Paris Hug Video: Watch Blindfolded Muslim Man Ask 'Do You Trust Me?' To A Crowd Of Parisians
In a recent video that has quickly going viral on the web, a Muslim man stands blindfolded at the Place de Republique, the unofficial meeting point for mourners to pay tribute and conduct vigils for those who were killed in last Friday's ISIS terror attacks that resulted in the deaths of 129 people. The man, who stood with open arms, asked mourners if they trust him, and for those who do, to simply hug him.
In hopes to convey his own, equally palpable sense of violation and loss, the man stood over placards that read, "I'm a Muslim, but I'm told that I'm a terrorist. I trust you, do you trust me? If yes, hug me."
The "social experiment" setup has previously been conducted around the world, however this particular moment was a profoundly moving one, and served as an slight, albeit necessary point of healing in what will surely be, a long road ahead.
The fact that the positive reaction to the man's statement was captured on video makes for a truly remarkable feat of peace, love and togetherness in the wake of the unthinkable tragedy.
After receiving an unknown number of hugs, the man removed his blindfold and briefly synopsized what it actually means to be a Muslim by stating, 'I deeply feel for all the victims' families. I wanted to tell you that 'Muslim' doesn't necessarily mean terrorist." He went on to say, "A terrorist is a terrorist, someone willing to kill another human being over nothing. A Muslim man would never do that. Our religion forbids it.'
