A viral film of a French muslim man’s simple installation in response to the Paris terror attacks becomes a global inspiration.

The message was simple, the methods simpler still, but a French muslim man’s heartfelt installation in Paris on Tuesday offered a much needed conduit for the people of a city still reeling from the worst terror attack in its history to express their solidarity.

Tributes to the 129 people murdered in last Friday’s string of terrorist attacks in the French capital have been focused on the Place de Republique, with thousands coming to the Parisian landmark in the past six days to lay flowers, leave messages and pay their respects. It was here, at this focal point of a nation’s greif, that an unidentified muslim man blindfolded himself and left a sign which read, “I’m a Muslim but I’m told that I’m a terrorist. I trust you, do you trust me? If yes, hug me.” And many did.

The results of this social installation were filmed as a procession of people embraced the man, many visibly moved by the catharsis and humanity this act displayed. The film, which...