Last hope for Nimisha Priya? Sunni leader steps in ahead of execution in Yemen

In last-minute efforts to save Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who is scheduled to be executed in Yemen tomorrow for the murder of a Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi, talks are underway to convince the victim's family to accept the blood money in exchange for forgiveness.

Intense efforts are underway to halt the execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, which is scheduled for tomorrow in Yemen, news agency PTI reported. A prominent Sunni Muslim leader - Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, who holds the title of Grand Mufti of India - has stepped in for discussions with the family of the victim, Talal Abdo Mahdi, to convince them to accept 'blood money' in exchange for forgiveness.

Kanthapuram, 94, who is officially known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, held talks with religious authorities in Yemen. At his behest, Sufi leader Sheikh Habib Umar bin Hafiz would facilitate a meeting with Mahdi's family in Dhamar on Tuesday at 10 am local time.

Kanthapuram's office said a close relative of the victim, who is also the Chief Justice of the Hodeidah State Court and a member of the Yemeni Shura Council, has arrived in Dhamar to take part in the talks today. He was advised to do the same by Umar bin Hafiz.

"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," PTI reported, quoting the statement by Kanthapuram's office.

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