Kanthapuram’s Quiet Intervention Helped Stall Nimisha Priya’s Execution: A Deeper Look At India’s Islamic Scholar
In the ongoing legal and humanitarian effort to save Indian nurse Nimisha Priya from execution in Yemen, a key intervention came from an unexpected but highly respected figure, Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar.
Though largely working away from the public eye, sources close to the case confirmed that Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, as he is formally known, engaged with religious and social leaders in Yemen through informal channels, invoking Islamic legal provisions of compassion and mercy, including Diyya (blood money). His moral and religious authority was a decisive factor in keeping negotiations with the victim’s family open and peaceful.
Senior political leaders across party lines, including Leader of the Opposition in Kerala V. D. Satheesan, MP John Brittas, and MLA Chandy Oommen, have publicly appreciated Kanthapuram’s intervention.
They acknowledged his global religious standing and influence as instrumental in maintaining diplomatic momentum in a country where India has no official diplomatic ties with the Houthi administration.
Born on 22 March 1931 in Kerala, Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar has become a towering figure in India’s Islamic arena. Officially called Grand Mufti of India by his supporters since 2019, he holds the position of General Secretary of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama and the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama (AP Faction).
His formal appointment as Grand Mufti came after the death of Grand Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qadri in 2018, with an inauguration at Delhi’s historic Ramlila Maidan that saw record-breaking attendance.
Beyond titles, Kanthapuram’s stature has been earned through decades of grassroots engagement, religious scholarship, interfaith dialogue, and educational reform, making him one of the most respected Muslim voices in South Asia and the Middle East.
Kanthapuram is the Chairman of the Sheikh Zayed International Peace Conference and a keynote speaker at numerous global peace summits, including the World Tolerance Summit in Dubai and the Global Conference of Human Fraternity, where he met Pope Francis in 2019.
In 2014, he became the first Islamic leader in India to issue a fatwa against ISIS, denouncing terrorism in all its forms. This bold stance was documented in the UAE National Archives, underscoring his influence beyond India.
Kanthapuram’s commitment to education is equally significant. He has founded and supports a wide network of institutions under Markaz Knowledge City in Kozhikode, including the Markaz Unani Medical College & Hospital. His campaigns include a nationwide tree-planting initiative launched in 2014 and ongoing programs in healthcare, skill development, and religious education.
Also, read| Yemeni Family Yet To Respond To $1 Million Offer As Nimisha Priya Awaits Death
Not without controversy, Kanthapuram has been candid about his religious interpretations. His views on gender roles, including his 2015 comment questioning gender equality as “intellectually wrong,” were widely debated. However, he has maintained that Islamic principles must be interpreted through authentic jurisprudence, not populism.
On the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he opposed the bill and participated in protests, but cautioned against disruptive hartals. He also urged that religion should be removed as a criterion for citizenship, meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in 2020 to convey this position.
Kanthapuram’s work has earned him numerous international honours, including:
-
International Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award (Malaysia, 2023)
-
Islamic Heritage Award (Saudi Arabia)
-
Jewels of World Muslim Biz Award (Malaysia, 2016)
-
Ras Al Khaimah Islamic Academy Award (1992)
-
Best Indo-Arab Personality Award (2006)
-
Inclusion in the 500 Most Influential Muslims list, multiple years
In the 1980s, Kanthapuram played a central role in a split within the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, leading the AP faction while the EK faction remained separate. Despite the schism, both factions continue to represent Kerala’s dominant Sunni community. Efforts for unity continue, with Kanthapuram advocating for cooperation and coordination.
