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A video of Canadian schoolchildren singing in Arabic as they welcome Syrian refugees into their country has touched the internet - with viewers calling it "amazing" and "beautiful".

In the footage, the children's choir from Ottawa sing in unison to 'Tala' al-Badru 'Alayan', a traditional Islamic song that was sung to the Prophet Muhammed.

The arrangement was originally performed at a festival in Canada.

The choir's director, Robert Filion, said the song was originally an attempt to bring in cultural diversity but now has an even deeper meaning since it was performed for the refugees .

The emotional video was uploaded to YouTube by moepheusali on December 11 and has had more than 815,000 views .

Viewers were touched by the footage, with one YouTube user writing: "Best thing I saw in YouTube today.

"To see a country, a government, children who are [more] human that all the other countries combined.

"The idea to sing a classic Islamic song to say 'welcome' is genuinely amazing."

Another added: "I haven't cried like that in really long. Thank you Canada. Beautiful people."

The lyrics roughly translate as:

Oh the white moon rose over us

From the valley of Wada'

It is incumbent upon us to show us gratitude

For as long as anyone in existence calls out to God

Oh our Messenger amongst us

Who comes with the exhortations to be heeded

You have brought to this civil nobility

We welcome you who call us to good way.