The journey I’ve taken moved me from a place of pain on the deepest level to a place of hope for a kinder world, a world without violence, a world without victims, and a world without hate.
~ Rais Bhuiyan | Founder, World Without Hate
In the days following 9/11, Rais was shot by a white supremacist in a brutal hate crime. He forgave his attacker and eventually led an international campaign trying to save him from death row. He ultimately renounced his hateful views and called Rais brother. From this movement and the manifestation of his deathbed promise, Rais founded the non-profit World Without Hate (WWH). His work focuses on utilizing the transformational power of personal narrative and empathy education to help prevent and disrupt hate and violence.
In addition to his work with World Without Hate, Rais is a renowned international public speaker, engaging hundreds of thousands globally. From corporate boardrooms to college campuses, conference auditoriums, maximum-security prisons, and refugee camps, Rais shares his remarkable story of resilience, survival, and the transformative power of mercy and forgiveness.
Rais is the host and coproducer of a feature length documentary, Pain and Peace. He travelled 17,000 miles across North America, capturing the powerful stories of survivors and perpetrators of hate-fueled violence. He delivered a TEDx at Emory University in 2016. More…
A 17,000 Mile Journey
Waking up each day with the scars of hate etched into my body and my soul is a painful reminder of the brutal hate crime I endured. Extremism and hate-fueled violence has continued to rise since September 11th, 2001. Far too many lives have been destroyed and lost, families forever broken at the hands of senseless hate. I embarked on a journey to understand the roots of hate and violence. I yearned to discover whether peace and forgiveness could ever prevail and how others find purpose amidst pain.
Over the past year, I’ve traveled more than 17,000 miles across North America More….
BOOKS & MEDIA
Rais shared his story with author, Ananad Giridharadas
Excerpt from The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas
Leavings
Every so often, a customer walked into the mini-mart at South Buckner and Elam Road and offered Raisuddin some reassurance. Perhaps they noticed his olive T-shirt and bright sneakers, and interpreted them as he had hoped: as the dress of a rising man, not a typical gas station worker. Or perhaps they heard in one of his newly crafted conversation starters some unexpected flair. In these moments, they might speak to Raisuddin or ….more
GALLERY
