Manchester Muslim offers blindfolded hugs and is pleasantly surprised

Video: 22-year-old Baktash Noori's viral video melted hearts by showing the world that Mancunians refuse to be divided after last week's devastating attack
2 min read
29 May, 2017
Baktash Noori's show of kindness and trust quickly became viral [Youtube]

Following the atrocities of a suicide attack in Manchester earlier this month, a young Muslim man took it upon himself to reinstall love and hope in his home-city

22-year-old Baktash Noori, also known as @TheLifeOfBacko blindfolded himself in the middle of the city, with a sign that read “I’m Muslim and I trust you. Do you trust me enough for a hug?”

He made the video after suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena just over a week ago.

The video was uploaded on his Youtube account, and it quickly became viral as he warmed hearts and restored hope in humanity.

The reactions were tear-jerking, as Manchester residents were quick to embrace the man, showing the world that love overcomes all in their home city.

The simple, yet powerful gesture had also showed the world that Manchester refuses to be divided and that they will not succumb to allowing the extremists to win by ruining their community.

Read also: Don't be deceived, the Islamic State group is losing

Noori recorded the video knowing that wounds are still raw. Many injured victims are still in hospital, and some families of the dead are still in the process of planning funerals.

What's more heartwarming about this gesture, is that it is just one in a long chain of powerful reactions.

Just one day before the one week anniversary of the attack, thousands showed a brave show of trust in their community and defied a nationwide terror threat by participating in The Great Manchester Run.

Despite the bloodshed, tears and devastation, with their the acts of kindness and unity, Mancunians have taught the world that love beating hate is not a fairy-tale fantasy, but a pure reality, for as long as the kind fight the evil with nothing but more kindness.