A Muslim father hugged and forgave a man convicted of murdering of his son during an extraordinary hearing, saying "the forgiveness is the greatest gift of charity in Islam."
The video, which was widely circulated on social media, showed that Abdul-Munim Sombat Jitmoud embracing Trey Alexander Relford, who was sentenced to 31 years in prison for stabbing his son Salahuddin, a 22-year-old Pizza Hut delivery driver in 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky.
"The forgiveness is the greatest gift of charity in Islam": Muslim father hugs and forgives his son's killerhttps://t.co/LrKxZ7IIS3 pic.twitter.com/i9VDf7Mrsq
— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) November 9, 2017
Jitmoud's words while addressing the murderer of his son brought everyone to tears even making the judge having to call a recess from the emotional hearing.
"The door of opportunity for God to forgive him is open. ... So, reach out to Him. You have a new chapter of good life coming," he told Relford in court.
Jitmoud worked as a principal at various Islamic schools in the U.S., including at Lexington Universal Academy on Nicholasville Road.
"I'm angry at the devil, who's misguiding you and misleading you to do such a horrible crime," Jitmoud told Relford in court. "I don't blame you. I'm not angry at you. I forgive you." After the sentencing, Jitmoud whispered into Relford's ear to "do good deeds" when after getting out of the prison and that he has "confidence that Allah is forgiving."
