Viral: Hug pic from Hilliard protest of Muslims goes global
A protest last weekend at Hilliard’s Noor Islamic Cultural Center brought out a lower-than-expected turnout: 1. And when the day was done, that figure may have needed to be revised down.
The event in Hilliard on Saturday was one of approximately 20 planned around the country through social media. The lone attendee locally was a woman who identified herself only as “Annie.” From the Columbus Dispatch‘s reporting, more counter-protestors showed up than anything. Most tried talking to Annie about the Muslim faith and culture, but the protestor wasn’t interested. At one point, Cynthia Cox de Boutinkhar approached and asked if she could give Annie a hug. Annie said that would be alright and the two embraced.
A short time later, both women walked into the mosque where the softened protestor spent time with members talking about the Muslim faith. Annie left with an English translation of the Quran. Cynthia was left with photographs taken that day. An image of the hug (taken by Cynthia’s friend Micah) has since gone viral and she’s been inundated with interview requests from around the world. She tells the Dispatch that she hopes the Today Show hears about the incident and wants to speak with her. Why? She says that she’d love to meet Matt Lauer.
It’s a great story. Our friends at the Columbus Dispatch have the full scoop. (jj)
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
