Yazid Ibrahim has accepted that what happened to him three years ago was God's willing.
The 54-year old taxi driver lost his left leg after a bomb exploded beside him at the Hat Yai airport, killing four people and injuring dozens.
"I was sitting at the airport's exit gate when somebody dropped a bag just half a meter from me. I looked around to find the bag owner. But just 10 minutes later the bag exploded, wounding my legs and hands," Yazid told The Jakarta Post at his house in Hat Yai, around 800 km south of Bangkok, on Saturday.
The city is the busiest in southern Thailand, with the composition of Muslims and Buddhists squarely balanced. Hat Yai is the gate for people traveling to three southern Muslim-dominated and troubled provinces: Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Although he lost one of his legs, Yazid felt fortunate he was still alive and could continue many activities with the help of equipment.
"I have neither regret for what happened nor anger as it was already decided by Allah. I just pray that the perpetrator realized what he did was wrong," he said.
Yazid said that from the beginning he did not believe violence could solve the Muslims' problems. He was sure perpetrators of the attacks did not want to hurt him or other Muslims.
"I don't understand why we should resort to violence to solve problems. Islamic teachings clearly prohibit violence and demand peaceful ways of resolving problems and peaceful coexistence with members of any religion," he said.
He called for an end to the bombings and attacks and a start to a life shared with other Muslims, if not people of other religions.
"I hope I am the last to fall victim to a bombing."
Yazid, a father of four daughters, has devoted his life to religious activities, and to take care of his youngest daughter who wants to enter university.
He made many friends with people from other countries while a taxi driver and tourist guide at the Hat Yai airport, winning sympathy and help from the community. The government gave him some US$30,000 to help him support his family.
His disability does not confine him to his home. He bought a special second-hand motorcycle from Japan through an agent in Bangkok, and modified his car so he could drive it with only one leg.
He rides his motorcycle around his hometown Hat Yai, or goes to the mosque to pray and conduct other religious activities.
"I can drive the car to take my family to Phuket Island (Thailand's popular beach resort), and even to Bangkok. I have no problems at all," he said.
His younger brother, 39-year old Kasim, smiled in talking of his brother. "He's a person with high energy and full of a spirit for life."
