Nurse Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death in Yemen. The sentence was deferred by Yemeni clerics on the initiative of Grand Mufti Sheikh Abu Bakr. This effort is an example of humanity.
Nimisha Priya: The life of 34-year-old nurse Nimisha Priya from Kerala was in danger. The Yemeni court had sentenced her to death in a case of murder, and she was to be hanged on July 16. But a piece of good news emerged at the last moment. Thanks to the efforts of senior Indian Islamic religious leader and Grand Mufti Sheikh Abu Bakr Kanthapuram, Yemen temporarily deferred the sentence. This initiative has ignited new hope not only in Nimisha but also in her family and supporters.
Sentence deferred through Sheikh Abu Bakr's mediation
Sheikh Abu Bakr Kanthapuram had contacted Islamic scholars in Yemen and appealed for their intervention in the matter. He explained that Islam provides for diya (blood money) or forgiveness in such cases. If the victim's family forgives or accepts compensation, the accused can get relief.
He told the media, "The way of law in Islam is different. I contacted the responsible clerics of Yemen and appealed to them to look at this matter from a humanitarian perspective. They took the matter seriously and informed us that the death sentence has been postponed for now."
Message sent to the Central Government and the PMO
Sheikh Abu Bakr also informed the Central Government and the Prime Minister's Office about this process and the conversations. He said that this is a matter related to humanity and there should be no role of religion or caste in it. He also clarified that people of all religions in India live on one platform, and this is the identity of our unity.
According to Islamic law, one way to avoid punishment in murder cases is to give diya (compensation). Under this, if the victim's family forgives the offender and accepts financial compensation, the death sentence can be stopped. Sheikh Abu Bakr requested the Yemeni clerics to consider this option as people in India are ready for it.
Who is Sheikh Abu Bakr Kanthapuram
Sheikh Abu Bakr Ahmad, also known as Kanthapuram A.P. Abubakr Musliar, is the tenth and current Grand Mufti of India. Born on March 22, 1931, in Kozhikode, Kerala, Sheikh Abu Bakr is a prominent Sufi scholar and social worker. He is the General Secretary of All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama and the Chancellor of Jamia Markaz.
He issued the first fatwa against the terrorist organization ISIS in 2014. In addition, he has been active in the field of interfaith dialogue, social harmony, and education. Thousands of people have benefited from initiatives like his organization Markaz Knowledge City.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed appreciation
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, reacting to the development, said that this news is a relief. He said that the postponement of Nimisha Priya's sentence has given her family some more time to complete the legal process. The Chief Minister, while appreciating the efforts of Mufti Abu Bakr Kanthapuram and the Action Council, said that this is an example of a humanitarian initiative.
