Gun Violence Awareness
Rais was invited to The White House to share his testimony, coinciding with Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s advisory declaring gun violence a national public-health crisis.
Programs & projects
Empathy, taught as a critical life skill.
Three interconnected bodies of work drive our mission: the signature Empathy Ambassadors Program, Documentary and Community Dialogue, and Advocacy that advances meaningful change at the policy level.
01 · Empathy Ambassadors Program
We teach empathy as a critical life skill.
Our research and our founder's personal experience show that education about empathy, compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness provides the tools to build a kinder, healthier society. Through the Empathy Ambassadors program, we invest in shaping the generations who will lead our country and the world.
Program overview
A newly enhanced version of the signature program: two lessons using a dialogic learning approach with the latest empathy-developing techniques — including VR content, with 38 pairs of goggles donated by Meta.
Program design
- 01 — Building the empathy muscle.
- 02 — Turning empathy into action.
Two 90-minute workshops; grades 7 through adulthood; 30–35 participants each.
From Home to School: Nurturing Empathy in Children — read the post →
Covers
- Forgiveness & compassion
- Social-emotional intelligence
- Conflict resolution
- Hate & Bias
- Adaptive leadership
- Public narrative
- Allyship
Format
Customized, interactive workshops led by our Program Director and expert teaching artists in storytelling, social work, and restorative justice—designed to meet each community where they are.
Who
Open to all — educators, students, faith and community leaders, social workers, and health professionals across three continents.
Logistics
Year-round, worldwide — facilitators travel to you. Custom pricing, group rates, and scholarships available.
2 × 90 min
Workshop length
30–35
Participants each
7th grade +
Through adulthood
38 pairs
VR goggles donated by Meta
From the workshops
For more information, contact Maggie Kase, Program Director at maggie@worldwithouthate.org.
Program request form →02 · Documentary & dialogue
Pain and Peace
“A survivor of a brutal hate crime embarks on a journey exploring the causes of hatred and the depths of forgiveness — a story of hope and healing.”
Partnering with multi-Emmy-winning filmmaker Mark Feijo, the film is hosted and co-produced by Rais Bhuiyan. Built on empathy, mercy, and forgiveness as antidotes to hate-fueled violence, it is screening at festivals, schools, and communities across North America.
Host a screening + talkback →Screenings & news
Mar 2024 — Feb 2026Feb 27, 2026
Commemorating 9/11: A Call for Unity
Feb 26, 2026
The Chapel, Cheektowaga, NY
Feb 12, 2026
Doris Duke Foundation, New York, NY
Feb 11, 2026
Network of Religious Communities, Buffalo, NY
Nov 11, 2025
Austin College, Sherman, TX
Oct 21, 2025
Human Rights Division of New York State
John Jay College campus, NYC
Jun 03, 2025
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Apr 01, 2025
CFLeads Forum (U.S. Community Foundations), Indianapolis, IN
Mar 13, 2025
St. Paul Episcopal Church, Athens, TN
Mar 11, 2025
St. Paul Episcopal Church, Chattanooga, TN
Feb 24, 2025
Dentons US LLP
Feb 02, 2025
Dallas Screening
Oct 24, 2024
United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF)
Stanford University campus, CA
Oct 17, 2024
Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival, WI
Oct 09, 2024
Bainbridge Island Screening, WA
Sep 20, 2024
University of Manitoba, Canada
Sep 19, 2024
University of Winnipeg, Canada
Sep 18, 2024
Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes
Jul 09, 2024
San Antonio Film Festival
Jun 04, 2024
Pain and Peace on Seattle's KING 5 – Evening
May 22, 2024
Special screening hosted by Proliance Surgeons Foundation
May 14, 2024
In-person studio live interview with Rais Bhuiyan, Mark Feijo, and Dr. LaVonne Ansari, PhD, CEO and executive director, Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc.
May 14, 2024
Buffalo, NY screening
North Park Theatre, Buffalo.
May 14, 2024
Interview with Rais Bhuiyan and Dr. LaVonne Ansari, PhD, CEO and executive director, Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc.
May 14, 2024
The Buffalo News: Tops massacre part of film about transcending intolerance
May 02, 2024
Seattle Premiere
Mar 16, 2024
Long standing ovation at Cinequest Film Festival
Mar 05, 2024
Review by the Movie Gourmet
Bonus short documentary
The Rohingya minority in Myanmar — Rais's December 2017 visit to the Cox's Bazar refugee camp.
I think the film should be seen by everybody. It's got a great message, and it's a film that teaches and that's all you can ask of a film.
It's humbling to realize at this time at this moment in our country and our world, there are courageous folks who have experienced hate and have disarmed it and allowed us to see a sense of hope, what forgiveness can do to transform the world. And it's an honor to know about this film and experience it.
Support the film with a tax-deductible contribution, or mail a check to 140 Lakeside Ave., Suite A-31, Seattle, WA 98122.
Donate to the filmProduction team
Mark Feijo Producer / Director | Rais Bhuiyan Executive Producer | Jessica C. Bhuiyan Executive Producer | Thomas McGurk Composer | Laura Grody Editor / Writer
Supported by:
Screenings and community events
03 · Advocacy
Policy work
Testimony, legislation, and coalition work carrying the same message into rooms where policy is made.
White House Listening Session on Islamophobia
Rais joined a delegation on May 2, 2023 at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
السيد الثاني دوغلاس إيمهوفالسفيرة سوزان رايسالسفير رشاد حسينجوشوا غيلتزرستيفن بنجامين
House Resolution 662
A resolution to honor and support the victims and survivors of 9/11 hate.
النائب أندريه كارسون (IN-7)النائبة ألكسندريا أوكاسيو-كورتيز (NY-14)النائبة رشيدة طليب (MI-13)النائب أدريانو إسبايلات (NY-13)
Urge your member of Congress to sponsor.
Washington Bias Response Hotline
WWH was invited by ADL Seattle to advocate for SB 5427 / HB 1410, which advanced through the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee for a 2025 vote.
From the policy work
“It is high time for us to denounce ignorance and hate, to work together to create the world we all deserve.”
Rais Bhuiyan · Founder & President