Kerala Man's Eid With Family After 20 Years in Saudi Jail

Thiruvananthapuram: For Abdul Rahim, the happiest moment of his life was embracing his mother after 20 long years, and that too on the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

Rahim had spent two decades in a Saudi prison over the accidental death of Anas Al Shahri, the paralysed 15-year-old son of his Saudi sponsor. After his release, he landed at Calicut International Airport on Thursday morning.

Hundreds of people, including relatives, neighbors, and villagers, had gathered at Zeenath Mansil, in Kodampuzha village, Kozhikode district, since early morning to welcome him. As the vehicle carrying Rahim arrived at the gate, people rushed forward to shake his hand, greet him, and wrap him in warm hugs.

An emotional scene unfolded in one of the rooms, as Rahim sat beside his mother Fathima, savoring the meal she had prepared. She had waited nearly twenty years for this moment to serve her son.

Later, speaking to the media, Rahim expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and prayed for him and his family, including Malayalis around the world, members of the Action Council, officials at the Riyadh embassy, and businessman Boby Chemmannur.

K. Suresh, chairman of the Rahim Legal Support Committee, said the panel would decide on further assistance for Rahim, noting that over Rs 10 crore raised during the campaign remains, and discussions with Rahim will guide their decision.

The Tragic Incident

Rahim, 24, moved to Riyadh in 2006 in search of a better life, but just weeks after arriving, he was arrested. Working as a driver, he was accompanying his sponsor’s son, Anas, on a trip when a medical feeding device attached to the boy’s neck was accidentally dislodged, tragically causing his death.

The incident led to Rahim’s immediate arrest, and years later, a Saudi court sentenced him to death. His only chance at survival depended on securing Diyat of blood money, the financial compensation to the victim’s family under Islamic law.

The requirement led to one of the largest crowdfunding campaigns linked to a case in Kerala. In an extraordinary act of humanity, Malayalis across the globe came together to raise 15 million Saudi Riyals (nearly Rs 34 crore), enabling Rahim to receive a pardon under Saudi law and paving the way for his release.