I disafret, while different people do have certain traits and general preferences, all people do share common traits among humans, Arabs are not excluded.

However I think I know what you mean, but just to add a little bit I think OP should convey sympathy to Syrians, just don't be pitiful and patronizing like he said. And I really believe this advise could be extended to everyone not just Arabs.

You don't just have to remind them of their losses,you can talk about their courageous cause, you could talk about the coward world (excluding no one) watching that shit unfold while doing nothingy, except fighting the mysterious boogy man ISIS while leaving the actual criminal free. Maybe this last point is up for debate and is subjective, but my point is I commend your goal and so will they, they're not assholes. In fact, I think they will be happy to tell the world of the shit they have seen and experienced maybe they'll find at least someone to listen as they gave been ignored for 6 years.