Bhuiyan appealed for mercy for the man who tried to kill him.
By Raif Karerat
Noted Bangladeshi American peace activist Rais Bhuiyan was recognized as a shining example of true progressivism at the American Bazaar’s second annual Philanthropy Dialogue, held in the heart of the nation’s capital in Washington, DC, on October 10.
Bhuiyan gained international attention after appealing to save the life of Mark Anthony Stroman, who shot the information technology professional in a racially charged attack during a robbery, in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks.
In his conversation with Sachin Malhan, an executive partner with the nonprofit Ashoka, Bhuiyan spoke of the ordeal, recalling how he gave Stroman the money demanded while imploring him not to shoot him.
However, Bhuiyan remembered that at that point, Stroman was not looking at the money — he was looking right at him.
Bhuiyan said he knew something was wrong at that point, and he felt a cold chill run down his spine.
It was at that point that Stroman mumbled, “Where are you from?”
Bhuiyan told the rapt audience at the Philanthropy Dialogue it was at that point that Stoman shot him, before even giving Bhuiyan a chance to interject.
When moderator Malhan asked how Bhuiyan was able to turn feelings most would expect to consist of rage or hatred into mercy, the hate-crime survivor answered that he only looked forward.
“After I got my life back, I did not ask God why I got shot,” he stated. “I asked him to help me with the situation I’ll be dealing with from now on,” he continued.
He said he was thankful to have another lease on life, and realized that he should be thankful, not angry.
“I came to this country quitting my Air Force career back home with a dream to do something bigger and better than what I could do in my birth country,” Bhuiyan stated. “If I stay sad, angry, or depressed, that dream will never come true. I realized I needed to pursue my dreams by doing the next right thing by forgiving the person who hurt me and moving on,” he continued.
Offering advice for change in the United States, Bhuiyan remarked, “Hate and revenge may bring temporary satisfaction, but they don’t bring peace or a solution to any situation. They only bring disaster and more misery.”
At present, Bhuiyan, who holds a position as an IT professional, divides his time between managing a team of system engineers and data centers in Europe and touring the globe giving talks about the regenerative power of forgiveness.