This was only 5 days after the attack on the embassy in Libya. And yes, in case you're wondering, they do get international news here. Every newspaper here has been running front page stories about the murders at the embassy and the movie that the attack was supposedly in response to, and yet these Muslims upon meeting an American were incredibly happy and wanted to shake hands and take pictures. Their smiles were full of warmth and gratitude as they talked to me and thanked me. This particular family even put their arms around me when we were taking the picture, and so I returned the kind gesture.
So for anyone that thinks all Muslims around the world hate America, I can tell you from firsthand experience that is simply not true. People are people no matter what country they come from or what religion they are or any other such factors. There are bad people everywhere, and there are good people everywhere. In my experiences, the good far outweigh the bad.
I hope this picture can help everyone remember, during a time when it might not be so easy to do so, that we should never judge a whole country or group of people based on what a few of its members say or do. Feel free to share this to remind others of the same thing.
