The Magic of Humanity: Forgiveness, Mercy and Compassion | Rais Bhuiyan | TEDxEmory

Rais recounts his story as a survivor of a hate crime after 9/11. Listen to the way he decided to use compassion and forgiveness to transform his life and the life of the man who carried out the crime.

Rais Bhuiyan an American Muslim from Bangladesh, is an extraordinary individual with a powerful story. After serving as an air force pilot in Bangladesh, Rais moved to the United States in 1999 to study computer technology. Ten days after 9/11, Rais was the victim of a horrific hate crime. Shot in the face at point blank range by white supremacist, Mark Stroman, self-described “the Arab slayer,” Rais barely survived. Sadly, two other victims were killed. Stroman was sentenced to death; ten years later, Rais led an international campaign, fighting to save Stroman’s life. Rais’ near death experience and subsequent religious pilgrimage sparked a profound journey of soul searching and began his path as a human rights activist for peace, forgiveness, empathy and understanding. Rais’ effort to save Stroman from execution in 2011 was unsuccessful, but his transformative ability to turn hate into compassion and forgive the unforgivable has been transformative.

[winterbear]

I’m here crying after listening to Stephanie Soo’s Rotten Mango Podcast. Rais story is sooo humane we need more people like him at our lives and in the world.

[salimreza]

Yesterday, At American Center in Dhaka, I was fortunate enough to listen to his incredible struggle of his surviving. He is a Bangladeshi American preacher of forgiveness and kindness in the name of World Without Hate.

[UrbanAlchemystic]

Just saw your story on fatal encounters and it touched my ❤️. Rais my brother you are an American hero.

[restfulcube-notyet]

i'm getting massive vinland saga vibess. this is a true warrior irl

[SilentTrip]

May Allah bless you my Muslim brother 🙏 you make us proud

[francinetolf]

Thank you for your forgiveness and your humanity. I do not think I would be capable of your incredible compassion. You are an inspiration.

[siobhanobrien]

I am from NYC. Even at the age of fifteen i knew Muslims are not terrorists! He does not speak for me! Never have never will!

[iHRThellokitty]

Thank you for being such a good example and using your experience to make this world a better place.

[mewmew]

You're inspirational. Your empathy for someone who killed others and had true intent to kill you, it's surprising. Your determination to survive, your compassion and choice to try to understand other people are beautiful. I, too, want the world to be a better place. I want people to have their basic needs met. Thanks for supporting rehabilitation, I appreciate your radical love for human life.

[janbailey]

I will teaching this lesson in my Sunday school class!

[phx]

I know this guy. He's my dad's old buddy.

P.S ty Rais Uncle. You remember Shahed had a son right? haha

[siobhanobrien]

It is written in the Quran that if you save one life, it is like you saved all of humanity

[nabiha._k]

Thank you for this inspirational and incredible forgiveness and humanity
Thank you for showing the world what Islam actually is what Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala teaches us 💗
May Allah bless you with peace and His merciful bounties
Thanks to rotten mango podcast i got to know your story and i am incredibly inspired

[tysonclark]

Why is it Americas job to fix the world?