Let’s compare and contrast. Thanks to the global news media, by now the world knows that Americans are xenophobes who want to ban not just Syrian immigrants but all Muslims from entering the country. Radio Hall of Famer Neal Boortz isn’t at all impressed with a small group who gathered in Stone Mountain, Ga., a day before National Refugee Sunday, to welcome Syrian immigrants with signs declaring “Welcome Y’all” and “Christ is a Refugee.”
These blithering fools just HAD to come from Decatur (near Atlanta). Tell me I'm wrong. pic.twitter.com/3Y3zxBBqBy
— Neal Boortz (@Talkmaster) December 13, 2015
Compare that to Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself personally met 163 new arrivals from Beirut at the airport and helped hand out warm winter coats. Even more touching was a video made by a Canadian children’s’ choir singing in Arabic to welcome the Syrian refugees. According to Global Montreal, the video has gone viral and has the Internet in tears.
This video of kids singing in Arabic to welcome Syrian refugees has the internet in tearshttps://t.co/SsFe9Q3qan pic.twitter.com/Pffp3atbqE
— Global Montreal (@Global_Montreal) December 12, 2015
My entire family cried at seeing this: #Canadian children sang an ancient Arabic song of welcome to #Syrian refugees https://t.co/CSpwvcqC49
— Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) December 12, 2015
https://twitter.com/YasserKsf/status/675833814208221184
Daniel Dale, a scrooge from the Toronto Star, had his doubts about the heartwarming story, though.
Everything about this viral story screams hoax – has anyone actually confirmed the details? https://t.co/8gqESMXYyl
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 13, 2015
The editor of BuzzFeed Canada said it appears real.
@CraigSilverman @christindal it was indeed done as a welcome for refugees?
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 13, 2015
@ddale8 @christindal I first thought it might be an old vid but seems was recorded recently and for that purpose. But still checking context
— Craig Silverman (@CraigSilverman) December 13, 2015
@CraigSilverman @christindal I'm going to be a truther until then
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 13, 2015
@ddale8 @christindal the skepticism is warranted!
— Craig Silverman (@CraigSilverman) December 13, 2015
@ddale8 Nowhere does it say that this was performed for the Syrians, or even that it was performed recently. Global made that up.
— Matthew Wells (@10CLS) December 13, 2015
@10CLS it's not just Global – there've been a bunch of articles and tweets like it. I don't see any confirmation whatsoever
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/AndrewJoePotter/status/675833562466156544
https://twitter.com/vinefan99/status/675835137305673728
Exactly. And that’s what matters.
https://twitter.com/kdm_TO/status/675838972539588608
Canadian children sang an ancient Arabic song of welcome to Syrian refugees https://t.co/Ocn9O1jAiO pic.twitter.com/gkf5p0w2Tk
— The Independent (@Independent) December 12, 2015
The Independent did publish a piece on the video on Friday, under the very specific headline, “Canadian children performed the same song for refugees that was sung to Mohamed when he sought refuge.” The newspaper even included the lyrics:
Oh the white moon rose over us
From the valley of Wada’
And we owe it to show gratefulness
Where the call is to AllahOh you, who were raised among us
Coming with a word to be obeyed
You have brought to this city nobleness,
Welcome best caller to God’s way
A commenter on the Independent’s story, however, said that her daughter was part of the choir performance on Dec. 3, “a beautiful event where kids sang in many languages including this very touching Arabic song.” However, she added, “It’s not related to refugees!”
@Independent Sang an ancient Islamic song ~ Syrian republic is secular, refugees not all Muslim ~ secular song would've been more inclusive
— Moderate Opponent (@ModerateOpp) December 12, 2015
But the original was such a great story it had the Internet in tears! Why would reporters ruin that with facts?
Join the conversation as a VIP Member