Muslims use hugs and tweets to condemn Paris attacks

A man identifying himself as a Muslim has been offering hugs of empathy to mourners in Paris. His placard proclaimed: “I’m a Muslim and I’m told I’m a terrorist. I trust you, do you trust me? If yes, hug me?”

It is just one way that Muslims have been distancing themselves from the Paris atrocities. Around the world videos and messages have gone viral The hashtag “ Not in my name” has been revived while others have used the tag “Muslims Are Not Terrorists”.

And from Pakistan five young men have issued a “video”: https://www.facebook.com/PakistaniComedians/videos/1491396007857238 refusing to be held responsible for what they call “a few deranged individuals who claim to be like us”. They go on the explain they are no different from people everywhere. They also say they can understand what the French are going through – last year, 132 schoolchildren were killed by the Taliban in Pakistan, prompting an outpouring of outrage and grief.