Nimisha Priya’s execution in Yemen, scheduled for today, postponed after Grand Mufti of India and Sheikh Habib of Yemen hold talks

New Delhi: The death sentence of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who was sentenced to death in Yemen, has been postponed for the time being. She was to be executed by shooting today, July 16. According to media reports, activist groups and influential religious leaders intervened in the matter, after which the death sentence of Nimisha Priya was postponed.

Earlier, many efforts were also made at the diplomatic level to save Nimisha from the death penalty. There is also news that the victim’s family has not yet agreed to clemency or blood money.

Last effort fruitful

As a last-ditch effort to save her, Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar is said to lead a delegation to talk to and assure the victim’s family to accept blood money and pardon Priya, the only legal option left under Yemeni law to halt her execution.

Who is Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad?

Officially known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar is the 10th and current Grand Mufti of India. He is also the General Secretary of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama (the Indian Muslim Scholars Association) and General Secretary of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama of AP Sunnis.

How was Nimisha Priya’s execution halted?

Talks between religious leaders of India and Yemen continue as according to a report, Grand Mufti of India A. P. Abubakar Musliyar of Kanthapuram and famous Sufi scholar Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz of Yemen are talking on this issue. The discussions also include a judge of the Supreme Court of Yemen and the brother of the deceased.

Mufti Musliyar persuaded Sheikh Habib of Yemen for talks. This is also the first time that a close member of the victim’s family has agreed to the talks. It has to be noted that the entire conversation is taking place under Sharia law, which gives the victim’s family the legal right to forgive the culprit without any condition or in exchange for blood money.

When was Nimisha Priya convicted?

Thirty-seven-year-old Nimisha Priya was convicted in the 2017 murder case of her Yemeni business partner. Since then she has been on death row in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. According to Priya’s legal team, she gave sedatives to Talal Abdo Mahdi to recover her passport and escape what she described as prolonged abuse. However, Mahdi died of overdose, and Priya was arrested while attempting to leave the country.

News