belong to this community, belong to this city and belong to this country."