Abdul Rahim, a native of Kodambuzha in Kozhikode, has been released after spending 20 years in a Saudi prison, where he was on death row for the accidental death of his sponsor’s son. The global Malayali community raised approximately 48 crore rupees in blood money to secure his freedom, allowing him to return home just in time for Eid celebrations.

Rahim was 24 when he first went to Saudi Arabia in 2006 as a house driver. Just 18 days into his job, an altercation with his sponsor’s son, Anas, who was paralyzed from a previous accident, led to an accidental hand-to-neck contact that proved fatal. Rahim was arrested and later sentenced to death, with the victim’s family demanding qisas (retributive justice).

For years, Rahim lost all hope, especially when he underwent the final procedures—photograph and fingerprinting—that precede execution. “Everything was ready. It was at the last moment that luck favored me,” he recalled. The Indian Embassy, along with community leaders like Bobby Chemmannur and various legal aid committees, worked tirelessly to negotiate a blood money settlement.

Now back in Kerala, Rahim is overwhelmed by the support he received. “People set aside caste and religion to help a fellow human being. They contributed from one rupee to one crore. I am grateful to everyone,” he said. He plans to discuss his future with family and friends, acknowledging that his dreams were shattered but now he must dream anew.