Shia body urges govt. to secure release of detained Indian Muslims in Gulf countries

The All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) on Friday (July 17, 2026) urged the Union government to take immediate diplomatic steps to secure the release and safe return of Indian Shia Muslims reportedly detained in several West Asian countries. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, AISPLB general secretary Maulana Yasoob Abbas said the issue was humanitarian in nature and required urgent intervention by the government.

Mr. Abbas said that the All India Shia Personal Law Board had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the Centre to engage diplomatically with the governments of the countries concerned and ensure the safety and legal rights of the detained Indian citizens. “We have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to treat this as a serious humanitarian issue. These Indian citizens deserve protection, justice and every possible diplomatic effort for their safe release and return to India,” said Maulana Yasoob Abbas, while sharing the names of 11 Indians detained in several Gulf countries at the press conference.

Help in repatriation

The memorandum stated that several Indian Shia Muslims had reportedly been detained in countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE, allegedly because of their religious beliefs. According to the Board, many of them had travelled abroad only in search of employment and a better future. “The Ministry of External Affairs and Indian embassies must immediately engage with the authorities of the concerned countries to ensure the detainees receive fair treatment, legal assistance and are repatriated without unnecessary delay,” Mr. Abbas said.

Expressing confidence in the Government of India, the All India Shia Personal Law Board representative added: “We have full faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India’s foreign policy. We believe the government will make every effort to protect the interests, dignity and fundamental rights of Indian citizens facing this difficult situation.”

The AISPLB released a list of 11 Indian nationals reportedly detained in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The Board urged the Centre to initiate immediate diplomatic dialogue with the respective governments and ensure the safe and early return of the detainees to India. The memorandum was accompanied by the names of the affected individuals and called upon the Government of India to treat the matter with the utmost urgency.