Kozhikode: Twenty years after leaving his hometown of Kodampuzha in search of a better life, Abdul Rahim is finally preparing to return home from Saudi Arabia. As his 20-year prison term ends on May 20, his family and villagers are anxiously waiting to welcome him back.

Rahim was arrested within weeks of arriving in Saudi Arabia following the accidental death of Anas-al-Shahri, the paralysed 15-year-old son of his Saudi sponsor. Employed as a driver, Rahim was accompanying the boy when a medical feeding device attached to Anas's neck was accidentally dislodged, leading to the teenager's death. A Saudi court later sentenced him to death.

His only hope rested on securing 'Diyat' - financial compensation paid to the victim's family under Islamic law. In an extraordinary humanitarian campaign, Malayalis across the world raised 15 million Saudi Riyals (nearly ₹34 crore), helping Rahim secure a pardon. His brother Abdul Naseer said Rahim has already obtained the outpass required to leave the country and may reach home within a day of his release.

K Suresh, chairman of the Rahim Legal Support Committee, said a sizeable amount collected during the campaign still remains, and the committee will decide on further financial support after Rahim reaches home. "Rahim's release stands as a testament to togetherness and human solidarity," he said. As Rahim prepares to step back into his hometown after two decades, his return has become an emotional moment for his family and the countless people who stood by him.

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