Jaimito Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 this is the family of that dead 2 year old Syrian boy on the beach. Family of Alan Kurdi embraces hockey - http://a.msn.com/r/2/BBqG9GD?ocid=News VANCOUVER - Almost immediately after Shergo Kurdi arrived in Canada, he picked up a hockey stick. The 15-year-old is the cousin of Alan Kurdi, the two-year-old boy who became a symbol of the Syrian refugee crisis when his lifeless body was photographed on a Turkish beach last September. Just a few months ago, Shergo was working in a clothing factory in Turkey to help support his family after they fled the war in Syria. On Saturday, he met his goalie idol Kirk McLean and watched the St. Louis Blues practice at Rogers Arena. "My team is Canucks, and I like to play goalie," said Shergo, clad in a Vancouver Canucks jersey and clutching a signed photograph of McLean. The grinning teenager was one of 13 refugee youth who toured the arena as part of an event arranged by non-profit organization S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and the Vancouver Canucks, with help from a federal government grant, to introduce newly-arrived Syrians to Canadian culture through hockey. As Shergo sat in the stands with his father Mohammad Kurdi and brothers and sisters, the moment couldn't have been more different from his old life. His Metro Vancouver-based aunt, Tima Kurdi, has said while in Turkey he couldn't go to school and had to work to help his family. When the photograph of little Alan surfaced, it sparked international outcry and placed pressure on Canada to welcome more Syrians. Alan's father, Abdullah, attempted the treacherous crossing from Turkey to Greece after Mohammad's refugee application was rejected by Canadian authorities. The government later invited Mohammad to apply again, and the family of seven arrived in Metro Vancouver in late December. "Since the first day they arrived in Canada, I remember (Shergo) went outside and he picked up the hockey stick," said Tima's son Alan Kerim. "They started playing hockey and since that day, they loved the sport. So now to get this opportunity and to come see this on the ice and meet Kirk McLean, it was a great experience for them." Kerim said Shergo had never played before but has been getting "pretty good," and though he isn't on a team he regularly plays street hockey. After all his cousins had been through, Kerim, who was born and raised in Canada, said it was great to see. "Now they just live their normal lives, playing hockey, going to school. It's nice to see." Shergo's sisters, 16-year-old Heveen and nine-year-old Ranim, both said their favourite players were Henrik and Daniel Sedin. "Very nice day today," said Heveen, wearing a toque that read "Canada" and carrying a hand-drawn "Go Canucks Go" sign. "I like to watch hockey." Mohammad has been working with his sister Tima at their salon Kurdi Hair Design in Port Coquitlam. He is still learning English, but said, with his daughter acting as translator, he is "very happy." Some 23 refugees, including youth and their parents, took part in the tour, which was also attended by Immigration Minister John McCallum. The kids met Canucks mascot Fin, saw the team's dressing room and were set to watch the game later Saturday. "We Canadians hold deep value in this game," said Queenie Choo, chief executive officer of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. "It's a way to learn about Canadian culture and Canadian living through a sport." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googlie Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Some US friends watching the game with me, were flabbergasted - their stereotypes shattered. I've copied this and sent it to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuporbust Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFK Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Thanks for the post. This is great to see. Nicely done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-DLC- Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Love this, thanks for sharing this here, as a thread. You know, when my own life was torn apart and everything around my children and I was falling apart, hockey was a huge "go to" for us that took us away from it all, even if momentarily. It provided fun, laughter, a chance to bond and some life long memories that have now helped to fade the painful ones. It helped my son, in particular, get through it all and I am extremely grateful that we had something to hold on to. It explains some of my loyalty ("homerism") to a team that was there when the walls were crumbling in around my children and I (literally as well as figuratively). This is part of "family" to us. And I am always so thrilled when I see others getting the same opportunity to find some reprieve here, with our hockey family. I was so extremely proud in seeing these clips. If we can share our (Western/Canadian) culture with others it helps bridge gaps and unites us. And how awesome that this family is embracing it....much love to them in their new journey here. We are all Canucks. ♥ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X-PatLostInEdm Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 4 hours ago, Googlie said: Some US friends watching the game with me, were flabbergasted - their stereotypes shattered. I've copied this and sent it to them. It's a nice story, but hardly flabbergasting. They come from a country currently suffering through a civil with their violent dictatorship of a government and also having an even more violent crew of religious nutjobs trying to overrun them. If it was me in that situation, I'd be ecstatic to be pretty much anywhere else. And your friends find this surprising? Are they Trumpies, maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higgyfan Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 2 minutes ago, X-PatLostInEdm said: It's a nice story, but hardly flabbergasting. They come from a country currently suffering through a civil with their violent dictatorship of a government and also having an even more violent crew of religious nutjobs trying to overrun them. If it was me in that situation, I'd be ecstatic to be pretty much anywhere else. And your friends find this surprising? Are they Trumpies, maybe? America has become a very fearful nation. Their view of the world is tainted by this fear. Many of them think Trump will fix things so they don't have to live in fear anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X-PatLostInEdm Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 4 minutes ago, higgyfan said: America has become a very fearful nation. Their view of the world is tainted by this fear. Many of them think Trump will fix things so they don't have to live in fear anymore. Well, I don't really want to get into that in a feel good hockey thread. Suffice to say, I'm surprised by their surprise. That's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckylager Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 I am such a homer. I get all misty reading that article, then Debs comment... Sigh. Wipe the single tear rolling down my cheek. Thanks for posting, Jaimito. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higgyfan Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 3 hours ago, X-PatLostInEdm said: Well, I don't really want to get into that in a feel good hockey thread. Suffice to say, I'm surprised by their surprise. That's all. Yeah, good point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homersexual Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 8 hours ago, Googlie said: Some US friends watching the game with me, were flabbergasted - their stereotypes shattered. I've copied this and sent it to them. Honest question. What was their stereotype? That they all had bombs strapped to them at all times? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanaholic Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 ONE of the BEST posts I have read on this site. Thanks for sharing . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6YPE Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Nice story, good for PR.... having said that, there are a lot of underprivileged local children who love hockey and love the Canucks who never get gifted these types of things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACanuck Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 10 hours ago, Googlie said: Some US friends watching the game with me, were flabbergasted - their stereotypes shattered. I've copied this and sent it to them. 1 hour ago, homersexual said: Honest question. What was their stereotype? That they all had bombs strapped to them at all times? 5 hours ago, higgyfan said: America has become a very fearful nation. Their view of the world is tainted by this fear. Many of them think Trump will fix things so they don't have to live in fear anymore. Where on earth do people come up with this stuff. America like Canada has varied opinions on every matter of subject. Just because mainstream media post a rally with people for Trump doesn't mean "America" is all behind him. If you do then you need to stop paying attention to the media, not a single place in the world where the media doesn't control what they put out. And all media is either owned by some rich person or the government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimito Posted March 20, 2016 Author Share Posted March 20, 2016 11 minutes ago, 6YPE said: Nice story, good for PR.... having said that, there are a lot of underprivileged local children who love hockey and love the Canucks who never get gifted these types of things. True, it is very symbolic gesture. However, Canucks and other charities do give a lot to the community that doesn't get the same media attention as this. It is a sport anyhow, not food, medicine or shelter. Having said that, I can't help notice he is wearing a jersey with a cup final patch, #17. Someone donated a Kesler jersey! http://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBqG2LJ.img?h=960&w=1456&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=399&y=264 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabinessence Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I am sure the business will be an equal opportunity employer and hire applicants based on qualifications and not nepotism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckylager Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 3 hours ago, SNACanuck said: Where on earth do people come up with this stuff. America like Canada has varied opinions on every matter of subject. Just because mainstream media post a rally with people for Trump doesn't mean "America" is all behind him. If you do then you need to stop paying attention to the media, not a single place in the world where the media doesn't control what they put out. And all media is either owned by some rich person or the government. You've got it a bit twisted, the 1% own the Government and the media. The military and police only serve the corporate interest, they don't serve the population, they're just brainwashed into believing they are and march around towing the lines. "To serve and protect, corporate supremacy" , "For God, Country and Oil" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffraff Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 4 hours ago, 6YPE said: Nice story, good for PR.... having said that, there are a lot of underprivileged local children who love hockey and love the Canucks who never get gifted these types of things. Hockey is arguably the most expensive sport to be involved in especially if a kid is good and plays A level minor. its too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googlie Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 10 hours ago, X-PatLostInEdm said: It's a nice story, but hardly flabbergasting. They come from a country currently suffering through a civil with their violent dictatorship of a government and also having an even more violent crew of religious nutjobs trying to overrun them. If it was me in that situation, I'd be ecstatic to be pretty much anywhere else. And your friends find this surprising? Are they Trumpies, maybe? Some are - the flabbergast (is that a real noun?) was around the time frame from application to seeming assimilation into mainstream hockey fans. I told them that Syrian refugees were to Canada as Cuban refugees were to the USA - now I think they may agitate for a 3000 mile wall to be built between USA and Canada! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X-PatLostInEdm Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 7 hours ago, Googlie said: Some are - the flabbergast (is that a real noun?) was around the time frame from application to seeming assimilation into mainstream hockey fans. I told them that Syrian refugees were to Canada as Cuban refugees were to the USA - now I think they may agitate for a 3000 mile wall to be built between USA and Canada! Ok, that's kind of legit, I guess. It was pretty fast, but they had family already here. So that helps. As for Canada Wall, I thought that was already a talking point last year sometime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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