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title: Justin Trudeau: Syrian Refugees Name Baby After Prime Minster
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# These Syrian Refugees Just Named Their Newborn Child 'Justin Trudeau'

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by 

[Melissa Locker](https://time.com/author/melissa-locker/)


## Melissa Locker


May 8, 2017 5:25 PM UTC

by 

[Melissa Locker](https://time.com/author/melissa-locker/)


## Melissa Locker


May 8, 2017 5:25 PM UTC

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has welcomed [refugees](http://time.com/4606105/children-of-no-nation/?iid=sr-link9) into his country. 

“To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada,” Trudeau said Saturday on Twitter in both English and French.

To show their appreciation to the [leader](http://time.com/4651729/president-trump-refugee-suspension-backfire/?iid=sr-link1), two refugees just named their son after him.

Afraa and Muhammad Bilan came to Canada in February 2016 with their two eldest children Naya, 4, and Nael, 3\. When their new son was born in a Calgary hospital on May 4, they decided to pay tribute to the man they credit with establishing a [immigration policy](http://time.com/4667825/a-dystopian-vision-of-the-refugee-crisis/?iid=sr-link3) that allowed them to enter the country, according to the _Toronto Star_. 

“We love this man, we appreciate him,” Afraa Bilan [told The Star.](https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/05/06/syrian-family-names-baby-justin-trudeau-after-canadian-pm.html) “He helped a lot of [refugees](http://time.com/4652552/president-trump-is-suspending-a-refugee-program-and-banning-visas-from-7-countries/?iid=sr-link3). He’s the reason we are in Canada.”

> [](https://twitter.com/TorontoStar/status/861018304785330176)

Justin Trudeau Adam Bilan is not only a welcome addition to the family, but also represents their hope for the future. “He’s the first Canadian,” she said. “He got his citizenship before us!”

Canada has said it will allow 300,000 immigrants to enter the country in 2017.

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