Relatives of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian boy whose image was shown around the world after his body washed up on the Turkish coast, have arrived in Canada as refugees. Alan Kurdi drowned with his mother and brother while the family was attempting to reach Greece. His uncle, aunt and five children have arrived in Canada, among the tens of thousands of people Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to accept. Alan Kurdi’s father, who survived the attempted crossing that killed his son, is now in Iraq and plans to remain. In a Christmas message, Abdullah Kurdi appealed to the world to accept refugees.

Abdullah Kurdi: “My message is I’d like the whole world to open its doors to Syrians. If a person shuts a door in someone’s face, this is very difficult. When a door is opened, they no longer feel humiliated. At this time of year, I would like to ask you all to think about the pain of fathers, mothers and children who are seeking peace and security. We ask just for a little bit of sympathy from you.”