Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir have shared the top spot in the latest edition of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims, alongside the Saudi king and crown prince and the Turkish president.
The rankings have been compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC), a research institute based in Amman, Jordan. It has been publishing an annual report titled “The 500 Most Influential Muslims” since 2009, recognising and highlighting individuals who have made significant contributions to Muslim communities.
This is the first time that the list features multiple names for the top rank, recognising the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
“While this unified top spot features five individuals, it is actually divided into three shared entries that represent a massive shift in how Muslim nations are working together to protect one another. The main reason for this historic decision is the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,” the edition said.
It added, “This mutual-defence pact unites the immense wealth of Saudi Arabia, the advanced tech and manufacturing of Turkiye, and the powerful military strength of Pakistan into a collective alliance.
“Modelled on a ‘one for all, all for one’ approach to security, this pact has completely reshaped regional politics.”
The top five in the rankings also include Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is ranked at number six while United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has been ranked at number 12. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Saeed El-Sisi is at number 22.
Pakistani Scholar Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani has been listed as the seventh most influential Muslim, while Scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil is ranked at 32.
Footballer Mohamed Salah is ranked at 39.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is listed at number 45, followed by Syrian Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa at the 46th place.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is listed as the 49th most influential Muslim in the list.
Honourable mentions in politics include Hamas Chief Khalil Al-Hayya, former prime minister Imran Khan, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and American Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed.
Honourable mentions in the “Social Issues, Science, Arts & Culture, Media and Sports” category include Jordan’s Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, British composer Sami Yusuf, Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, British-American broadcaster and journalist Mehdi Hasan and Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef.
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