Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, widely recognized as the Grand Mufti of India, has played a pivotal role in delaying the execution of 37‑year‑old Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, sentenced to death in Yemen for an alleged fatal incident involving her employer. The cleric, conferred the title in February 2019 by the All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam, is the tenth individual to hold this position.

According to NDTV, Sheikh Abubakr contacted Yemeni scholar Sheikh Umar bin Hafiz, urging him to persuade the victim’s family to grant a reprieve. After talks orchestrated by Sheikh Umar’s students, the family agreed to postpone the execution by four hours - providing legal teams critical time . As per Hindustan Times, the Grand Mufti emphasized that Islamic law allows a victim’s family to pardon a death sentence under certain conditions.

Based in Kozhikode, Kerala, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad heads educational and cultural institutions, including the expansive Markaz Knowledge City and the Jamiul Futuh mosque. His intervention underscores a powerful blend of religious diplomacy and humanitarian outreach, acting alongside official diplomatic channels to secure a temporary stay for Nimisha.