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Parisians in tears by Muslim's 'hug me if you trust me' appeal

Paris - A video posted online shows dozens of onlookers, some in tears, approaching the man and embracing him at the Place de la République.

In a show of faith, a Muslim man stood blindfolded in Republic Square in the French capital asking mourners to embrace him as they gathered to commemorate the 129 victims killed in a series of terror attacks across the capital, reports said.
Days after Daesh terrorists attacked the city, the man ventured into the centre of Paris with a sign reading: "I'm Muslim, but I'm told that I'm a terrorist. I trust you, do you trust me? If yes, hug me."
A video posted online shows dozens of onlookers, some in tears, approaching the man and embracing him at the Place de la République, which has become a hub for homages and tributes, The Independent reported. After taking off his blindfold the unnamed man said: "I would like to thank every one of you for giving me a hug. I did this to send a message to everyone.

"I am Muslim, but that doesn't make me a terrorist. I never killed anybody. I can even tell you that last Friday was my birthday, but I didn't go out."I deeply feel for all the victims' families. I want to tell you that 'Muslim' doesn't necessarily mean 'terrorist'," he was quoted as saying.
"A terrorist is a terrorist, someone willing to kill another human being over nothing. A Muslim would never do that. Our religion forbids it."
The video has been watched more than 16 million times on Facebook and received 150,000 likes in two days.
Feeling the unity, metro.co.uk quoted a person commenting: 'My deepest empathy goes to the families of the victims. Unbelievable how people tend to generalise. I am Muslim and was born and raised in Europe. Does the fact that I am Muslim automatically makes me a terrorist?
"Well, I am not, nor is any Muslim related to me in any sort of way. Yet, we are being stamped as such. Seeing this video, restored my belief that not all people are ignorant and guided by prejudice. Thank you for every single hug. I hug you back."
The Independent said a recent survey of seven European countries by the Pew Research Centre, found France has the most positive views on followers of Islam, with 74 per cent of people surveyed holding a favourable view of the Muslim community.