In a remarkable story of Islamically inspired forgiveness a Muslim man who was shot square in the face in a hate-attack following 9/11 has been campaigning to prevent the execution of the man responsible.
Rais Bhuiyan, a Bangladeshi Muslim, speaking to Democracy Now described how he had been working at a service station in America just a few days after the twin towers attack. When Mark Stroman entered, held him at gunpoint and asked him where he was from, he realised that this was not your typical robbery. Stroman who has said he lost his half sister on September 11th had already killed two other people, one of whom was Hindu, before he shot at and blinded Mr Bhuiyan. Bhuiyan has described how Islam had motivated him to have mercy and not vengeance as he campaigned against Stroman’s execution on America’s death row.
In a statement by Stroman ‘Not only do I have all my friends and supporters trying to save my life, but now I have the Islamic community joining in, spearheaded by one very remarkable man, named Rais Bhuiyan who is a survivor of my hate. His deep Islamic beliefs have gave him the strength to forgive the unforgiveable. That is truly inspiring to me and should be an example for us all. The hate has to stop...we are all in this world together’
Despite Bhuiyan’s best attempts, Stroman was executed by lethal injection.
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