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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Who is Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, the Grand Mufti of India, who helped defer Nimisha Priya's execution in Yemen?
Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, officially known as Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar and serving as the tenth Grand Mufti of India, has successfully facilitated the deferment of the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen. The intervention, built on his role as India's highest Sunni religious authority and carried out through Islamic legal norms like diyāh (blood money), spotlights a rare instance of religious and diplomatic mediation in a foreign Sharia court. Who is Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad and how did he become Grand Mufti? Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad was elected Grand Mufti of India on February 24, 2019, by the All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam, a national body of Sunni clerics. Born as A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar in Kanthapuram, Kozhikode, Kerala, he has risen to national prominence through his decades-long leadership in Islamic education, social welfare, and public discourse. He is also the general secretary of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama and the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama — two of India's most influential Sunni Muslim organisations. His rise to the title of Grand Mufti, a largely symbolic but influential position, marked a historic moment as he became one of the few South Indian scholars to hold the post. What are his religious credentials and institutional affiliations? According to his official website, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad is the founder and chancellor of Markazu Saquafathi Sunniyya (Jamia Markaz), established in 1978 in Kerala. The institution has expanded to encompass a comprehensive network of educational centres, charitable organisations, and social service units. He has represented Indian Muslim scholars at international forums, including sessions at the United Nations and events organised by UNESCO. He is also a regular participant in global interfaith conferences. Through initiatives such as the International Peace Conference and Markaz-run educational programmes, he has been involved in activities focused on education, religious scholarship, and community welfare. What prompted his intervention in the Nimisha Priya case? The case of Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, sentenced to death in Yemen for the 2017 murder of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi, drew widespread attention in India. With the execution scheduled for July 16, 2025, urgent appeals were made by human rights activists and public representatives. Among them was Kerala Congress MLA Chandy Oommen, who approached Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, requesting his intervention to secure clemency under Islamic law. Recognising the urgency and humanitarian concern, the Grand Mufti reached out to prominent Yemeni Sufi scholar Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz to explore the possibility of obtaining a pardon from the victim's family under the Islamic concept of diyāh. Also Read: Execution of Indian nurse in Yemen: Sunni leader Kanthapuram talks to Yemeni scholar in bid to save Nimisha Priya's life Yemen's legal system, rooted in Islamic law, allows for the family of a murder victim to pardon the accused in exchange for financial compensation, or diyāh. Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad utilised this principle in his appeal, stating that Islam encourages forgiveness and reconciliation. He emphasised to Yemeni religious leaders that 'in Islam, there is another law where the victim's family pardons the accused'. He suggested that this path be pursued in the case of Nimisha Priya. Through coordinated efforts involving Yemeni tribal leaders, judicial authorities, and religious scholars, her execution was temporarily deferred. What outcome has been achieved so far and what lies ahead? The most immediate outcome of Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad's intervention has been the postponement of Nimisha Priya's execution. The stay was granted after last-minute negotiations in Damar, Yemen, initiated through religious channels. Talks between the victim's family and mediators, both religious and diplomatic, are ongoing. The hope now is to secure a full pardon through a formal diyāh agreement, which could lead to Nimisha Priya 's release from capital punishment. In a final bid to save Nimisha Priya, Mr. Aboobacker Musliar has appealed to Mahdi's family to pardon her. With her execution looming, Nimisha Priya's fate now rests on the victim's family's willingness to accept $1 million in diyāh (blood money) and grant her clemency. Sources close to Mr. Aboobacker Musliar have been hopeful that Habib Omar's respected status and influence in Yemeni society will help secure a favourable outcome for Nimisha. Addressing the media at Karanthur, near Kozhikode, on Tuesday (July 15, 2025), Mr. Aboobacker Musliar said that he successfully appealed to Yemeni scholars to intervene in Nimisha Priya's case, considering the importance of saving a human life. 'We have just received official confirmation from the Yemeni authorities that Nimisha Priya's execution has been stayed based on our request. Let us all pray for her safe release,' he said.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Grand Mufti Of India: Cleric Who Claims Role In Stopping Kerala Nurse Execution
New Delhi: A top Indian Muslim cleric has played a key role in the postponement of the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen's capital, Sana'a. Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, the Grand Mufti of India, reached out to prominent Yemeni scholar Sheikh Umar bin Hafiz, urging him to intervene with the family of Talal Abdol Mehdi, the Yemeni man Priya was convicted of killing. Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, was sentenced to death in Yemen. Her legal team maintains the killing was accidental and happened during a time of abuse and distress. After the Grand Mufti's request, Sheikh Umar sent his students to talk to the victim's family. After several rounds of talks, the family agreed to pause the execution for four hours, giving Priya's legal team more time to act. Who Is The Grand Mufti Of India? The title Grand Mufti of India refers to a senior Islamic legal authority, often regarded as the highest-ranking among Islamic scholars in the country. Unlike in some Muslim-majority nations where such titles are granted by the state, in India, the designation is honorary and not officially recognised by the government. Sheikh Abubakr was officially conferred the title in February 2019 by the All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam during a gathering at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. He is recognised as the 10th individual to hold this title, particularly within the Sunni (Barelvi) Muslim community. In Islamic tradition, a "Mufti" is a scholar qualified to issue legal opinions under Sharia law. Who Is Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad? Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, also known as Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, is based in Kerala, the same state as Nimisha Priya, and is a respected religious leader in India and South Asia. Born in Kozhikode, Kerala, he serves on various Islamic scholars' councils at the state and national level and is frequently invited abroad for religious lectures and conferences, especially in the Gulf and Southeast Asia. He also leads the Markaz Knowledge City, a large educational and cultural township in Kozhikode that houses medical and law colleges, and a cultural centre. As the Grand Mufti, he offers fatwas (Islamic legal opinions) and guides on religious and social matters, particularly within the Barelvi school of Sunni Islam. Over the years, Sheikh Abubakr has courted controversy for some of his statements. During the 2019-20 protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he advised women not to participate in street demonstrations, saying, "Men will take care of it".
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Meet Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, the cleric who deferred Nimisha's execution
At 94 years of age, Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar— known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad—has taken centre stage in the efforts to delay the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen. Nimisha Priya's execution was scheduled for July 16 in the killing of her business partner, and Yemeni citizen, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in 2017. According to news reports, Musliyar held talks with religious authorities in Yemen, urging them to release the 37-year-old nurse. The Kerala-based religious leader reportedly made last-minute interventions to stop the execution of the 37-year-old nurse, who hails from the same state. His appeal was supported by a prominent Sufi scholar from Yemen. Here's all you need to know about A P Aboobacker Musliyar * Musliyar, also known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, is a prominent Sunni cleric based in Kerala and holds influence across South Asia, according to Mint. * Born in Kozhikode, he is the head of the Markaz Knowledge City project, an initiative in Kozhikode. It has medical and law colleges, as well as a cultural centre. * In February 2019, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad was formally recognised as the Grand Mufti of India at the Gareeb Nawaz Peace Conference held at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. The event was organised by the All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam. * He also serves as the general secretary of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama. * Abubakr Ahmad made news in the past for opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a stance that drew criticism from some within his community. * In 2020, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to revise the CAA and the NRC by removing religion as a basis for citizenship eligibility. * In 2019, he had also called upon the Muslim community to accept the Supreme Court's verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute. Abubakr's role in Nimisha Priya's execution Speaking to ANI, Abubakr said 'In Islam, instead of killing, there is also a practice of giving Diya (compensation). I requested them to accept Diyaat as the party is ready here for it. There are talks going on about whether my request has to be accepted. The date of execution was tomorrow, but it has now been postponed for some days.' He said that he is not considering Priya's religion but rather her humanity as he sought her release. 'We have demanded this as human beings. If such a demand is accepted, then it will be very easy for Muslims in India. Muslims and Hindus all live on the same platform here,' he said.
Mint
7 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Who's the ‘Grand Mufti of India', Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad? What's his role in deferring Nimisha Priya's execution in Yemen?
Influential Muslim cleric Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar has emerged as a key figure in ensuring the deferment of the scheduled execution of the Indian nurse in Yemen. The 94-year-old Musliyar, who is officially known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad and is revered as 'Grand Mufti of India,' held talks with religious authorities in Yemen, who were in contact with the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi, the Yemeni national she allegedly killed in 2017. Nimisha Priya, the nurse from Kerala, was scheduled to be executed on July 16 for the murder of Mahdi, her Yemeni business partner. Now the execution has been delayed. Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad made last-minute efforts to halt the execution of the Kerala nurse, with support from a Yemeni Sufi scholar, according to news agencies. He said that his intervention, at the request of Congress leader Chandy Oommen, has led to halting of the scheduled execution of Nimisha Priya. Shashi Tharoor, the Congress MP from Kerala's Thiruvanananthapuram, hailed the role played by the Mufti. "Kerala is praying unitedly for his efforts to be successful. Honourable Kanthapuram Ustad has shown us that humanity is the most important in today's era where there are attempts to divide humans and cultivate hatred and hatred in the name of religion and community," Tharor wrote in a post on Facebook. Musliyar, whose official name is Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, is based in Kerala, the home state of 37-year-old Nimisha Priya. He is a revered figure among the Sunni Muslims, not just India but across South Asia. Widely known as the 'Grand Mufti of India', the title is not official. In Islam, a Mufti is a Muslim scholar who is qualified to issue legal opinions (fatwas) on matters of Islamic law (Sharia). They act as interpreters of Islamic law, providing guidance on religious and personal matters. The term "Grand Mufti" often refers to the highest-ranking mufti in a region or country, like the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. There is no official Grand Mufti in India. Abubakr, the general secretary of All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama, was, however, conferred the 'Grand Mufti of India' title in February 2019 at the Gareeb Nawaz Peace Conference held at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, organised by the All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam. Born in Kozhikode, Abubakr is chairman of the Markaz Knowledge City project, a private integrated township in his hometown. The project has medical and law colleges, as well as a cultural centre. Abubakr was also in the news earlier. He opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act but was criticised within the community for his stand against women protesting against the CAA. He met both the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah in March 2020 and urged them to amend the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens to remove religion from the list of eligibility criteria for citizenship Abubakr also appealed to the Muslim community to welcome the Supreme Court verdict on Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi issue. Sources said negotiations regarding blood money have taken place, and the details were conveyed to the concerned parties in Kerala. However, there has been no official communication regarding the status of the negotiations. "Islam has another law. If the murderer is sentenced to death, the family of the victim has the right to pardon. I don't know who this family is, but from a long distance, I contacted the responsible scholars in Yemen,' he told news agency ANI. 'I made them understand the issues. Islam is a religion that places a lot of importance on humanity,' he added. Under Shariah law, as applied in Yemen, blood money is a legally recognised financial compensation paid to the family of a person who has been killed. It is a legally sanctioned alternative to capital punishment in Islamic jurisprudence. 'After I requested that they intervene and take action, the scholars (in Yemen) met, discussed, and stated that they would do what they could. They have officially informed us and sent a document stating that the date of execution has been postponed, which will help facilitate the ongoing discussions," he said. Meanwhile, sources said that an office has been opened at Musliyar's headquarters here to facilitate the negotiations. Nimisha Priya, hailing from Palakkad district, was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023. She is currently imprisoned in a jail in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. Centre informed the Supreme Court that the government could do "nothing much" in the case of the nurse facing execution on July 16. Attorney General R Venkataramani informed a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that the government was doing "utmost possible". Islam is a religion that places a lot of importance on humanity. "The Government of India is trying its best," Venkataramani said, "and has also engaged with some sheikhs who are very influential people there."
