Violent acts fuelled by racism and Islamophobia have tarnished how the world looks at America’s deep south.
However what happened to Eslam Mohamed and his family defies that stereotype in the most beautiful way.
Mohamed, along with some family and friends, visited an Olive Garden restaurant in Augusta, Georgia on Christmas day.
Mohamed shared on Facebook it was clear they were Muslim since the women accompanying them wore hijabs
When he asked to pay the bill, the waitress brought him a receipt with the message “Paid. Merry Christmas Beautiful Family.” handwritten over it.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The meal had been paid for by a complete stranger.
Mohamed, who is an Arab Muslim, shared how touched he was by the gesture on Facebook.
The post has now reached viral status earning almost 17,000 shares and over 250 likes on his personal wall.
“Among all the bad things happening to Muslims,” he wrote, “and the hate speech that the presidential candidate has made lately, there is still light in the dark, there is still hope in the frustration. All I can say to who did that: Merry Christmas to you too and God bless such a beautiful heart you have.”
This comes after US Presidential Candidate and Republican Frontrunner Donald Trump proposed banning Muslims from entering the US in response to recent terrorist attacks by ISIS.
