Bust him, Bone!” The echo of the 9mm handgun resonated in the quiet night, marking the tragic end for 20-year-old Tariq Khamisa, a college student and pizza delivery man. His assailant: young eighth-grader Tony Hicks.
This marked the start of a profound spiritual journey for Azim Khamisa, Tariq’s grieving father. Drawn to the concept of “bardo” from Tibetan Buddhism— a transitional period between life states—Azim found himself navigating the dark abyss of loss. Anchored by his deep Islamic Ismaili faith and a desire to give meaning to Tariq’s death, he channeled his grief into compassionate actions.
Guided by the wisdom that such acts serve as “spiritual currency” for the departed soul, Azim rejected the path of revenge. Instead, he recognized the tragedy in both lives: his son and the young shooter. This realization led him to unite with Tony’s grandfather, Ples Felix, culminating in the establishment of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation. This initiative advocates for restorative justice, healing victims, communities, and offenders.