Every day, we hear another story about another terrorist attack or murder. The cycle of hate seems to never end, as people seek revenge from horrible crimes committed. With so many bad news stories out there, it's hard to believe we'll ever have world peace.
Luckily, there are a few people who don't believe it the "eye for an eye" attitude. After some of the most hate-filled attacks, a person will come forward to be an example of love in the midst of all the horror.
No matter if the criminals deserved compassion, these 7 people stood up for what was right and blew everyone away with their kindness. Find out what they did!
1. Victim Tries to Save the Man Who Took His Sight
After 9/11, fear and hatred griped America. One man, Mark Anthony Stroman, decided he'd take matters into his own hands and shot three men to avenge the Twin Towers terrorist attack.
Waqar Hsan and Vasudev Patel were both killed by Stroman's hate crime, but Rais Bhuiyan survived with severe injuries to his face, including the loss of sight in one eye.
Despite the horrible pain and long recovery, the Bangladeshi American citizen forgave Stroman and did everything in his power to stop the convict from facing the death penalty.
"I'm trying to do my best not to allow the loss of another human life," Bhuiyan said. "I'll knock on every door possible."
In the end, Bhuiyan was unable to save Stroman, but the latter showed remorse for his crimes and told Bhuiyan he loved him.
2. KKK Member Saved from Group of Violent Protesters
In 1996, the Ku Klux Klan held a rally in Michigan and met with a group of people who angrily opposed their racist views. One man, who appeared to be a part of the KKK, found himself in the crowd of protesters. As he was wearing a confederate flag and sporting an SS tattoo, the crowd soon turned against him.
As they kicked and beat him, it became clear to onlookers that a murder might take place. Without warning, an 18-year-old black woman jumped from the mob to shield the man from the crowd.
Witness Mark Brunner said: "She put herself at physical risk to protect someone who, in my opinion, would not have done the same for her."
Unwilling to hurt her to get to the KKK man, the mob backed off. So why did she do it?
"I knew what it was like to be hurt," she said. "The many times that that happened, I wish someone would have stood up for me."
3. Muslim Librarian Risks His Life Hiding an Ancient Jewish Manuscript from the Nazis
Risking your life for a bunch of papers may seem extreme, but Dervis Korkut, the head librarian at the Bosnian National Museum, did just that. A German soldier named Johann Fortner paid him a visit on orders from Hitler in an attempt to get a priceless Jewish manuscript called the Sarajevo Haggadah.
Apparently, Hitler was creating a "museum of an extinct race," meaning the Jewish people. The precious piece from 1350 was next on the list.
Although as a Muslim, Korkut didn't revere the art as the Jewish community did, he stuffed the manuscript in his pants when Johann Fortner arrived. Knowing he could be shot if caught, Korkut assured the German soldier he'd already given the precious book to the Germans. Fortner believed him, and left in peace.
Go to the next page to read how a Hindu woman protected a group of Muslims from an angry mob.
4. Widow Protects Muslims from Murder
Conflict between Hindus and Muslims is often extreme in India, and it's fair to say the two groups don't like each other at all. In 2015, a violent mob of 5,000 Hindus plotted revenge after a Hindu man was supposedly killed after having an affair with a Muslim woman.
The mob decided to murder all the Muslims in Azizpur Bahilwara, a small village with predominantly Muslim population. As the violent mob descended on the town, a 50-year-old Hindu widow hid 10-20 Muslims in her home. She used sacks of grain to cover up the wooden cot where they hid under, and told the mob her home was Hindu. They left her alone along with her house, and the group hiding in her back room was saved.
5. Amish React with Compassion After Mass School Shooting
In October 2006, an Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania was peacefully going through another school day when Charles Roberts burst in and unloaded his shotgun into 10 Amish girls. Five children lost their lives that day, as well as the shooter, who took his own life after the rampage.
The Amish community rallied together to visit Marie Roberts, the shooter's wife, and their 3 children. Rather than take revenge, the Amish offered money to the young family and showed up to Charles' funeral after burying their daughters.
When photographers tried to get photographs of Marie and her family as they went to the funeral, some of the Amish formed a human barricade to help protect the Roberts' privacy.
"They turned their backs to the cameras so the only pictures that could be taken were of them and not of our family. And it was amazing to me that they would choose to do that for us," Marie said. "It was amazing. It was one of those moments during the week where my breath was taken away, but not because of the evil. But because of the love."