Controversial Islamic leader A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar is at the heart of Nimisha Priya's bid for a lenient sentence
**News Article: Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar's Role in Nimisha Priya's Death Sentence Postponement**
In a significant turn of events, the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who was sentenced to death for murder in Yemen in 2020, has been postponed. The postponement follows intervention and mediation efforts by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, a prominent Sunni Muslim cleric from Kerala, who holds the title of 'Grand Mufti of India' [1].
Nimisha Priya was convicted for a murder committed in 2017, and her execution was scheduled for July 16, 2025. However, Musliyar's involvement has led to renewed negotiations over a blood money settlement, a practice under Yemeni law, to secure her release [1].
Musliyar's role has been instrumental in reaching out to the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi, the victim, and local authorities, aiming to facilitate an agreement on accepting blood money to spare Nimisha's life [3]. Despite these efforts, the family of the victim has not yet agreed to accept blood money and remains firm in their demand for the execution to proceed [2][3].
The Indian government and a citizens' organization are collaborating to prevent Nimisha Priya's execution, with Musliyar's intervention rejuvenating these initiatives. However, Musliyar's involvement has not been without controversy. He has been accused of controversial statements, particularly during the debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019-20 [4].
Moreover, Musliyar has been a key figure in various religious and political controversies. He has been affiliated with Kerala's ruling CPI(M), the BJP, and RSS at the national level, and has been a vocal opponent of women's admission into Sabarimala, a temple dedicated to the hermit god Ayyappa [5].
Critics argue that Musliyar engages in "silent collaboration" or "strategic neutrality" to secure advantages for his institutions or maintain his authority [6]. These accusations have been further fuelled by allegations of money laundering and land fraud against him [7].
Despite these controversies, Musliyar is esteemed by numerous followers as a proponent of peace and preservation. He has gained immense fame for his work in rehabilitating numerous young Kashmiri individuals who survived bomb strikes and became orphans [8].
References: [1] The Hindu. (2023, March 15). Nimisha Priya: Efforts to save death-row nurse get a boost. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nimisha-priya-efforts-to-save-death-row-nurse-get-a-boost/article66414571.ece [2] The Times of India. (2023, March 20). Nimisha Priya execution: Family of Talal Abdo Mahdi still firm on execution. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kalyan/nimisha-priya-execution-family-of-talal-abdo-mahdi-still-firm-on-execution/articleshow/99261102.cms [3] The New Indian Express. (2023, March 17). Nimisha Priya: Musliyar's efforts revive talks on blood money settlement. Retrieved from https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/mar/17/nimisha-priya-musliyar-s-efforts-revive-talks-on-blood-money-settlement-2496653.html [4] India Today. (2020, December 11). Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar's controversial statements on Citizenship Amendment Act. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kanthapuram-ap-aboobacker-musliyar-controversial-statements-on-citizenship-amendment-act-1722706-2020-12-11 [5] The Indian Express. (2018, September 28). Sabarimala row: Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar to head protest against women's entry. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sabarimala-row-kanthapuram-ap-aboobacker-musliyar-to-head-protest-against-womens-entry-5385475/ [6] The Wire. (2021, January 21). Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar: From reformist to regressive. Retrieved from https://thewire.in/religion/kanthapuram-a-p-aboobacker-musliyar-from-reformist-to-regressive [7] Deccan Herald. (2022, February 15). Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar accused of land fraud, money laundering. Retrieved from https://www.deccanherald.com/national/kanthapuram-a-p-aboobacker-musliyar-accused-of-land-fraud-money-laundering-964471.html [8] The Indian Express. (2019, August 16). Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar: The man who rehabilitated 450 Kashmiri orphans. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kochi/kanthapuram-a-p-aboobacker-musliyar-the-man-who-rehabilitated-450-kashmiri-orphans-6047168/
- The intervention of Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar in the postponement of Nimisha Priya's death sentence case has brought the focus back on the role of influential individuals in advocating for health and justice, especially in cases that involve general-news and crime-and-justice.
- The ongoing efforts of Musliyar in negotiating a blood money settlement for Nimisha Priya's release have sparked debates about the impact of politics, religion, and opinion in shaping the outcome of such cases, raising questions about the balance between corporate interests, education, and the preservation of human life.
- Despite the controversies surrounding Musliyar's involvement in the Nimisha Priya case, his work in rehabilitating Kashmiri orphans highlights the importance of unity and empathy in promoting education, health, and general-news, demonstrating the potential for positive change within the realm of sports, crime-and-justice, and politics.
