KOZHIKODE: Malayalis joined hands and came forward for the efforts of the People's Committee to save the life of Abdul Rahim, a native of Farook, who was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia. 34 crore rupees required for Rahim's release were collected two days before. The sadness of 75-year-old Fatima, who has been waiting for Abdul Rahim for 18 years, is slowly giving way to happiness. It is hoped that Abdul Rahim will be able to return home soon.

Four days ago, the committee had received only five crores. Prominent businessman Bobby Chemmannur had announced that he would conduct a fundraising campaign titled 'Yachaka Yatra' from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod. Later, people from different walks of life came forward to help. From Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, people were sought for help at public places like railway stations, bus stands and roadsides. Bobby Chemmannur had also informed that he would submit a petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for diplomatic intervention with the Saudi authorities to extend the deadline for paying the blood money.

PWD Minister Mohammed Riyas and Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan are patrons of the people's committee seeking Rahim's blood money. Rahim, who was taking care of an arab man's 15-year-old differently-abled son, was sentenced to death because Rahim's hand unknowingly hit the child's neck and the tube of the device attached to the child's neck for providing food and water became dislodged and the child died. The incident was in 2006.