Canadian comedian Russell Peters recently highlighted the plight of Syrian refugees, calling on nations across the globe to open their doors to such individuals, during a recent comedy tour in Amman in Jordan.
The stand-up comic, who is of Anglo-Indian descent, used his popularity to shed light on the growing refugee issue at the request of the Canadian embassy in Jordan, the Huffington Post reported quoting a wire report.
Peters addressed a media briefing after visiting the Za'atari refugee camp, was quoted as saying Syrian citizens were no different from Canadians or other individuals, except that "there just in a bad place."
The comic, who is popularly known for his "Almost Famous" comedy tour, urged countries to offer refugees a home, saying that their skills and resilience would benefit any country.
"Given the circumstances they are in right now, and how they are thriving and making the best of it, I think they can only become an asset to whatever country they end up in," Peters was quoted as saying.
In addition, the entertainer remarked that comedians were the "truth-tellers in the world."
Peters said comedians are known to talk about the truth unlike politicians who tell the public what they want to hear, while the media Peters said, related the truth that they considered suitable.
"Comedians are the only people that are out there telling the truth to the people," Peters said.
The entertainer posted pictures on Twitter taken during the visit and images of him meeting with other comedians and performers, residing at the Za'atari camp. The comedian called the meeting, "emotional and enlightening."
Emotional & enlightening day @ZaatariCamp Jordan. Met these actors & comedians living there. Thank U @CanEmbJordan pic.twitter.com/oFpsV1M8WP
— Russell Peters (@therealrussellp) January 26, 2016
Meanwhile, Peters remarked that while refugees are grateful for the kindness received, he said many wait in hope of returning home and do not want to make the long journey to North America.
Owing to the current crisis it has been reported that more than four million Syrians have fled their homes, with the majority living in neighboring countries such as Jordan and Lebanon in the hope of returning to Syria.
More recently, The Globe and Mail revealed that initial efforts in November 2015, by the United Nations to resettle Syrian refugees from camps into homes in Canada as government-sponsored refugees was proving to be fruitless.
According to the publication, only about six percent of refugees who were contacted indicated an interest in coming to Canada. This was mostly in Jordan but also in Lebanon the report said, with many opting to remain in camps in the hope of a speedy resolution to the current conflict.
Watch highlights of Peters' act from his "Green Card" tour below :
