"I am Muslim and I trust you. Do you trust me enough for a hug?"
Basim Ismail, treasurer of the Auburn University Muslim Students Association and junior in industrial and systems engineering, stood blindfolded with his arms outstretched on the Student Center concourse Tuesday, Dec. 1 next to a sign inscribed with these words.
Ismail couldn't see students' reactions, but said he only heard positive comments.
"I feel the love," Ismail said. "It's awesome."
An unidentified man in Paris stood with a similar sign outside the Place de la Republique. He reportedly received hundreds of hugs and a video of the demonstration has been viewed more than 1 million times.
AUMSA members were inspired by this anonymous man, said Susan Rashid, vice president of public relations for AUMSA and graduate student in biology.
They wanted to make people think with this experiment, Rashid said.
"It’s getting people’s attention at the very least, even if they’re not willing to come and hug him," Rashid said. "And that’s the most important part of it."
The student response far surpassed her expectations, Rashid said. She saw some curious glances, but none were mean-spirited or negative.
"I couldn’t even imagine something so great like this," Rashid said. "This is a good example of the Auburn community and how warm and welcoming it is."
Annie Quindlen, freshman in undeclared liberal arts, was participating in a philanthropy event for Chi Omega on the concourse next to Ismail.
Quindlen, along with many of her friends, hugged Ismail. She said she was moved by his sign.
"I thought it was very sad because of everything going on in the world," Quindlen said. "I didn’t want him to think everyone feels that way about Muslim people."
(Video by Auburn University Muslim Students Association)
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