Who Is That Cleric Who Stood Between Nimisha Priya and the Noose?

International News: The life of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who is facing death sentence in Yemen, is still hanging in balance. Meanwhile, the role of India's 94-year-old respected Islamic religious leader Kanthapuram AP Abubakar Musliyar has been very decisive in this entire incident. On the basis of his religious reach in the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, he opened those doors where even India's diplomacy had become limited.

38-year-old Nimisha Priya, a resident of Kerala, was arrested in Yemen in 2017 for the murder of her Yemeni business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi. The court sentenced her to death and the date of execution was fixed for July 16. But just before that, the hanging has been temporarily stayed due to the religious efforts of Musliyar.

Who is Kanthapuram AP Abubakar Musliyar?

Kanthapuram Musliyar's real name is Sheikh Abu Bakr Ahmed. He hails from Kozhikode in Kerala and is the general secretary of the All India Sunni Jamiatul Ulama. He holds the status of the highest religious leadership in the Sunni Muslim community in South India. His followers recognize him as the 'Grand Mufti of India', although this position is not formally given by the government. He is also the chairman of a cultural and educational project called Markaz Knowledge City, which works to combine Islamic traditions and modern education.

Yemen's religious leaders meet after appeal

Before the hanging of Nimisha Priya, India had very limited diplomatic options to influence Yemen because India has no formal relationship with the Houthi rebels. In such a situation, Musliyar contacted the Sufi scholars of Yemen and appealed for mercy on the basis of Sharia law. He said that I contacted the responsible Islamic scholars of Yemen and explained the situation to them. In Sharia, the person guilty of murder can be forgiven by the victim's family or compensation (Diya) can be taken. After Musliyar's appeal, a meeting of religious leaders of Yemen was called. 

Information was also given to PMO

Maulana Musliyar also informed the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) about his efforts and appealed for the government's support in this humanitarian effort. He has sent a formal letter on this subject so that it can help in accepting the blood money offered by India.