Syrian refugees invited to celebrate Christmas Eve with Winnipeg family

It`s been a week of firsts for a family of Syrian refugees who recently escaped the war-torn region.  First time in Winnipeg, first time seeing snow and now, their first Christmas Eve celebration. 

Winnipegger Qahtan Nami met the family of seven at James Richardson Airport last Saturday and decided he wanted to show them a Canadian Christmas. 

Although Nami is Muslim, he says he began embracing certain aspects of the Christmas holiday traditions about five years ago.

"It became more of a tradition. Everybody celebrates and so we're in the mood, and our kids, they're looking [forward] to Christmas, so what makes people happy, makes me happy," he said.

He wanted to extend the same generosity he received when he first arrived in Winnipeg from Libya over a decade ago as a student.

"I hope they take away that there are people who will welcome them in Winnipeg," he said.

Nami says the Alaskar family — who arrived on a flight from Jordan — are doing their best to adjust to their new lives in Winnipeg.

The father of the refugee family, Mosa Alaskar, says the support he's received from the community since his arrival will make adjusting to life in Winnipeg easier. Over the last four days, Alaskar says numerous volunteers offered assistance.

As for the Christmas Eve menu, Nami says they will try to stick with Syrian fare for the night.

"We going to try to make it close to what Syrian food is...we're not familiar with it, but we are trying and hope they like it."