A St. John's woman who came to Canada is sharing her story to inspire more Canadians to accept Syrian refugees, and respect Muslims in general.

"I just really wanted people to understand what it's like to be on the other side," Elbonita Kozhani told the St. John's Morning Show.

Kozhani wrote a lengthy Facebook post Monday about her, and her family's, experience as Kosovar refugees, arriving in Canada in 1999.

"We came here with nothing. No passport or ID, no clothes — nothing. It was Canadians who provided us with a 'home'," Kozhani wrote.

"I look at myself in the mirror, and the person I have become today. And the only thoughts that come to my head is 'Canada'. I am proud of who I have become thanks for this country."

Her post has since been shared more than 20,000 times. She's received more than 300 personal messages of support.

'Overwhelmed' by support

"I'm really truly overwhelmed," Kozhani said.

"The messages I've received from people all over the world — if I've made a difference in one person, than it's totally worth it."

Kozhani added she normally doesn't like to talk about what she went through, but felt she could no longer stay silent after hearing and seeing negative comments about Canadians accepting in refugees in the wake of the Paris attacks.

"I understand that people are scared, totally. Fear rules this world," she said.

"However just because of the recent event, doesn't mean that everybody we're going to accept is going to be a terrorist."

A Syrian refugee cries by one of her children as she arrives on the Greek island of Lesbos. (Yannis Behrakis/Reuters)

Kozhani understands the worry that some terrorists might pose as refugees, but said that can't be a deterrent to those in need of help.

"It is possible, but it's a chance you have to take. You can't let one person ruin it for thousands of refugees [to] stay in their country and potentially die. So you just kind of have to hope that they're good people, with good intentions."

Muslims speaking out

Kozhani, who is Muslim, also hopes her post helps break down any fear or mistrust around her religion. She isn't the only member of the province's Muslim community hoping to spread that message.

"Islam means 'peace' " Tahir Pasha told The Corner Brook Morning Show.

Dr. Tahir Pasha came to Corner Brook about nine years ago. (Gary Moore/CBC)

"I don't understand how being a Muslim you can hurt someone, injure someone, take the life of someone."

Pasha has lived in Corner Brook for about nine years, and said it has so far been very welcoming, and he hopes it remains so.

"I believe, and I'm sure, we are living in a very tolerant and friendly environment here," he said.