community-and-society

"When you see us dancing it [is] our way of pleasing God, like praising God," said Abraham Kon, from the Jolwoliech youth ministry.

To many who have heard dozens of adaptations, the song seems to bring together a random bunch of animals and people like "eight maids a-milking" and "11 pipers piping".

But the meaning behind the familiar and cheerful song may have been closely tied with religious teachings, according to historical theologian Associate Professor Bronwen Neil from the Australian Catholic University.

Bana Alabed, who posted to more than 300,000 followers from the warzone with the help of her mother Fatemah, fled the city with her family after an evacuation deal was brokered by Russia — the main supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — and Turkey, which backs some large rebel groups.