This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/7542
May 29, 2017
Carrying a sign which says 'I'm Muslim and I trust you. Do you trust me enough for a hug?', Baktash has spent the last few days in Manchester city centre, offering hugs.
Wearing a blindfold and standing alone on Market Street - he filmed the experience of waiting to see if anyone would take up his offer.
The surprising, often emotional response, by passers-by left him stunned, but also firmly believing that hate hasn't grabbed hold of the Manchester public's heart.
Baktash, who posts videos on Youtube under the name Life of Bako, said that he hoped that his film would show how simple acts of contact can make a difference, and unite the city's communities.
– BAKTASH NOORI, VIDEO BLOGGER http://www.itv.com/news/The first 30 seconds were nerve-racking... but once I got that first hug with a lovely comment from that gentleman in my video, it made me feel a whole lot better. With every hug, the comments I received were amazing, some were getting all teary and it's not hard to tell by a persons hug and tone of voice how much better their and my day became because of this. I did not expect so many people to come and hug me, let alone give me such positive comments, but it was the best thing I've ever done.
This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/7542