‘Islam Allows Pardon’: Grand Mufti Details Efforts To Save Nimisha Priya From Execution In Yemen
Grand Mufti Kanthapuram said that in Islam a murderer could be pardoned by the victim's family, which he said was possible under an Islamic law of giving 'Diya' (compensation).
India’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram, who helped in postponing Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya's execution in Yemen, said that he has spoken with Yemeni scholars to request the family of the victim to pardon the accused. He said that added that discussions are underway to determine whether his request has been accepted.
Kanthapuram said that in Islam a murderer could be pardoned by the victim's family, which he said was possible under an Islamic law of giving 'Diya' (compensation).
"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. I made them understand the issues. Islam is a religion that places a lot of importance on humanity,” ANI news agency quoted Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar as saying.
Grand Mufti contacted Sufi leader Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz, a prominent scholar in Yemen to halt Priya's execution. At the behest of the influential Muslim leader Kanthapuram, Hafiz is also set to meet with the victim Talal Abdo Mahdi's family on Tuesday at 10:00 AM, Yemeni local time.
Kanthapuram said that he does not look for religion or caste in public issues and that he made the request for humanity.
#WATCH | Kozhikode, Kerala | On the case of Nimisha Priya, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram says "A murder happened in Yemen. After the murder, a case was filed in court and the court ordered the execution of Nimisha Priya. In Islam, instead of killing, there is also… pic.twitter.com/6O1wTBR744
— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025
Kanthapuram's office stated that a close relative of the victim has also arrived in Dhamar, Talal's hometown, to take part in the talks, following the advice of Sheikh Habib Umar.
"The fact that he is a follower of Sheikh Habib Umar's Sufi order and the son of another prominent Sufi leader offers great hope. Along with persuading the family, he is also expected to meet the Attorney General to initiate urgent efforts to postpone the execution scheduled for tomorrow," it said.
How He Facilitated Nimisha Priya's Execution Postponement
Grand Mufti said that he requested the Yemeni scholars to intervene and take action, they met and discussed the matter and told him what they could do. He further said that he has received a document noting that Nimisha Priya's execution, which was scheduled for July 16, has been postponed.
"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.
"I have also informed the Central government about the discussions and the process. I have also sent a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office. We don’t look for religion or caste in public issues. You all know that," the Muslim leader added.
The Kerala nurse was arrested in July 2017 for murdering a Yemeni man Talal Abdo Mahdi. He was her business partner. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023 by the Supreme Judicial Council. She is currently imprisoned in a jail in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen.
Top Headlines
