Story By: Basant Essam, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash

A Muslim man in Italy has been praised for returning a journalist’s dropped backpack containing his laptop and life’s work and refusing to accept a reward.

Italian journalist Nicolo Piacentino was travelling on his motorbike with the backpack when it fell off unnoticed, and he only realised when he arrived at its destination.

He said he retraced his steps but found nothing, however several hours later they got a phone call from the man who wanted to meet up so he could return the belongings.

Nicolo refused to believe it at first and was later moved to tears by the gesture as the bag held not only expensive items but also most of his work.

The backpack was found by Ahmed Kamal in the middle of the road, containing a laptop, a camera, and a watch among other valuable belongings.

He found a phone number and contacted the owner in the city of Milan in Italy.

After the two met up, Nicolo offered a cash reward but Ahmed refused, saying: “I am Muslim, I cannot accept a reward.”

Nicolo also offered to try and help find Ahmed a job, but he was told that he already had one and was quite happy there.

In the end, he simply shared the story on Facebook and neither man was expecting the widespread reaction that it attracted online.

The post went viral, sparking debate about prejudice against Muslims and Ahmed said he was overwhelmed by the positive attention that even reached his employer.

Ahmed, who moved to Italy 19 years ago, resides in Milan with his family and works at Presso Oliva Real Estate as an engineer.

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