The father of the little boy whose lifeless body became a heart-breaking symbol of the refugee crisis has pleaded with people to open their doors to Syrians this Christmas.

The plight of three-year old Aylan Kurdi sparked global outrage in September after he was found drowned on a Turkish beach.

Now Aylan’s father, Abdullah Kurdi, has urged Britons to ‘think of the pain’ of other refugees desperately seeking safety in the annual ‘alternative’ Christmas address to be shown on Channel 4.

Abdullah Kurdi, has urged Britons to ‘think of the pain’ of other refugees desperately seeking safety in the annual ‘alternative’ Christmas address to be shown on Channel 4

He is the father of young Aylan whose body was pictured lying dead on the beach after the ship he was on while making the dangerous journey to Europe capsized

Abdullah asks others to think about the pain of mothers at this time of year in an alternative Christmas message that is to be broadcast on Channel 4 this year

The grieving father explains that if a person shuts a door in someone's face, it is very difficult. Nearly four million people have fled Syria since the start of the civil war

Mr Kurdi simply asked people to show a little bit of sympathy for the plight of the people leaving Syria and other dangerous countries

‘My message is I’d like the whole world to open its doors to Syrians. If a person shuts a door in someone’s face, this is very difficult. When a door is opened they no longer feel humiliated,’ the Kurdish Syrian said.

Aylan on an overcrowded boat filled with refugees fleeing the war in Syria when it capsized shortly into the crossing to the Greek island of Kos.

His five year old brother, Galip Kurdi, and their mother, Rehan, also drowned.

Mr Kurdi, who survived, said in his alternative Christmas message: ‘At this time of year I would like to ask you all to think about the pain of fathers, mothers and children who are seeking peace and security. We ask just for a little bit of sympathy from you.’

The photograph of Aylan marked a turning point in the debate over the refugee crisis, and shocked governments around the world into action but there are thousands more like him

Around 500,000 people have attempted to reach Europe and North America this year alone

‘Think about the pain of fathers, mothers and children who are seeking peace and security’.

More than four million people have fled Syria since the start of the civil war, and around 500,000 have attempted to reach Europe and North America this year alone.

The photograph of Aylan marked a turning point in the debate over the refugee crisis, and shocked governments around the world into action.

Mr Kurdi, who is a barber by trade, said: ‘We Syrians leave our country due to war. We all are afraid for our children, for our honour. There are barrel bombs, explosions and also Daesh [Islamic State]. We have hundreds of thousands of problems.