Explained: How Kanthapuram’s Intervention Changes Nimisha Priya’s Case In Yemen
An unexpected intervention has brought a renewed sense of hope in the execution case of nurse Nimisha Priya!
With the clock ticking down to July 16, the scheduled execution date of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen, an unexpected intervention has brought a renewed sense of hope this time, not from diplomats or legal appeals, but from spiritual diplomacy led by Kerala’s influential Sunni cleric Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar.
What Happened To Nimisha Priya In Yemen?
Nimisha Priya, a native of Kerala, has been on death row since 2020 for the alleged murder of her Yemeni business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi. Her final legal plea was rejected last year, leaving very few official paths to stop the execution. However, over the past few days, Kanthapuram also known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad and widely regarded as the Grand Mufti of India has taken a different route by engaging Yemen’s powerful Sufi religious circles.
On Kanthapuram’s request, Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, a respected spiritual figure in Yemen, stepped in to open communication with Talal’s family, something that had been impossible for years due to the emotional and social complexities around the case. The family belongs to a tribal community in Dhamar.
As a result, a crucial meeting is now underway in Dhamar between the victim’s relatives and the other members representing the Sufi community. One of Talal’s close family members, who also holds the position of Chief Justice in Hodeidah and is part of Yemen’s Shura Council, is reportedly part of the discussion. His participation is viewed as a major shift in the otherwise rigid stance the family has held.
More Details
Sources close to the situation say the talks will explore the possibility of resolving the issue through the traditional concept of “blood money,” a practice under Islamic law where compensation is paid to the victim’s family in exchange for clemency. Kanthapuram’s team has also made an urgent request to the Yemeni authorities to temporarily pause the execution to give the negotiations a chance.
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First Published: July 15, 2025 12:54 PM
