Grand Mufti Of India Seeks Intervention Of President Murmu & PM Modi In Nimisha Priya Case

The Grand Mufti of India, Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, has reached out to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging them to support ongoing efforts aimed at securing the release of Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala imprisoned in Yemen.

This appeal follows the recent successful stay on Priya’s execution, scheduled initially for 16 July 2025.

Nimisha Priya, originally from Palakkad district in Kerala, faced conviction by a Yemeni court in 2020 for the murder of her business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi.

Since her conviction, Priya has remained incarcerated under a death sentence. The case has been under intense scrutiny, both within India and internationally, due to concerns over the fairness of the trial and the severity of the sentence.

The Grand Mufti of India prompted Yemeni authorities to defer the execution just a day before it was scheduled by contacting Yemeni Sufi cleric Shaikh Habeeb Ummer, who initiated vital dialogue between the parties.

Jawad Mustafawy, a close aide of the Mufti who studied Islamic Philosophy in Yemen, revealed to IANS that the second phase of efforts is now underway.

“Our objective is Nimisha’s release. The Mufti initiated contact with Shaikh Habeeb Ummer, who has facilitated swift progress,” he stated.

Next Steps and Requests for Support

Mustafawy explained that a Yemeni delegation, including women representatives appointed by Ummer, will soon visit the deceased’s family to explore avenues for reconciliation and easing tensions.

Crucially, the Grand Mufti plans to send a formal letter to President Murmu and PM Modi seeking permission to dispatch a delegation from India.

This group will include members of the Nimisha Action Council, Delhi-based advocate Subhash Chandra, and two representatives assigned by the Mufti himself.

Mustafawy emphasised the need for central government clearance to facilitate this.

Nimisha Priya’s family, politicians, and supporters are drafting a memorandum to thank Yemeni authorities for their cooperation in suspending the execution.

Yemeni court documents allege that Priya drugged Talal Abdo Mahdi and, with the assistance of another nurse, dismembered his body before disposing of it in an underground tank.

These events reportedly followed personal and professional disputes.

Despite her final appeal being rejected in 2023, the reprieve on her execution has renewed hope for a peaceful resolution.

The involvement of the Grand Mufti and the growing diplomatic efforts underscore the seriousness with which the Indian authorities and community leaders are approaching this delicate situation.

As negotiations enter a critical phase, all eyes remain on the response from President Murmu, Prime Minister Modi, and the Indian government.

This case highlights the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement in protecting Indian citizens abroad and reflects the broader challenges of navigating complex legal systems in foreign jurisdictions.

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