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Relatives of iconic drowned Syrian refugee find a home

Updated on: December 28, 2015 / 8:27 PM EST / AP

Photo of drowned migrant boy shocks world 14 photos

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Relatives of a Syrian boy whose lifeless body washed up on a Turkish beach, sparking worldwide concern for the refugee crisis, have landed in Canada

Mohammed Kurdi, his wife and their five children arrived in Canada as refugees on Monday, sponsored by Mohammed's sister Tima Kurdi, who wiped away tears as she greeted her relatives at Vancouver airport's arrival gates.

Speaking through his sister, who translated from Arabic, Mohammed Kurdi thanked Canadians and the government for making his dream come true.

2015-12-28t220101z1320822768tb3ebcs1p5e0hrtrmadp3europe-migrants-canada-1.jpg — Mohammed Kurdi (top R), with his wife and children are greeted by his sister Tima Kurdi (3rd L), at Vancouver International airport in Vancouver, British Columbia, December 28, 2015. The Kurdis' brother, Abdullah and his family tried to make the crossing from Turkey to Greece on an overcrowded boat. It capsized, and his wife and children drowned. The horrific image of three-year-old Alan's death became an iconic symbol of the plight of Syrian refugees and a major issue in the Canadian federal election. REUTERS

"I'm happy! Very happy!" he said in English to a crowd of reporters gathered around the family.

His teenage son Shergo said he was looking forward to going back to school and starting a new life.

The reunion comes at the end of a difficult year for the family.

Tima and Mohammed's three-year-old nephew, Aylan Kurdi, drowned along with his five-year-old brother and their mother while crossing the waters between Turkey and Greece in September.

The boy's father Abdullah Kurdi said after the tragedy that the family was trying to get to Canada to join his sister Tima. Abdullah has since declined to come to Canada.

2015-12-28t220020z730533114tb3ebcs1p490drtrmadp3europe-migrants-canada.jpg — Tima Kurdi (L), embraces her nephew Rezan Kurdi, 8, as her brother Mohammed Kurdi (not shown) arrives with his family at Vancouver International airport in Vancouver, British Columbia, December 28, 2015. The Kurdis' brother, Abdullah and his family, tried to make the crossing from Turkey to Greece on an overcrowded boat. It capsized, and his wife and children drowned. REUTERS

Mohammed Kurdi has been in Germany since leaving his family in Turkey seven months ago to find work. He had yet to meet his youngest child, who was born in July, but the family reunited in Frankfurt before flying to Canada.

The Kurdis are among 25,000 Syrian refugees the Canadian government has pledged to welcome by the end of February. Immigration Minister John McCallum said last week the government will likely not meet its target of having 10,000 of them on Canadian soil by Jan. 1. The federal website that updates progress listed 2,413 refugees as having arrived in Canada by Dec. 26.

2015-12-28t221332z316580179tb3ebcs1pq90nrtrmadp3europe-migrants-canada.jpg — Tima Kurdi (middle), holds up her nephew Sherwan Kurdi as she welcomes her brother Mohammed Kurdi (R), and his family at Vancouver International airport in Vancouver, British Columbia, December 28, 2015. REUTERS

Mohammed Kurdi, his wife and children will all stay with Tima Kurdi and her family for now. The brother and sister are planning to work together at Tima Kurdi's new hair salon in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Kurdi Hair Design.

"Thank you to the Canadian people. Thank you to Prime Minister Trudeau for opening the door and showing the world how everyone should welcome refugees and save lives," Tima Kurdi said.

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