Interview with Rais Bhuiyan

DESCRIPTION
Rais Bhuiyan is an immigrant who moved to the United States from Bangladesh in 1999 for school. On September 21st, 2001, one week after the attacks on 9/11, he was shot in the face by Mark Stroman as part of a string of shootings Stroman claimed were revenge for the 9/11 attacks. Bhuiyan was the only survivor. Stroman received the death penalty and was on Death Row for eleven years. During the last years of Stroman’s life, Bhuiyan was a vocal opponent of the death penalty and headed a campaign to save Mark Stroman from execution. In tape 1, Bhuiyan discusses his life in Bangladesh and experiences in military school. In tape 2, he discusses joining the Bangladesh Air Force, meeting his fiancée, and the process of applying for a visa to come to the United States to study. In Tape 3, Bhuiyan talks about traveling from Bangladesh to the United States, his life in New York and then in Dallas, and describes what it was like working in a gas station. In tape 4, Bhuiyan describes the shooting incident and its immediate impact on his life as he sought medical care and support during recovery. In tape 5, Bhuiyan discusses the trial, overcoming his fear of people who looked like Mark Stroman, and his 2009 pilgrimage to Mecca. In Tape 6, Bhuiyan discusses his campaign to save Mark Stroman, his desire for a reconciliation meeting Stroman, and the phone conversation they had just before Stroman was executed. In Tape 7, Bhuiyan discusses forgiveness and overcoming ignorance. In tape 8, Bhuiyan discusses his relationship with Mark Stroman’s family. This interview was filmed on April 26th and 27th, 2013, at Rais Bhuiyan’s home in Dallas, Texas.

ADDITIONAL METADATA
Date: April 26, 2013 to April 27, 2013
Subject(s): Rais Bhuiyan
Type: Oral History
Language: English
Location: Dallas, Texas

PROVENANCE
Holding Institution: Texas After Violence Project (TAVP)
Item History: 2019-01-26 (created); 2019-01-26 (modified)

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