Forgiveness, a virtue that is fundamental to Christianity, is poignantly displayed in a true story that is told by a Muslim.
After 9/11, a white supremacist in Texas wanted revenge. He took his gun and shot three people he believed were Arab. One of the men he shot survived. That man, Rais Bhuiyan, worked to understand and forgive his shooter and then took a surprising step to prevent the man from being executed.-The Story
After completing a Muslim pilgrimage and talking with Dr. Rick Halprin, Director of the Human Rights Education Program at the Southern Methodist University, Rais Bhuiyan decided to do three things: try to save his shooter’s life, help the families of the deceased victims in the same shooting spree–both financially and emotionally, and help the daughter of his shooter.
Please listen to this poignant story that is so pertinent to the Christmas season.
Hate is going on in this world, and it has to stop. Hate causes a lifetime of pain.-statement by Mark Stroman, the shooter, while on death row

Photo “The Children’s Memorial at Lidice, Czech Republic commemorating the 82 children murdered by the Nazis in vans adapted to kill with exhaust gas and buried at Chelmno”–SMU Human Rights Education Program
Some background on Dr. Rick Halprin:
Since 1996, I have been visiting, photographing, and videotaping Holocaust and other World War II sites across Europe. I am also conducting oral history interviews with Holocaust survivors, World War II participants, and the descendants of both groups. I bring this research and documentation into my classrooms as part of my on-going efforts to humanize, personalize, and raise awareness of that tragic era.”–Dr. Rick Halprin