Lovely forgiveness

Stuff reports:

Inside Rahimi Ahmad’s home no-one in the family of four speaks about the man responsible for turning their life upside down.

Just over one year ago Ahmad and his then 11-year-old son Ahmad Razif were inside the Masjid An-nur (Al Noor) for Friday prayers when a 28-year-old Australian man opened fire.

Shortly after the gunfire began Ahmad Razif ran off and disappeared from his father’s sight as the men at the back of the prayer line screamed and shouted for everyone to run from the shooter. …

“I know that the bullet penetrate to my body from right side. I pray I have to survive to see my son.”

Facing the floor Ahmad tried desperately not to lose consciousness, his mind concentrating on his son.

A terrible ordeal – both physically, plus the anguish of concern for his son.

He still struggles with pain, with fragments of the bullet still lodged inside his body. He’s been told the nerve will take years to recover and the shrapnel in his body will take years to be covered by tissue.

He takes about five different types of medication to ease the pain which can make him drowsy. He has physio three times a week, but can still not move his right leg, needing a splint and crutches for walking. For long distances he uses a wheelchair.

“I still cannot spend quality time with my family as I [am] always in pain, I don’t know how many years it will take to get back walking.” …

Their son remains “mentally traumatised”, finding it difficult to get to sleep. He meets with a psychologist once a week.

Ahmad says he has already forgiven the unnamed man and prays he will be a “good and better guy later”.

Such forgiveness is inspiring. I know I wouldn’t be capable of forgiveness in this situation, but deep faith can lead some people to be able to do so and I admire them for it.