The 500 Most Influential Muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...

THE 500 MOST 

INFLUENTIAL 

MUSLIMS 

 

2010

THE 

500 MOST 

INFLUENTIAL 

MUSLIMS 

= 

2010 

first edition - 2010

CHIEF EDITORS 

Dr Joseph Lumbard and Dr Aref Ali Nayed 

PREPARED BY 

Usra Ghazi 

DESIGNED AND TYPESET BY 

Simon Hart 

CONSULTANT 

Siti Sarah Muwahidah 

WITH THANKS TO 

Aftab Ahmed, Emma Horton, Mark B D Jenkins, Lamya Al-Khraisha, 

Mohammad Husni Naghawi, Kinan Al-Shaghouri, Farah El-Sharif, 

Jacob Washofsky and Zahna Zurar 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced 

in any manner without the prior consent of the publisher. 

Copyright © 2010 by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

( // ) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISBN: 978-9975-428-37-2 

( ) 

the royal islamic strategic studies centre

CONTENTS 

= 

introduction 1 

the diversity of islam 7 

top 50 25 

runners-up 91 

the lists 95 

1. Scholarly 97 

2. Political 107 

3. Administrative 115 

4. Lineage 125 

5. Preachers 127 

6. Women’s Issues 131 

7. Youth 137 

8. Philanthropy 139 

9. Development 141 

10. Science, Technology, Medicine, Law 151

11. Arts and Culture 155 

Qur’an Reciters 161 

12. Media 163 

13. Radicals 167 

14. International Islamic Networks 169 

15. Issues of the Day 171 

glossary 175 

appendix 181 

Majority Muslim Countries 183 

Muslim Population Statistics 185 

not listed in 2010 197 

index 205 

note on format 219

INTRODUCTION 

=

introduction 

As an inaugural endeavor, The 500 Most Influential Muslims—2009 

challenged the definition of influence in the Muslim world while reporting 

on the contributions of those leaders and change-agents who have shaped 

social development and global movements in the past few years. With 

around 150,000 downloads of the e-book, it is no surprise that the list of 

Muslim leaders has been both widely scrutinized and praised. 

Major critiques of The 500 Most Influential Muslims—2009 address 

the methodology which informed the selection process of influential 

candidates. The individuals in this publication have been nominated and 

selected because they are influential as Muslims, deriving their influence 

from their religious identity. They are considered influential because their 

work impacts all fields of work and particularly, the religious endeavors 

of the Muslim world. Their influence and accomplishments have been 

weighed against others in their respective fields and the heralds who have 

made it to the top ranks this past year are profiled in the following pages. 

However, like any other superlative-themed ranking, there is bound to be a 

degree of subjectivity and this publication is no exception. Comparing the 

work of leaders across continents and diverse fields of work is a mammoth 

task structured on the premise that there is no absolute common measure 

between the people in these pages. Despite this reality, the benefit of such 

a list is that it elucidates the multiplicity of challenges and successes facing 

the Muslim world and the beacons at the forefront of these developments. 

In many cases, the leaders’ influence is derived from political and religious 

authority—which is common to most of the individuals in the top 50. 

These people possess powerful positions but it is the potency of their 

work and the roles they play in the lives of the average citizen that garner 

influence. Naturally, heads of state and leading scholars comprise the 

highest ranks. Leaders from last year’s edition, such as His Majesty Sultan 

Qaboos bin Sa’id al Sa’id or US Representative Keith Ellison, are presented 

again for 2010 because they continue to affect global society through their 

capacities as political leaders. The other major criterion that warrants 

inclusion is if the leaders have had a major impact on the world in the 

past year. 

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4 

Introduction 

In total, we present 500 leaders in 15 categories of influence—Scholarly, 

Political, Administrative, Lineage, Preachers, Women’s Issues, Youth, 

Philanthropy, Development, Science/Technology/Medicine/Law, Arts and 

Culture, Media, Radicals, International Islamic Networks, and Issues of 

the Day. Changes in rank, and new entries are denoted by corresponding 

icons. Leaders are listed in alphabetical order by country and name. 

Disclaimer and Invitation to Participate 

We thank all those who submitted nominations for The 500 Most 

Influential Muslims—2010. RISSC will continue to keep the process 

as open as possible and we ask you to please submit nominations at 

www.rissc.jo. 

Demography of Influence 

Influence in the Muslim world is particular to its context. There is not 

a clear hierarchy or organized clergy for Muslims through which they 

identify a leader, such as a Patriarch for Orthodox Christians or a Pope for 

Catholics. Islam as a religion is based on the individual’s relationship with 

God, without an intermediary. Influence in the Muslim world is derived 

from two sources: scholarship, and respect and trust. Scholars are able to 

educate the masses or give esteemed opinions, and respected and trusted 

persons carry the weight of social and historical capital as leaders in their 

societies. 

As you will see, three types of people—monarchs, religious scholars, and 

leaders of religious networks—dominate the Top 50 list. Monarchs are 

well represented because of the influence they gain from their political 

power, the length of time they spend in office, their lineage in light of the 

institution of monarchy, and the deeply rooted establishments that they 

may inherit. Religious scholars are also strongly present in the list because 

they may be able to make religious rulings, and due to the simple fact that 

Muslims, of every hue, need figures from whom they can source concrete 

answers to practical questions. In a globalized world, networks of people 

and of institutions permeate our international society and accordingly 

have great power because of their ability to affect people’s lives, whether 

it be through funds or services. The Muslim world is no different and 

leaders of Islamic networks are represented in the top rungs of our list of 

500.

Introduction 

The one clear exception to this rule however is Amr Khaled who through 

sheer force of popularity and innovation—as the Muslim world’s first 

televangelist— exerts tremendous influence as a Muslim. Khaled has been 

able to chart his own course as a key figure in the Muslim world through 

the vehicle of mass media, and although as a layperson his religious 

authority is still somewhat limited he remains the great ‘start-up’ of the 

list. 

Another important exception is Fethullah Gülen, a preacher, thinker and 

educator. Although, he assumed the leadership of a religious movement 

started by Said Nursî (1878-1960) and thus leads an expansive network, he 

has gone on to become a global phenomenon in his own right. Gülen’s 

popularity and authority in Turkey have been the driving force of the social 

movement that is widely thought to have brought around the social and 

eventually political changes of which politician Recep Tayyip Erdogan has 

been the ultimate heir—that is the enfranchisement of Muslim politics in 

Turkey. 

Geography is also an important issue in terms of influence, with the Middle 

East and North America and Europe holding disproportionate influence 

in relation to the quantity of Muslims in these regions. It is important 

to clarify that individuals from the Middle East have a disproportionate 

influence in the Muslim world, due to the fact that the region has many 

of the oldest and most well-esteemed institutions for Muslims, and most 

importantly is home to the holy sites in Mecca and Medina. Europe and 

North America are host to a large proportion of the world’s most highly 

respected educational institutions and draw talented, influential people 

from around the world, with global outreach through their wealth and 

high academic standing. Many important international institutions are 

also based in Europe and North America, which adds to this asymmetry. 

5

THE 

DIVERSITY 

OF ISLAM 

i. the house of islam 9 

The Essence of Islam 9 

The Canon of Islam 11 

Islam in History 12 

ii. major doctrinal divisions within islam 14 

a. Sunni 14 

b. Shi’i 15 

c. Ibadi 15 

iii. major ideological divisions within islam 17 

a. Traditional Islam 18 

b. Islamic Modernism 21 

c. Islamic Fundamentalism 21

I. the house of islam 

This section reprinted by permission of Vincenzo Oliveti © 2001 

(with the exception of President Obama’s speech) 

The religion of Islam is based on belief in the One God (who in Arabic is called 

Allah). It was founded by the Prophet Muhammad (570-632 CE) in the ancient 

cities of Mecca and Medina, in the west coast of the Arabian Peninsula (known 

as the Hijaz). God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad the Holy Qur’an, the 

Sacred Book of Islam. The religion this created, however, was not a new message 

but simply a final restatement of God’s messages to the Hebrew Prophets and to 

Jesus. The Holy Qur’an says: 

Say ye: we believe in God and that which is revealed unto us and that which 

was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Tribes, 

and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received 

from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him 

we have submitted. (The Holy Qur’an, 2:136) 

Moreover, the Holy Qur’an did not exclude the possibility of revelations other 

than those that were given to the Prophets mentioned in the Bible (and thus 

did not exclude the possibility of other genuine ancient religions other than 

Judaism, Christianity and Islam). God says, in the Holy Qur’an: 

Verily we have sent Messengers before thee [O Muhammad]. About some of 

them have we told thee, and about some have we not told thee . . . (40:78). 

And verily we have raised in every nation a Messenger [proclaiming]: serve 

God and shun false gods . . . (16:36). 

THE ESSENCE OF ISLAM 

The essence and substance of Islam can be easily summed up by three major 

principles (which are also successive stages in the spiritual life): Islam (meaning 

‘submission to God’s will’); Iman (meaning ‘faith in God’), and Ihsan (meaning 

‘virtue through constant regard to, and awareness of, God’). The second Caliph, 

the great ‘Umar ibn al Khattab, related that: 

One day when we were sitting [in Medina] with the Messenger of God [the 

Prophet Muhammad] there came unto us a man whose clothes were of 

exceeding whiteness and whose hair was of exceeding blackness, nor were 

there any signs of travel upon him, although none of us knew him. He sat 

down knee upon knee opposite the Prophet, upon whose thighs he placed the 

palms of his hands, saying: ‘O Muhammad; tell me what is the surrender 

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10 

the house of islam 

(Islam)’. The Messenger of God answered him saying: ‘The surrender is to 

testify that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is God’s Messenger, 

to perform the prayer, bestow the alms, fast Ramadan and make if thou canst, 

the pilgrimage to the Holy House.’ He said, ‘Thou hast spoken truly,’ and we 

were amazed that having questioned him he should corroborate him. Then 

he said: ‘Tell me what is faith (Iman)’. He answered: ‘To believe in God and 

His Angels and his Books and His Messengers and the Last Day [the Day of 

Judgement], and to believe that no good or evil cometh but by His Providence.’ 

‘Thou hast spoken truly,’ he said, and then: ‘Tell me what is excellence (Ihsan).’ 

He answered: ‘To worship God as if thou sawest Him, for if Thou seest Him 

not, yet seeth He thee.’ ‘Thou hast spoken truly,’ he said...Then the stranger 

went away, and I stayed a while after he had gone; and the Prophet said to 

me: ‘O ‘Umar, knowest thou the questioner, who he was?’ I said, ‘God and 

His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘It was Gabriel [the Archangel]. He came 

unto you to teach you your religion.’ 1 

Thus Islam as such consists of ‘five pillars’: (1) the Shahadatayn or the ‘two 

testimonies of faith’ (whose inward meaning is the acknowledgement of God). 

(2) The five daily prayers (whose inward meaning is the attachment to God). (3) 

Giving alms or Zakat—one-fortieth of one’s income and savings annually to the 

poor and destitute (whose inward meaning is the detachment from the world). 

(4) Fasting the Holy month of Ramadan annually (whose inward meaning is 

detachment from the body and from the ego). (5) Making the Hajj (whose inner 

meaning is to return to one’s true inner heart, the mysterious square, blackshrouded 

Ka’ba in Mecca being the outward symbol of this heart). Thus also 

Iman as such consists of belief in all the essential doctrines of religion (and the 

inner meaning of this is that one should not go through the motions of religion 

and of the five pillars of Islam blindly or robotically, but rather have real faith 

and certainty in one’s heart). Thus, finally, Ihsan as such consists in believing 

that God always sees us, and therefore that one must be virtuous and sincere in 

all one’s actions. In this connection the Prophet said: ‘By Him in whose Hand 

is my Life, none of you believes till he loves for his neighbour what he loves for 

himself ‘. 2 In summary, we could say that the essence of Islam is exactly the Two 

Commandments upon which Jesus said hangs all the Law and the Prophets: 

And Jesus answered him, The first of all commandments is...the Lord our God 

is one Lord; And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with 

all thy soul, and with all thy understanding, and with all thy strength: this is 

the first commandment. And the second commandment is like, namely this, 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment 

greater than these. 3 

1 Sahih Muslim, ‘Kitab al Iman', 1, N.I. (The Hadiths of the Prophet, like all sacred texts, are written 

above in italics). 

2 Sahih Muslim, 'Kitab al Iman', 18, n. 72. 

3 The Gospel according to Mark 12:29 –31. (See also Deuteronomy 6:5; and Matthew 22:37- 40).


THE CANON OF ISLAM 

Islam does not, like Christianity, have a clergy. There is no temporal or even 

spiritual institute that holds it together or unifies it. So how has it held together— 

and indeed, flourished—for the last fourteen centuries approximately, when its 

scholars and temporal policymakers keep changing and dying out over time? 

How has it remained so homogeneous that the Islam of 1900 CE was doctrinally 

exactly the same as the Islam of 700 CE? Where have its internal checks and 

balances come from? 

The answer is that Islam has a traditional canon: 4 a collection of sacred texts 

which everyone has agreed are authoritative and definitive, and which ‘fix’ the 

principles of belief, practice, law, theology and doctrine throughout the ages. 

All that Muslim scholars (called ulema and muftis or sheikhs and imams) have 

left to do is to interpret these texts and work out their practical applications 

and details (and the principles of interpretation and elaboration are themselves 

‘fixed’ by these texts), so that in Islam a person is only considered learned to 

the extent that he can demonstrate his knowledge of these texts. This does not 

mean that Islam is a religion of limitations for these texts are a vast ocean and 

their principles can be inwardly worked out almost infinitely in practice. It 

does mean, however, that Islam is ‘fixed’ and has certain limits beyond which 

it will not go. This is an extremely important concept to understand, because 

misunderstanding it, and setting aside the traditional canon of Islam, leads to 

people killing and assassinating others in the name of religion. The traditional 

canon of Islam is what protects not just the religion of Islam itself, but the world 

(including Muslims themselves) from terrorism, murder and oppression in the 

name of Islam. The canon is Islam’s internal check and balance system; it is 

what safeguards its moderation; it is ‘self-censorship’ and its ultimate safety 

feature. 

To be more specific, the traditional Sunni Islamic Canon starts with the Qur’an 

itself; then the great traditional Commentaries upon it (e.g. Tabari; Razi; 

Zamakhshari/Baydawi; Qurtubi; Jalalayn; Ibn Kathir; Nasafi; and al Wahidi’s 

Asbab al Nuzul); then the eight traditional collections of Hadith, the sayings 

of the Prophet, (e.g. Muslim; Bukhari; Tirmidhi; Ibn Hanbal, al Nasa’i; al 

Sijistani; al Darimi and Ibn Maja); the later Muhaddithin, or Traditionists (e.g. 

Bayhaqi; Baghawi; Nawawi and ‘Asqalani); then the traditional biographical 

and historical works of Sira (Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Sa’d, Waqidi; Azraqi; Tabari; and 

Suhayli); the Risala of al Shafi’i: the Muwatta’ of Imam Malik; the Ihya’ ‘Ulum 

al Din of Ghazali; Ash‘arite and Maturidian theology; the (original)’Aqida of 

Tahawi; Imam Jazuli’s Dala’il al Khayrat, and finally—albeit only extrinsically— 

Jahiliyya poetry (as a background reference for the semantic connotations of 

4 Even the English word 'canon' comes from the Arabic word kanun meaning 'law' or 'principle' . 

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words in the Arabic language). We give a specific (but not exhaustive) list here 

in order to minimize the possibility of misunderstanding. 

ISLAM IN HISTORY 

It is evidently not possible to do justice to the role of Islam in world history, 

thought and civilization in a few words, but the following paragraph by Britain’s 

Prince Charles attempts it: 

‘The medieval Islamic world, from Central Asia to the shores of the Atlantic, 

was a world where scholars and men of learning flourished. But because 

we have tended to see Islam as the enemy, as an alien culture, society, and 

system of belief, we have tended to ignore or erase its great relevance to 

our own history. For example, we have underestimated the importance 

of eight hundred years of Islamic society and culture in Spain between 

the 8th and 15th centuries. The contribution of Muslim Spain to the 

preservation of classical learning during the Dark Ages, and to the first 

flowerings of the Renaissance, has long been recognized. But Islamic Spain 

was much more then a mere larder where Hellenistic knowledge was kept 

for later consumption by the emerging modern Western world. Not only 

did Muslim Spain gather and preserve the intellectual content of ancient 

Greek and Roman civilization, it also interpreted and expanded upon that 

civilization, and made a vital contribution of its own in so many fields of 

human endeavour—in science, astronomy, mathematics, algebra (it self 

an Arabic word), law, history, medicine, pharmacology, optics, agriculture, 

architecture, theology, music. Averroes [Ibn Rushd] and Avenzoor [Ibn 

Zuhr], like their counterparts Avicenna [Ibn Sina] and Rhazes [Abu Bakr 

al Razi] in the East, contributed to the study and practice of medicine in 

ways from which Europe benefited for centuries afterwards. 5 ’ 

On 4 June, 2009, US President Barack Obama said the following at Cairo 

University: 

‘As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam— 

at places like Al Azhar—that carried the light of learning through so many 

centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. 

It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of 

algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens 

and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can 

be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; 

5 HRH the Prince of Wales, 'Islam and the West', a lecture given at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford on 

October 27th, 1993, pp.17-18.


timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of 

peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated 

through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial 

equality. 

I also know that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first 

nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of 

Tripoli in 1796, our second President, John Adams, wrote, ‘The United States 

has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility 

of Muslims.’ And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched 

the United States. They have fought in our wars, they have served in our 

government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, 

they have taught at our universities, they’ve excelled in our sports arenas, 

they’ve won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic 

Torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to 

Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same 

Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers—Thomas Jefferson—kept 

in his personal library.’ 6 

6 Barack Obama's speech in Cairo, 'Remarks by the President on a New Beginning' June 4, 2009. 

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II. major doctrinal 

divisions within islam 

A. SUNNI DOCTRINE 

1) Ash‘ari and Maturidi Schools: Sunni Orthodoxy 1 

These two schools of doctrine are followed by the bulk of Sunni Muslims and 

differ only in minor details. 

Ash‘ari School: This school is named after the 9th century scholar Abu al Hasan 

al Ash‘ari (874-936 CE) and is widely accepted throughout the Sunni Muslim 

world. They believe that the characteristics of God are ultimately beyond 

human comprehension, and trust in the Revelation is essential, although the 

use of rationality is important. 

Maturidi School: This school is named after the 9th century scholar 

Muhammad Abu Mansur al Maturidi (853-944 CE) and has a wide following 

in regions where Hanafi law is practiced. They have a slightly more pronounced 

reliance on human reason. 

2) Salafi School 

This school was developed around the doctrines of 18th century scholar 

Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab (1703-1792 CE). Salafis have specific doctrinal 

beliefs, owing to their particular interpretation of Islam, that differentiate them 

from the majority of Sunnis, such as a literal anthropomorphic interpretation 

of God. Salafis place a great emphasis on literal interpretation of the Qur’an and 

Hadith, with skepticism towards the role of human reason in theology. 

3) Mu’tazili School 

This school was developed between the 8th and 10th centuries. Although it is 

traced back to Wasil ibn Ata (d. 748 CE) in Basra, theologians Abu al Hudhayl 

al ‘Allaf (d. 849 CE) and Bishr ibn al Mu’tamir (d. 825 CE) are credited with 

formalizing its theological stance. Mu’tazili thought relies heavily on logic, 

including Greek philosophy. Although it no longer has a significant following, a 

small minority of contemporary intellectuals have sought to revive it. Mutazilites 

believe that the Qur’an was created as opposed to the Orthodox Sunni view 

that it is eternal and uncreated. Moreover they advocate using rationalism to 

understand allegorical readings of the Qur’an.

major doctrinal divisions within islam 

B. SHI’I DOCTRINE 

1) The Twelver School 

Belief in the infallibility (‘Ismah) of the Twelve Imams descended from the family 

of the Prophet (Ahl al Bayt) who are believed to be the spiritual and rightful political 

authorities of the Muslim community (Umma). The twelfth Imam, the Mahdi, 

is believed to be in occultation to return in the future. 

2) Isma’ili School 

The Qur’an and Hadith are said to have truths lying with a single living Imam, 

descended directly from the Prophet. Also known as ‘seveners’ for their belief 

that Isma’il ibn Ja’far was the seventh and final leading-Imam of the Muslim 

community. 

3) Zaidi School 

The infallibility of the Twelve Imams and the notion of occultation are rejected 

in favor of accepting the leadership of a living Imam. The Imamate can be held 

by any descendant of the Prophet (Sayyid). Zaidis are also known as ‘fivers’ 

for their belief that Zayd ibn Ali was the fifth and final leading-Imam of the 

Muslim community. 

C. IBADI DOCTRINE 

Ibadis believe that God created the Qur’an at a certain point in time, and that 

God will not be seen on the Day of Judgment. They also believe in the eternal 

nature of hell for all those who enter it. 

15

THE DIVERSITY OF ISLAM 

(1.6 Billion People 2010) 

16 

Major Ideological Divisions within Islam 

Islamic Fundamentalism (3%) 

Traditional Islam (96%) 

Sunni Shi’i 

Ibadi 

(0.5% of 96%) 

Shi’i 

(9.5% of 96%) 

Sunni 

(90% of 96%) 

1. Revolutionary Shi’ism 

1. Muslim Brotherhood 

2. Wahabism/Salafism 

1. Branches 

Twelvers (8% of 96%) 

Usuli (99% of 8%) 

Akhbari (1% of 8%) 

Isma’ilis (Seveners) ( > 0.5% of 96%) 

Zaidis (Fivers) ( > 1% of 96%) 

1. Doctrine 

Ash’ari and Maturidi Schools 

Mu’tazili School (now defunct) 

Islamic Modernism (1%) 

2. Mystic Brotherhoods 

Irfan 

1. Schoold of Law 

Hanafi (45% of 96%) 

Maliki (28% of 96%) 

Shafi’i (15% of 96%) 

Hanbali (2% of 96%) 

2. Mystic Brotherhoods 

Qadiriyya 

Naqshabandiyya 

Tijaniyyah 

Shadiliyyah 

Rifa’iyyah 

Subrawardiyyah 

Kubrawiyyah 

Chistiyyah 

Ba’Alawiyyah 

Khalwatiyyah 

Badawiyyah

III. major ideological divisions 

within islam 

TRADITIONAL ISLAM 

(96% OF THE WORLD’S MUSLIMS) 

Also known as Orthodox Islam, this ideology is not politicized and is largely 

based on scholarly consensus of correct opinion—thus including the Sunni, 

Shi’a, and Ibadi branches of practice (and their subgroups) within the fold of 

Islam, and not groups such as the Druze or the Ahmadiyya, among others. 

ISLAMIC MODERNISM 


Emerging from 19th century Ottoman Turkey and Egypt, this subdivision 

contextualized Islamic ideology for the times—emphasizing the need for 

religion to evolve with Western social advances. 

ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM 


This is a highly politicized religious ideology popularized in the 20th century 

through movements within both the Shi’a and Sunni branches of Islam— 

characterized by aggressiveness and a reformist attitude toward traditional 

Islam. 

17

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ideological divisions 

IIIa. traditional islam 

SUNNI 

(90% OF THE WORLD’S TRADITIONAL MUSLIMS) 

The largest denomination of Muslims are referred to as Ahl as Sunnah wa’l Jama’h 

or ‘people of the prophetic tradition and community’—with emphasis on 

emulating the life of the last Prophet, Muhammad. 

SCHOOLS OF ISLAMIC LAW 

Hanafi (45.5%) Named after Imam Abu Hanifa (699-767 CE/ 89-157 AH) in Iraq. 

Shafi’i (28%) Named after Imam al Shafi’i (767-820 CE/ 150-204 AH) in Medina. 

Maliki (15%) Named after Imam Malik (711-795 CE/ 93-179 AH) in Medina. 

Hanbali (2%) Named after Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (780 -855 CE/ 164-241 

AH) in Iraq. 

MYSTIC BROTHERHOODS 

Ba’alawiyyah 

Founded by al Faqih Muqaddam As Sayyid Muhammad bin Ali Ba’Alawi al 

Husaini (d. 1232 CE) in the Hadramaut valley of Yemen. Influence: popular 

across the Arabian Peninsula, India, the North and West Coasts of Africa and 

the Malay Archipelago. 

Naqshbandiyyah 

Founded by Baha al Din Naqshband (d. 1389 CE) in Bukhara, modern day 

Uzbekistan. Influence: popular from China to North Africa, Europe and 

America. 

Qadiriyyah 

Founded by Persian scholar and saint 'Abd al Qadir al Jilani (1077-1166 CE) in 

Baghdad, Iraq. Influence: stretches from Morocco to Malaysia, from Central 

Asia to South Africa. 

Tijaniyyah 

Founded by the Algerian saint Ahmad al Tijani (d. 1815 CE) who settled and 

taught in Fez, Morocco. Influence: major spiritual and religious role in Senegal, 

Nigeria, Mauritania and much of Sub-Saharan Africa.


Shadiliyyah 

Founded by the Moroccan saint Abu'l-Hassan al Shadili (d. 1258 CE). Influence: 

most influential in North Africa and Egypt. 

Rifa'iyyah 

Founded by Ahmad ibn 'Ali al Rifa'i (d. 1182 CE) in southern Iraq. Influence: 

widely practiced across the Muslim world with a strong presence in Egypt. 

Suhrawardiyyah 

Founded by Persian scholar Abu Najib Suhrawardi (d. 1168 CE) in Iraq. 

Influence: a strong presence in India. 

Kubrawiyyah 

Founded by Najm al Din Kubra (d. 1221 CE) from Khawarzm, modern day 

Uzbekistan. Influence: mostly present across Central Asia. 

Mawlawiyyah 

A Turkish order founded by the Persian saint and poet Jalal al Din Rumi (d. 1273 

CE). Influence: mainly in Turkey. 

Chishtiyyah 

Founded by the Persian saint Mu'in al Din Chishti (d. 1236 CE) in Khurasan. 

Influence: highly influential in India. 

Khalwatiyyah 

A Turkish order founded by the Persian saint 'Umar al Khalwati (d. 1397 CE). 

Influence: large presence in the Balkans, Syria, Lebanon and North Africa. 

Badawiyyah 

An Egyptian order founded by the Moroccan saint Ahmad al Badawi (d. 1276 

CE), considered by many as the patron saint of Egypt. Influence: active role in 

Egypt and the Sudan. 

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SHI’A 

(9.5% OF THE WORLD’S TRADITIONAL MUSLIMS) 

SCHOOLS OF ISLAMIC LAW 

The second-largest denomination of Muslims are referred to as Shi’atu ‘Ali 

or ‘the party of ‘Ali,’ the fourth caliph of Islam and first Imam in Shi’ism. 

Twelvers (8% of Muslims) Named after Imam Ja’far al Sadiq (702-765 CE/ 83- 

148 AH) in Medina. 

Usuli (99% of Twelvers) This dominant school favors the use of ijtihad, 

independent legal reasoning, with an emphasis on four accepted collections 

of Hadith. It derives legal opinions from living ayatollahs, or mujtahids, whose 

rulings become obligatory. Taqlid, the practice of following rulings without 

questioning the religious authority, is a core tenet of this school. The name Usuli 

is derived from the Arabic term usul meaning ‘principle’. 

Akhbari: Akhbaris reject the use of ijtihad or reasoning, and do not follow marjas 

who practice ijtihad. They also prohibit exegesis of the Qur’an. They derive legal 

rulings from the Qur’an, Hadith, and consensus. The name Akhbari is derived 

from the Arabic term akhbar meaning ‘traditions’. They can trace their roots to 

Muhammad Amin Astarabadi (d. 1627 CE). Akhbaris continue to exist to this 

day, although in small, concentrated pockets, particularly around Basra, Iraq. 

Isma’ilis (Seveners) (Less than 0.5% of Muslims) Named after of Muhammad 

ibn Ismail (746-809 CE/128-193 AH) in Medina. 

Zaidis (Fivers) (Less than .8% of Muslims) Named after of Imam Zaid ibn ‘Ali 

(695-740 CE) in Medina. 

MYSTIC BROTHERHOODS 

Irfan 

Irfan, which means ‘knowing’ in Arabic and ‘most beautiful and knowledgeable 

person’ in Pashto, is Shi’a mysticism. Mulla Sadr al Din Muhammad Shirazi 

(1571-1636 CE) from Iran is considered a leading theorist of Irfan in Shi’a Islam. 

IBADI 

(0.5% OF THE WORLD’S TRADITIONAL MUSLIMS) 

The Ibadi school has origins in and is linked to the Kharijites, but the modern 

day community is distinct from the 7th century Islamic sect. It was founded 

after the death of Prophet Muhammad and is currently practiced by a majority 

of Oman’s Muslim population. It is also found across parts of Africa.


IIIb. islamic modernism 

Islamic modernism is a reform movement started by politically-minded 

urbanites with scant knowledge of traditional Islam. These people had 

witnessed and studied Western technology and socio-political ideas, and 

realized that the Islamic world was being left behind technologically by the 

West and had become too weak to stand up to it. They blamed this weakness 

on what they saw as ‘traditional Islam,’ which they thought held them back and 

was not ‘progressive’ enough. They thus called for a complete overhaul of Islam, 

including—or rather in particular—Islamic law (sharia) and doctrine (aqida). 

Islamic modernism remains popularly an object of derision and ridicule, and is 

scorned by traditional Muslims and fundamentalists alike. 

IIIc. islamic fundamentalism 

SUNNI 

Muslim Brotherhood 

The Muslim Brotherhood, or Al Ikhwan Al Muslimeen is a transnational Sunni 

movement, with no particular ideological agenda. It is the largest political 

opposition organization in many Arab states, particularly in Egypt where it was 

founded in opposition to colonial rule by Hassan al Banna in 1928. 

Al Banna originally sought to revive Muslim culture from its position of 

exploitation under colonial rule, through charitable and educational work: to 

give Islam a central role in people’s life. Sayyid Qutb (1906-1966 CE) was also a 

leading member of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950s and 1960s. 

Wahhabism/Salafism 

Wahhabism/Salafism are terms used interchangeably to refer to a particular 

brand of Islam. Salaf, meaning predecessors in Arabic, refers to the very early 

practice of Islam by Muhammad and his immediate successors. Salafism 

proposes to revive the practice of Islam as it was at the time of the Prophet and is 

critical of emphasis being placed on thinkers from after this period. Muhammad 

ibn ‘Abd al Wahhab (1703-1792 CE) was the central figure in the formulation of 

this ideology therefore Salafism is often simply known as Wahhabism. 

21

22 


SHI’A 

Revolutionary shi’ism 

Revolutionary Shi’ism is an ideology based on the teachings of the late Ayatollah 

Ruhollah Khomeini (1902-1989 CE), which shares many similarities with 

Marxist revolutionary thought. Khomeini believed that the only way to secure 

independence from colonial or imperial forces was through the creation of a 

Shi’a state, under the idea of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist). This 

means that all politics is subject to the opinion of the Supreme Leader who is 

responsible for the continued success of the revolution. Revolutionary Shi’ism 

is only practiced in Iran.

Notes 

Notes: 

1. Orthodoxy in Islam is based on verse 2:285 of the Holy Qur’an, and has been 

best defined by the historical 2005 international Islamic consensus on the ‘three points’ 

of the Amman Message 

(see: www.ammanmessage.com), these points being: 

(a) Whosoever is an adherent to one of the four Sunni schools (Madhabs) 

of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali), the two Shi’a 

schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Ja‘fari and Zaydi), the Ibadi school of Islamic 

jurisprudence and the Thahiri school of Islamic jurisprudence, is a Muslim. 

Declaring that person an apostate is impossible and impermissible. Verily his 

(or her) blood, honour, and property are inviolable. Moreover, in accordance 

with the Sheikh Al Azhar’s fatwa, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare 

whosoever subscribes to the Ash‘ari creed or whoever practices real Tasawwuf 

(Sufism) an apostate. Likewise, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare 

whosoever subscribes to true Salafi thought an apostate. 

Equally, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare as apostates any group 

of Muslims who believes in God, Glorified and Exalted be He, and His Messenger 

(may peace and blessings be upon him) and the pillars of faith, and acknowledges 

the five pillars of Islam, and does not deny any necessarily self-evident tenet of 

religion. 

(b) There exists more in common between the various schools of Islamic 

jurisprudence than there is difference between them. The adherents to the eight 

schools of Islamic jurisprudence are in agreement as regards the basic principles 

of Islam. All believe in Allah (God), Glorified and Exalted be He, the One and the 

Unique; that the Noble Qur’an is the Revealed Word of God; and that our master 

Muhammad, may blessings and peace be upon him, is a Prophet and Messenger 

unto all mankind. All are in agreement about the five pillars of Islam: the two 

testaments of faith (shahadatayn); the ritual prayer (salat); almsgiving (zakat); 

fasting the month of Ramadan (sawm), and the Hajj to the sacred house of God 

(in Mecca). All are also in agreement about the foundations of belief: belief in 

Allah (God), His angels, His scriptures, His messengers, in the Day of Judgment, 

and in Divine Providence in good and in evil. Disagreements between the ulema 

(scholars) of the eight schools of Islamic jurisprudence are only with respect to 

the ancillary branches of religion (furu’) and not as regards the principles and 

fundamentals (usul) [of the religion of Islam]. Disagreement with respect to the 

ancillary branches of religion (furu‘) is a mercy. Long ago it was said that variance 

in opinion among the ulema (scholars) ‘is a good affair’. 

(c) Acknowledgement of the schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Madhabs) 

within Islam means adhering to a fundamental methodology in the issuance of 

fatwas: no one may issue a fatwa without the requisite personal qualifications 

which each school of Islamic jurisprudence determines [for its own adherents]. 

No one may issue a fatwa without adhering to the methodology of the schools of 

Islamic jurisprudence. No one may claim to do unlimited ijtihad and create a new 

school of Islamic jurisprudence or to issue unacceptable fatwas that take Muslims 

out of the principles and certainties of the sharia and what has been established 

in respect of its schools of jurisprudence. 

23

THE TOP 50 

= 

1. His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, King of 

Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques 

2. His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of the 

Republic of Turkey 

3. His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Hajj Sayyid Ali Khamenei, 

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran 

4. His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the 

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 

5. His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of Morocco 

6. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id al Sa’id, Sultan of Oman 

7. His Eminence Professor Dr Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad al 

Tayeb, Grand Sheikh of the Al Azhar University, Grand Imam of 

the Al Azhar Mosque 

8. His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hussein Sistani, Marja 

of the Hawza, Najaf, Iraq 

9. His Excellency President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President 

of Indonesia 

10. His Eminence Sheikh Dr Ali Goma’a, Grand Mufti of The Arab 

Republic of Egypt 

11. His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Aal al Sheikh, 

Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

12. Dr Mohammed Badie, Supreme Guide of the Muslim 

Brotherhood 

13. Hodjaefendi Fethullah Gülen, Turkish Muslim Preacher 

14. Sheikh Dr Yusuf al Qaradawi, Head of the International Union 

of Muslim Scholars 

15. Amr Khaled, Preacher and Social Activist

16. Hajji Mohammed Abd al Wahhab, Amir of Tablighi Jamaat, 

Pakistan 

17. Sheikh Dr Muhammad Sa’id Ramadan al Bouti, Leading Islamic 

Scholar in Syria 

18. Seyyed Hasan Nasrallah, Secretary General of Hezbollah 

19. Dr KH Said Aqil Siradj, Chairman of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul 

Ulama 

20. His Royal Highness Shah Karim al Hussayni, The Aga Khan IV, 

49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims 

21. His Highness Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of 

Qatar 

22. His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, 

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander 

of the UAE Armed Forces 

23. His Royal Eminence Amirul Mu’minin Sheikh as Sultan 

Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto 

24. Her Eminence Sheikha Munira Qubeysi, Leader of the Qubeysi 

Movement 

25. Sheikh Salman al Ouda, Saudi Scholar and Educator 

26. Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari, Grand 

Mufti of India, Barelwi Leader and Spiritual Guide 

27. His Excellency Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Brother Leader of the 

Revolution of the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 

28. His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin 

Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam 

29. His Eminence Mohammad bin Mohammad al Mansour, Imam 

of the Zaidi Sect of Shi’a Muslims 

30. His Eminence Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah, Deputy-Head of the 

International Union of Muslim Scholars 

31. His Eminence Justice Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani, Leading 

Scholar of Islamic Jurisprudence 

32. His Excellency President Abdullah Gül, President of the Republic 

of Turkey 

33. Her Majesty Queen Rania al Abdullah, Queen of the Hashemite 

Kingdom of Jordan 

34. Sheikh Mohammad Ali al Sabouni, Scholar of Tafsir

35. Dr Aaidh Al Qarni, Saudi Scholar 

36. His Eminence Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Ali Cisse, Leader of the 

Tijaniyya Sufi Order 

37. Sheikh al Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Director of Dar Al Mustafa, 

Tarim, Yemen 

38. Khaled Mashaal, Leader of Hamas 

39. Professor Dr M Din Syamsuddin, Chairman of the 

Muhammadiyah, Indonesia 

40. Maulana Mahmood Madani, Leader and Executive Member of 

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, India 

41. Sheikh Habib ‘Ali Zain al Abideen al Jifri, Director General of 

the Tabah Foundation, UAE 

42. Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Hanson, Founder of Zaytuna Institute, 

United States of America 

43. His Eminence Sheikh Professor Dr Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti 

of Bosnia and Herzegovina 

44. His Excellency Professor Dr Ekmelledin Ihsanoglu, Secretary 

General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference 

45. Adnan Oktar, Authority on Islamic Creationism 

46. His Excellency Mir-Hossein Mousavi , Iranian Opposition 

Leader 

47. His Holiness Dr Syedna Mohammad Burhannuddin Saheb, The 

52nd Da‘i l-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras 

48. Professor Dr Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Scholar of Islamic Philosophy 

49. Sheikh Mehmet Nazim Adil al Qubrusi al Haqqani, Leader of 

Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi Order 

50. His Excellency Dr Abd al Aziz bin ‘Uthman Altwaijiri, Secretary 

General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural 

Organization

28 

1 

HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH 

BIN ABDUL AZIZ AL SAUD 

King of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques 

King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al Saud of the 

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy 

Mosques is the most influential Muslim in the world. 

Saudi Arabia is geopolitically important as the most 

powerful Arab nation in the region. King Abdullah also 

garners influence globally for Saudi Arabia’s international 

role as an exporter of crude oil and refined petroleum 

products. 

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques 

King Abdullah has significant influence in the global 

Muslim community through his custodianship of the 

two holy sites of Mecca and Medina. Mecca is the main 

pilgrimage site for 1.5 billion Muslims—of which 2.4 

million fulfill their religious obligation annually. 

Country: Saudi Arabia 

Date of Birth: 1 August 1924 

Source of Influence: Political, 

Administrative, Lineage 

Influence: King with authority 

over 29 million Saudis, aprox. 

2 million Hajj pilgrims and 

over 15 million Umrah pilgrims 

annually 

School of Thought: Moderate 

Salafi 

Rank: 2010:1 · 2009:1 

Controls World’s Largest Oil Reserves 

King Abdullah reigns over a land of massive crude oil reserves—Saudi Arabia has approximately 

25 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves—making him a key player in the global 

petroleum industry. 

Controls Largest Da’wa Network 

King Abdullah is also head of the most extensive da’wa network of missionary Muslims in the 

world, promoting the Salafi brand of Islam. Salafism is historically rooted in Saudi Arabia, 

and owes its global spread to financial backing from the Saudi Royal Family. 

Reformer 

King Abdullah has proven his domestic influence in Saudi Arabia through his ability to enact 

multiple landmark reforms to fight corruption, balance the Saudi budget, tailor the education 

system, address women’s and minority rights, engage in interreligious diplomacy as well 

as tackle problems in the justice system. He has: 

Appended the Baya Council; a 38-man family council to legitimize the process of choosing 

successors to the Saudi throne. 

Cleaned up corruption in the Saudi Royal Family. 

Increased the representation of minorities in Saudi governance, including increased 

Shi’a representation in the Shura Council. 

Given women a voice and increased their social participation. 

Taken educational administration out of the hands of religious leaders and gave authority 

instead to the educational establishment. 

Presented a $10 billion endowment for the King Abdullah University of Science and 

Technology. 

Systematically replaced hard-line Salafi judges with moderate leaders in the Saudi court 

system. Employed personal interventions within the justice system—in particular regard 

to marriages.

Cut the funding power of the morality police. 

Convened a global interfaith summit in 2008 and subsequently issued the Madrid Declaration, 

which calls for tolerance between religions and a culture of peace. 

The first Saudi monarch in 51 years to address the UN General Assembly and the first 

reigning Saudi monarch to have met with a pope, Pope Benedict XVI in November 2007. 

Donates to all poor in the world. He donated $50 million in cash and $10 million-worth 

of relief materials for the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake in China and pledged a $1 billion 

donation towards the reconstruction of the Palestinian coastal territory during the Israeli 

war on Gaza. 

29

30 

2 

HIS EXCELLENCY RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN 

Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey 

Since 2003, Erdogan has been the Prime Minister of 

one of the most populous and economically developed 

Muslim-majority countries in the world. Although 

Turkey has been run according to the ideals of secularism 

since the end of the Ottoman Empire, the populace 

is predominantly religious, and primarily Muslim. 

Erdogan is also the chairman of the ruling AK Party 

(Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, the Justice and Development 

Party) though he has announced this year the 

concession of his parliamentary seat in 2015. The AK 

Country: Turkey 

Date of Birth: 26 February 1954 

Source of Influence: Political 

Influence: Leads government 

of 77.4 million Turkish citizens 

School of Thought: Traditional 

Sunni 

Rank: 2010:2 · 2009:5 

Party’s official ideology is ‘conservative democracy’; an attempt to create a Muslim democracy 

in an aggressively secular country. 

A Popular Reformist 

The political power that Erdogan now has is in part due to the AK Party’s ability to institute 

political reforms; both to produce major economic growth and also to enfranchise religious 

Muslim voters. Erdogan has recently called for more transparency in military operations by 

abolishing The Protocol on Cooperation for Security and Public Order (EMASYA), which 

was enacted in 1997. 

Despite his party’s Islamic orientation, Erdogan has put increased emphasis on Turkey’s accession 

to the EU—both in Ankara and Brussels. In fact, the stress on EU accession is partially 

due to his party’s Islamic orientation, as accession to the EU requires further religious 

freedom reforms that are sought by Turkey’s Muslim population. Erdogan is also leading 

groundbreaking initiatives to ensure the rights of Turkey’s Kurdish population, and its religious 

minorities—most recently calling for the establishment of an independent anti-discrimination 

commission, and the launch of a state-run Kurdish language television channel. 

A Mediator 

Erdogan insists on a role for Turkey as a mediator and bridge between cultures and civilizations. 

The Alliance of Civilizations initiative of the United Nations—that Erdogan established 

with the Spanish president, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero—has become a key forum 

for international, intercultural, and interreligious dialogue and cooperation. 

Outspoken on Gaza 

Erdogan is hailed for his strong opposition toward the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. He 

is noted for his high-profile snub of Israeli President Shimon Peres at the World Economic 

Forum in Davos in 2009, and his criticism of Israel's May 31 raid on a humanitarian flotilla, 

which mark his growing influence in the Muslim world. 

Good Neighbor Policy 

Erdogan has led a new approach in Turkish foreign relations through his adoption of a ‘good 

neighbor policy’—in August 2009, Turkey and Armenia signed protocols to improve relations. 

During Erdogan’s leadership Turkey has focused on building stronger relations with 

all of its seven land-contiguous neighbors (especially Greece) and also all of those countries 

bordering the Black Sea (an important trading hub and a geopolitically significant area).

32 

3 

HIS EMINENCE GRAND 

AYATOLLAH HAJJ SAYYID ALI KHAMENEI 

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran 

Grand Ayatollah Khamenei is the Supreme Leader of 

the Islamic Republic of Iran. He was born in Mashhad 

in the far north east of Iran, and studied in the leading 

Iranian religious seminary in Qom, before becoming 

involved in the struggle with the Pahlavi Regime in the 

sixties and seventies. 

Champion of Iranian Solidarity 

Although Khamenei was initially criticized for endorsing 

the June 2009 re-election of President Mahmoud 

Ahmadinejad, he has been acclaimed for his response 

to the post-election turmoil. He ordered the closing of 

Country: Iran 

Date of Birth: 17 July 1939 


Administrative 

Influence: Supreme Leader of 

66.8 million Iranians 


Twelver Shi’a, Revolutionary 

Shi’ism 

Rank: 2010:3 · 2009:2 

the Kahrizak detention centre in response to reports of prisoner abuse and deaths. He has 

called for solidarity within Iran, in light of the 31st anniversary of the Islamic republic on 

February 11, 2010. 

Defender of the Islamic Republic 

As a response to the June sanctions on Iran passed by the U.N. Security council Khamenei 

publicly denounced the efforts of the U.S. and Western powers as weak attempts at 'bullying' 

Iran, in an effort to garner influnce as a defender of the Islamic Republic. This comes at a 

time when his support of President Ahmadinejad is seen as a blot on his influence. July protests 

against Ahmadinejad's tax increase on Iran's merchants were marked by public outcry 

against the Supreme Leader. 

Supreme Leader, Velayat-e Faqih 

Khamenei’s current influence stems from his powerful position as a religious leader, which 

gives him a unique role in political affairs. His job is to enact the Velayat-e Faqih—the guardianship 

of the jurist. In real terms this means a system where scholars of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) 

have a controlling say in the political affairs of the state. The rule of the jurist was a 

concept created by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, based on ideas that have run through Iranian 

political history since the time of Shah Ismail—who was the first to make Shi’a Islam the 

national religion of Iran. The rule of the jurist was conceived in a battle against oppression 

as a way of safeguarding the Iranian nation from tyranny, giving the final say in all matters 

to a group of religious scholars, the Council of Guardians. This Council is headed by a chief 

arbitrator—the Supreme Leader. 

Leader of Shi’a Revolution 

Khamenei gains much of his influence in Iran from his role as a leader of the Islamic Revolution 

in Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran was forged out of the 1979 Revolution. Combating 

what many saw as the tyrannical rule of the Shah, Khamenei joined the Society of Combatant 

Clergy that staged demonstrations mobilizing many of the protests leading to the Shah’s 

overthrow. After the revolution in 1979, Khamenei was one of the founding members of the 

Islamic Republic Party, and a member of the assembly of experts that was responsible for 

drafting Iran’s new constitution.

34 

4 

HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH II BIN AL HUSSEIN 

King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 

King Abdullah II of Jordan has influence in Jordan and 

around the world due to his lineage in the Hashemite 

family, his custodianship of Jerusalem and activism 

on various fronts—from freedom of the press and 

reformed domestic policy to international diplomacy. 

In his reign as King, he is noted for having developed 

Jordan’s free market economy, arts and culture scene, as 

well as addressing issues of homelessness and poverty. 

Prophetic Lineage 

King Abdullah II is a member of the Hashemite family 

and a 41st generation direct descendant of the Prophet 

Muhammad through the lineage of the Prophet’s 

Country: Jordan 

Date of Birth: 30 January 1962 


Lineage 


over approximately 6.4 million 

Jordanians and outreach to 

Traditional Islam 


Sunni 

Rank: 2010:4 · 2009:4 

grandson al Hasan. The Hashemites, or Bani Hashem, link back to the tribe of Quraish. 

Hashem was the name of the Prophet’s great-grandfather. King Abdullah II is thus a member 

of the Ahl al Bayt (the family of the Prophet Muhammad). 

Ruling Dynasty 

The Hashemite family ruled Mecca from 1201 CE to 1925 CE and other branches of the family 

ruled Mecca from 500 CE, when Qusayy, the grandfather of Hashem, became Mecca’s 

first king. The Hashemite dynasty is the oldest ruling dynasty in the Islamic world, and the 

second-oldest in the world, after that of Japan. 

Custodian of Holy Sites in Jerusalem 

As custodian of the Muslim holy sites in the city of Jerusalem, King Abdullah II maintains a 

unique prestige in the region. He has gone on record in March 2010 to condemn Israel’s inclusion 

of West Bank religious sites in its national heritage list. 

Islamic Outreach 

King Abdullah II has proven influence at the forefront of a global intra-faith movement, 

through the creation of the Amman Message; a call for greater intra-religious tolerance and 

unity in Islam that was endorsed by representatives from all major Muslim groups in 2004. 

King Abdullah II is also credited with the Royal Aal al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought’s 

most authoritative website on the Qur’an and tafsir or Qur’anic exegesis (AlTafsir.com). An 

extensive resource for Islamic scholarship, AlTafsir.com includes Arabic texts from over 90 

commentaries of the Qur’an, Hadith texts, among other tools for research in the Qur’anic 

sciences, with daily hits in the thousands. King Abdullah II is also noted for founding the new 

World Islamic Sciences and Education University in Jordan (www.wise.edu.jo). 

King Abdullah II is also lauded as an interfaith leader for the 2007 initiative, A Common 

Word—a groundbreaking initiative in Christian-Muslim engagement (www.acommonword.com). 

Peace Activist 

King Abdullah II is the leading player in the dialogue for peace between the Palestinians and 

Israelis. He has openly called for discussion in the negotiations toward a two-state solution.

36 

5 

HIS MAJESTY KING MOHAMMED VI 

King of Morocco 

Known as Amir al Mu’minin, or Commander of the 

Faithful, King Mohammad VI of Morocco is lauded for 

his domestic reform policies and pioneering efforts in 

modernizing Morocco and countering terrorism. He 

tackles issues of poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion 

at home, and has improved foreign relations. 

King Mohammad VI is an influential leader, mainly 

due to his position as the only legitimate contender for 

the Islamic Caliphate, for his control of the network of 

Muslims following the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence, 

and as a leading monarch in Africa. 

Country: Morocco 



Administrative, Development 


over 35 million Moroccans 


Sunni, Maliki 

Rank: 2010:5 · 2009:3 

Contender for the Caliphate 

As successor to a 350 year-old dynasty, King Mohammad VI’s lineage makes him the only legitimate 

contender for the Islamic Caliphate. The Alaouite Dynasty links back to the Prophet 

Muhammad. King Mohammad VI possesses the only authentic claim to an Islamic Caliphate, 

if one were to be established. Indeed, the Moroccans never recognized the Ottoman Caliphate 

on the grounds that the Ottomans were not descendents of the Prophet Muhammad. 

Control of Maliki Network 

King Mohammad VI also leads the oldest Islamic establishment of Maliki Muslims. The Maliki 

madhab is the third largest school of jurisprudence in Islam. This school bases its rulings 

on the Qur’an and Hadith but also predominantly derives its practices from the work of 

Malik ibn Anas (711-795 CE) and his texts, the Al Muwatta and Al Mudawana. Since early in 

his reign, King Mohammed VI has implemented the Mudawana family law code that gives 

rights to women in divorce and property ownership, as well as citizenship to children born 

to non-Moroccan fathers. He has also commissioned the Islamic Affairs Ministry to train 

women preachers, or Morchidat, who are now active chaplains to Moroccans across the globe. 

Huge Influence over Muslims in Africa 

King Mohammed VI leads the largest African monarchy, with a population of 35 million. 

Besides political links, Morocco maintains strong spiritual ties with Muslims all over Africa. 

Morocco is the site of the tomb of a highly revered Sufi sheikh, Mawlana Ahmed Ibn Mohammed 

Tijani al Hassani al Maghribi (1735-1815 CE), the founder of the Tijaniyya Sufi order. The 

shrine attracts millions of people from across the continent. Morocco is also recognized as a 

source for the spread of Islam through West Africa. Thus, King Mohammed VI exercises vast 

amounts of power and influence over Muslims in Morocco, throughout Africa, and the rest 

of the world. He leads one of the most stable constitutional monarchies in the region, which 

is also the center of a moderate, flourishing Muslim culture. 

Patron of the Al Qarawiyyin University 

King Mohammad VI is the patron of the oldest university in the world, the University of Al 

Qarawiyyin, in Fez, which was established in 859 CE.

38 

6 

HIS MAJESTY SULTAN QABOOS BIN SA’ID AL SA’ID 

Sultan of Oman 

Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id al Sa’id, the 14th descendant 

of the Al Bu Sa’idi dynasty, is a socially and politically 

active monarch, celebrating his 40th year as Sultan in 

2010. Sultan Qaboos has revolutionized and modernized 

Oman, transforming it from a poor, isolationist 

nation into a land closely linked with the African continent 

and devoted to economic development, regional 

stability, and religious tolerance. 

Leader of Omani Sultanate 

Sultan Qaboos al Sa’id reigns over a country strategically 

situated in the Gulf region. Oman has a stake in 

Country: Oman 

Date of Birth: 18 November 

1940 

Source of Influence: Lineage, 

Political, Development 

Influence: Leader of 3.5 million 

citizens and residents of Oman 


Ibadi 

Rank: 2010:6 · 2009:6 

the crude oil market due to the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf of Oman to the 

Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, producing over 757,000 barrels of crude oil per day in 2008, 

according to the US Energy Information Administration. 

Historically, Oman is significant as one of the only countries with a large population of Ibadi 

Muslims and as the most authoritative state in the Ibadi movement—one that is recognized 

as one of the oldest schools of Islamic thought. 

Beacon of Islam 

Sultan Qaboos has helped build or restore thousands of mosques at his personal expense, 

the grandest being the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, which can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. 

The Sultan is a discreet but strong supporter of moderate Islam and has created a 

unique Islamic culture in Oman that has carefully combined the best of traditional Islam 

with the benefits of the modern world. Sultan Qaboos has promoted culturally-specific Islamic 

dress, art, architecture and education, and is a keen advocate of environmentalism. This 

quiet, measured rise has made Oman a hidden pearl of the Islamic world. 

Personal Leadership 

The Sultan has raised the Omani standard of living by building up Oman’s school and health 

care systems, infrastructure, and economy. He cites political participation as one of his major 

long-term goals. Within the last two decades, he has introduced political reforms including 

a bicameral representative body, a basic law, universal suffrage, and a Supreme Court. Moreover, 

despite Oman’s relative lack of oil and gas compared to other Gulf States, the Sultan has 

invested his country’s wealth so wisely that all citizens are guaranteed free education up to the 

doctoral level (should they qualify); free health care; free land; soft loans for building homes; 

jobs and social security for the disabled, orphans and widows. Furthermore, unlike neighboring 

countries, Oman has resolved all its border demarcation issues with all its neighbors, has 

no foreign debt and has a sovereign wealth reserve fund of over 30 billion Riyals (about $100 

billion). Oman is thus arguably the best administrated country in the Islamic world, if not in 

the whole world. 

International Leader 

Sultan Qaboos has been recognized by organizations such as the United Nations and the 

National Council of US-Arab Relations for his leadership in the Persian Gulf region. In 2008,

he presided over the GCC Summit, where he was commended for his ongoing efforts toward 

political and economic cooperation amongst the GCC states. Sultan Qaboos has made an 

effort to strengthen ties between Oman and Iran, as well as the strategic partnership between 

Oman and India—showing the Sultan’s foresight in carving foreign policy independent of 

that of his Arab neighbors. 

39

40 

7 

HIS EMINENCE PROFESSOR DR SHEIKH AHMAD 

MUHAMMAD AL TAYEB 

Grand Sheikh of the Al Azhar University, 

Grand Imam of the Al Azhar Mosque 

Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad al Tayeb was appointed as 

Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar in March 2010, after the passing 

of his predecessor, Dr Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi. 

He was formerly the president of the Al Azhar for seven 

years and prior to that, served for two years as the second 

most powerful cleric in Egypt as its Grand Mufti. 

Al Tayeb’s scholarly influence as a leading intellectual 

of Sunni Islam spans the globe. He has served as the 

dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies in Aswan, and the 

theology faculty of the International Islamic University 

in Pakistan. He has also taught in universities in Saudi 

Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh 

al Tayeb holds a PhD in Islamic philosophy from Sorbonne 

University. 

Country: Egypt 

Date of Birth: 1946 

Source of Influence: Administrative 

Influence: Highest scholarly 

authority for a majority of 

Sunni Muslims, runs the foremost 

Sunni Islamic university 

with close to 400,000 students 


Sunni 

Rank: 2010:7 · 2009:25 

Advocate of Traditional Islam 

Al Tayeb has emphasised his mission to promote traditional Islam since becoming Grand 

Sheikh. He has since issued decisions to teach all four schools of traditional Islamic thought 

at Al Azhar University, while stressing the importance of teaching students about Islamic 

heritage—considering Al Azhar graduates as ambassadors of Islam to the world. 

Spiritual Leader of the Al Azhar University 

Sheikh al Tayeb leads the second-oldest university in the world, where teaching has continued 

without interruption since 975 CE. Al Azhar represents the center of Sunni Islamic 

jurisprudence. It is a key institution that issues authoritative religious rulings and has provided 

extensive Islamic education to Egyptian and international students since its inception 

over a millennium ago. This history makes Al Azhar a bastion of Sunni traditionalism. The 

university is considered one of the most prominent Islamic educational institutions, and the 

foremost center of Sunni Muslim scholarship in the world. 

Administers the Al Azhar Education Network 

Al Azhar is the second oldest, and currently the largest, university in the world, having risen 

from a group of three schools in the 1950s to its current state with 72 feeder schools, and close 

to 400,000 students studying there at any one time. Including schools that are part of Al 

Azhar waqf initiatives there are close to 2 million students. This immense size and grounded 

respect make the head of Al Azhar an extraordinarily powerful and academically influential 

person. In spite of his huge workload as president, and now as Grand Sheikh, al Tayeb publishes 

regularly in numerous academic journals, dealing particularly with the reception of 

Islamic culture and philosophy in the Western world. 

Al Tayeb is also a member of the Egyptian Society of Philosophy, the Supreme Court of Islamic 

Affairs and is the head of the Religious Committee at the Egyptian Radio and Television 

Union.

42 

8 

HIS EMINENCE GRAND 

AYATOLLAH SAYYID ALI HUSSEIN SISTANI 

Marja of the Hawza, Najaf, Iraq 

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Husseini Sistani is the 

prime marja, or spiritual reference for Ithna’Asharia 

(Twelver) for Shi’a Muslims. He is the leading sheikh 

of the Hawza Seminary in Najaf, Iraq and the 

preeminent Shi’a cleric globally. Sistani is one of the 

most respected of the marjaiyya—the highest position 

of authority in the Usuli school of Twelver Shi’a fiqh. 

Preeminent Shi’a Cleric and Marja Taqlid 

Sistani’s influence in the Twelver Shi’a sect stems from 

his scholarly lineage and education, which has enabled 

him to reach the status of marja taqlid—the highest 

status in the Usuli branch of Twelver Shi’a Islam. Marja 

taqlid means literally one who is worthy of being imi- 

Country: Iraq 


Source of Influence: Scholarly, 

Lineage 

Influence: Highest authority 

for 17-20 million Iraqi Shi’a, 

and also internationally as a 

moral and religious authority 

to Usuli Twelver Shi’a worldwide 


Twelver Shi’a, Usuli 

Rank: 2010:8 · 2009:7 

tated— placing Sistani in a position of great authority over Twelver Shi’a Muslims. There are 

currently only 29 marjas worldwide. Sistani is descended from a family of religious scholars, 

and was educated in the leading institutions in Iran. He later went to Najaf, Iraq to study 

under the Grand Ayatollah Abu al Qasim al Khoei. On Khoei’s death in 1992, Sistani took 

over as grand ayatollah, inheriting al Khoei’s following. He soon rose to become the leading 

cleric in Iraq. With the recent opening of Iraqi shrines to Iranian tourists Sistani is gaining a 

following outside of Iraq. 

Financial Influence 

Sistani also has very significant financial clout due to his position as marja. As a marja his followers 

give him a religious tax (khums, Arabic for one fifth). The redistribution of this tax for 

the common good is one of the key roles of a marja. Much of this remittance is redistributed 

through the Al Khoei Foundation—the largest Twelver Shi’a development organization in 

the world that maintains a network of educational and humanitarian establishments for both 

Shi’a and non-Shi’a Muslims. 

Quietist Influence 

Significantly, Sistani is against the idea of Velayat-e Faqih, suggesting Shi’a clerics should not 

get involved in politics. Paradoxically this approach has afforded him very strong influence as 

a religious leader unsullied by politics. This became clear after the Iraq invasion when Sistani 

issued a legal ruling (fatwa) calling on the clergy to guide Iraq’s populace, and later during 

the 2005 elections when he issued a ruling telling Shi’a women that they were religiously 

obliged to vote. Ali Sistani has used his position of quietist authority to wield influence also as 

a peacemaker in the turbulent post-invasion Iraq. At a time when Sistani was losing support 

to Sheikh Muqtada al Sadr, he showed his sway by arranging a lasting deal between Sadr and 

US forces at the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf in 2005—a deal that secured the Shrine and pushed 

for an American retreat. Sistani has been vocal about encouraging Iraqis to participate in the 

2010 parliamentary elections.

44 

9 

HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT 

SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO 

President of Indonesia 

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is the political 

leader of the most populous Muslim country in 

the world. Commonly referred to as SBY, he has had 

marked influence over the country as the first directly 

elected president of Indonesia and over the world as 

a champion of anti-terrorism efforts and a beacon of 

democracy in the Muslim world. 

Beacon of Democracy 

President Yudhoyono came to power after a successful 

career with the Indonesian National Army as a 

four-star general—when he was dubbed “the thinking 

general” for his efforts toward military reform. This 

reputation, and a pristine political career with the administrations of former Presidents Abdurrahman 

Wahid and Megawati Sukarnoputri are the bases upon which the Democratic 

Party was founded in 2001. 

This new political party was founded on the pancasila or five basic principles (belief in the 

Oneness of God, just and civilized humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy, and social 

justice) with the goal of launching Yudhoyono’s candidacy for the 2004 elections. Since then, 

he has become increasingly influential as a beacon of democracy for a country historically 

marred by corruption and political instability. He was re-elected for a second and final fiveyear 

term in October 2009. 

Popular Reformist 

Besides proposing military reform, President Yudhoyono has been recognized for his efforts 

to establish regional autonomy laws and resolve the separatist conflict in the Aceh and Papua 

provinces. He has also been credited for reviving the economy, and for his market-friendly 

approach to reform. He works closely with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) 

to clean up graft and corruption in Indonesia. The resulting economic and political stability 

has been attributed to his unique influence and the power of his personal leadership. 

Force for Anti-Terrorism Initiatives 

Country: Indonesia 

Date of Birth: 9 September 

1949 


Development 

Influence: Leader of 241 million 

citizens and residents of 

Indonesia 


Sunni 

Rank: 2010:9 

Yudhoyono’s increasing popularity is also due in part to the sincerity with which he actualizes 

his promises to the Indonesian people such as the promises for anti-terrorism enforcement 

made during his 2004 election campaign. Indonesia has worked closely with Australian intelligence 

and security forces to quell extremist threats. In response to the July 2009 hotel bombings 

in Jakarta, President Yudhoyono has been vigilant about openly condemning the perpetrators 

as agents of terrorism and simultaneously voices his dedication to establishing peace 

and security in Indonesia through programs that target education and poverty-alleviation in 

key areas where militants may prey on youth.

46 

10 

HIS EMINENCE SHEIKH DR ALI GOMA’A 

Grand Mufti of The Arab Republic of Egypt 

Sheikh Ali Goma’a is the Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic 

of Egypt. He is the second highest Sunni authority 

in Egypt after Sheikh Ahmad al Tayeb and one of 

the foremost Islamic scholars in the world. Goma’a is 

responsible for the Dar al Ifta al Masriyyah, a leading 

institute for Islamic legal research, and the legal arm of 

the Egyptian Ministry of Justice, which is responsible 

for passing official religious rulings. 


Date of Birth: 3 March 1953 


Political 

Influence: Legal authority for 

83.9 million Egyptians 


Sunni, Shafi’i 

Rank: 2010:10 · 2009:9 

Egypt’s Weight in Islamic Scholarship 

Goma’a’s scholarly influence is derived from his position at the center of many of the most 

significant institutions of Islamic law in the world. Before becoming Grand Mufti, Goma’a 

was a professor of jurisprudence at Al Azhar University—the second oldest university in the 

world, founded in 975 CE—Goma’a also served as a member of the Fatwa Council. He is currently 

a member of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, the highest institute of Islamic 

law in the Organization of the Islamic Conference—an inter-governmental organization for 

Muslim-majority countries. 

Personal Popularity 

Goma’a has become incredibly popular as a mufti since he began to appear on popular 

broadcast and satellite television. Part of his appeal is due to the revival of the old Islamic 

practice of informal ‘knowledge circles’ at the Al Azhar Mosque, and very well attended Q&A 

sessions after his Friday sermons at the Sultan Hasan Mosque, where Goma’a makes a point 

of taking on anyone who tries to simplify or distort Islamic teachings without knowledge of 

its traditions. This has made him extremely popular with those who are uncomfortable with 

extremism. 

Popularized and Simplified Fatwas 

Goma’a has immense legal influence through his advocacy of Islamic legal rulings (fatwas). 

Since he was appointed Grand Mufti of Egypt in 2003, Goma’a has modernized the process 

of issuing fatwas in the country. He has done this by overhauling the Dar al Ifta organization 

into a dynamic institution with worldwide reach, based on a fatwa council and a system of 

checks and balances. Goma’a has been outspoken on environmental sustainability—speaking 

in November 2009 about plans to make Medina the first “green” Islamic city. 

Technological Influence 

Goma’a has authored over 50 books, as well as hundreds of articles. He now uses the Dar al 

Ifta to disseminate his scholarly opinion. His office issues some 5,000 fatwas a week, with official 

ones on important issues written by him and the routine ones dealt with via phone and 

the Internet by a team of subordinate muftis. Goma’a believes that respect for traditionalism 

is growing in the Muslim world, partly because of the immense demand for fatwas issued by 

his office.

48 

11 

HIS EMINENCE SHEIKH 

ABDUL AZIZ IBN ABDULLAH AAL AL SHEIKH 

Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

As the Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz ibn Abdullah 

Aal al Sheikh has the highest position of religious authority 

in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is an Islamic 

scholar based in Mecca—the seat of Sunni Islam— 

and has influence as a leading cleric of the expansive 

global movement of Salafi Muslims. 

Head of Sunni Jurisprudential Committees 

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Aal al Sheikh is chairman of the 

Council of Senior Scholars, a scientific consultative 

commission composed of leading Sunni special- 





Influence: Grand Mufti to 29 

million Saudis and the global 

network of Salafi Muslims 

School of Thought: Salafi 

Rank: 2010:11 · 2009:11 

ist scholars of sharia (Islamic law). He has been behind fatwas that call for more rights for 

women and children. 

Al Sheikh is also chairman of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and fatwas (religious 

rulings), a special committee designated for the researching and issuing of religious 

rulings on jurisprudence, Hadith, and Aqida (creed) for the Sunni world. 

As head of the Presidency for Scientific Research and Religious Edicts (Dar al Ifta), al Sheikh 

is often the spokesperson for controversial rulings issued from the Kingdom. He is recognized 

for his influence in enforcing a distinct view of Islamic tradition. In 2008, he publicly 

criticized Muslim televangelists who encouraged Muslims to celebrate birthdays and 

anniversaries—stressing, instead, that only the two occasions of ‘Eid and the weekly Friday 

observations are valid occasions to celebrate. In this, and also in his condemnation of Turkish 

soap operas sweeping the Arab World, al Sheikh has stressed the importance of eliminating 

distracting practices. He is also ardently opposed to the practice of marrying off very young 

girls to older men, emphasizing its incongruence with human decency and Islamic tradition. 

Central Figure of Global Salafi Movement 

As Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, al Sheikh is the leading religious figure of 

the Saudi-based network of Salafi Muslims. He stresses the importance of adhering to a literal 

interpretation of the scripture and following Islam as it was practiced by the early generations 

of Muslims. The rulings derived by al Sheikh are based heavily on a literal reading of the 

Qur’an and emphasize the need to strip away innovative cultural practices that have become 

a part of Muslims’ lives across cultures. The movement he leads is characterized by an authoritative 

stance on Islamic religious practice. 

Eminent Scholarship 

Grand Mufti al Sheikh is recognized as a leading contemporary scholar of Islam. He has leveraged 

this influence by openly speaking out against Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda as forces 

that push a dangerous ideological terrorism. He spoke for the need for a war—to be fought by 

academics, the media, religious leaders and even parents—against deviant thought that leads 

overzealous Muslims toward extremism and violence.

50 

12 

DR MOHAMMED BADIE 

Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood 

Dr Mohammed Badie succeeded Mohammad Mahdi 

Akef—who became the first Supreme Guide of the 

Muslim Brotherhood to step down from his post—as 

the 8th Supreme Guide in January 2010. Badie is a professor 

of veterinary pathology at Beni-Suef University 

in southern Egypt, but has been elected due to his work 

with the Administrative offices, Education Association, 

and subsequently, the International Guidance Bureau 

of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is the largest Islamic 

political party in Egypt. 

Leader of an Expansive Muslim Network 

Dr Badie heads the oldest and largest Muslim social, 

religious, and political organization in existence. The 



Source of Influence: Administrative, 

Political, International 

Islamic Networks 

Influence: Leader of a transnational 

movement in Egypt and 

across the Middle East, Africa, 

the UK, and US 

School of Thought: Sunni, 

Muslim Brotherhood 

Rank: 2010:12 

Muslim Brotherhood forms the leading opposition party in many Muslim countries and has 

branches in most of the Muslim world, besides its base in Egypt. Members of the organization 

can be found in Bahrain, Syria, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria, 

Sudan, Somalia, Tunisia, and Libya, as well as the United States. In light of its expanse, 

Dr Badie is a strong advocate of internal unity within the Brotherhood as well as globally, 

between all Muslims. 

Reformist Leader 

Dr Badie represents a conservative shift in the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood. Due to 

his background in education and religious conservatism, analysts predict that he will emphasize 

the Brotherhood’s social work, moving away from an overly political and activist program. 

Though he has been imprisoned in the past on multiple occasions due to political activities, 

Dr Badie stressed in his inaugural address the need for gradual reform based on dialogue and 

non-violence. This is seen as a response to recent arrests of Muslim Brotherhood members, and 

increasing pressure from the Egyptian government. 

Head of a Leading Islamic Reform Movement 

The Brotherhood has historically advocated political activism and charity work with a distinctive 

take on Islamic law, stating that apostasy should not be punishable, rather permitted 

as a freedom to all Muslims. With a firm belief that constitutional reform is possible in Egypt, 

the Brotherhood encourages Muslims to be more proactive in staking their claims to a more 

representative and more Islamic government. The Muslim Brotherhood’s mission of political 

activism and economic development in Muslim countries is meant to be an internal process, 

without the interference of foreign entities. 

What makes the organization’s work distinct and far more influential than other Islamic 

political parties is the emphasis on making faith a guidepost in all political endeavors and, 

importantly, neither a hindrance to political progress nor a deficiency. This has been both a 

source of massive support, and also criticism—critics saw that the use of ‘Islam is the Solution’ 

as a campaign slogan took away from the Brotherhood’s legitimacy as a political organization.

52 

13 

HODJAEFENDI FETHULLAH GÜLEN 

Turkish Muslim Preacher 

Fethullah Gülen is a preacher, thinker and educator, 

who having assumed the leadership of the Nurcu religious 

movement—started by Said Nursî (1878- 

1960 CE)—has gone on to become a global phenomenon 

in his own right. His popularity and authority in 

Turkey has been the driving force of the movement that 

is widely thought to have brought about the social and, 

eventually, political changes of which politician Recep 

Tayyip Erdogan has been the ultimate heir—that is the 

enfranchisement of Muslim politics in Turkey. Despite 

his peaceful means of preaching and community organization, 

Gülen is hated by the secularist establishment 

in Turkey and has been living in the US since 1999. 


Date of Birth: 27 April 1941 

Source of Influence: Scholarly 

Influence: Figure of spiritual 

and social leadership for millions 

of Turkish Muslims and 

others around the world 


Sunni 

Rank: 2010:13 · 2009:13 

Humanitarian Reformer 

Gülen and his followers have devoted considerable energy in recent years on interreligious 

dialogue with tens of interfaith centers in Europe and the US being opened to foster better 

relations between faiths. Gülen is also the head of a series of socially oriented philanthropic 

efforts. His teaching emphasizes that there are no material shortages in the world, and that 

there is no justification for starvation. Gülen has established many charities to distribute 

wealth to the needy. 

Catalyst for Educational Change 

When Gülen began preaching in Izmir—in his youth—a network of pupils began to unite 

around his teachings—as a ‘social movement’ inspired by Gülen’s example. This movement 

has culminated in the development of around 300 schools in Turkey and hundreds more 

worldwide. Graduates from these private schools around the world are coached in ethics 

and philosophy that are inspired by Gülen’s teachings, and continue to take top honors in 

university placement tests. 

Influence in the Media 

The Gülen movement has opened hospitals and charities, a TV and radio station, as well as 

a bank—Asya Finans—that operates on Islamic principles. Gülen also has two major masscirculation 

daily Turkish newspapers that are affiliated with his movement: Zaman and the 

English-language Today’s Zaman. The Gülen network has also initiated a Journalists and 

Writers Foundation and a Teachers Foundation—providing an umbrella organization for a 

host of dialogue groups and charitable organizations. 

Intellectual 

Gülen is one of the most important thinkers and writers from Turkey, and among the most 

effective activists in twentieth-century Turkey. The Gülen movement is one of the best connected 

and therefore one of the most powerful networks competing to influence Muslims 

around the globe, making it likely to have an enduring impact on the modernization of Islam 

and its engagement with Western ideas.

54 

14 

SHEIKH DR YUSUF AL QARADAWI 

Head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars 

Yusuf al Qaradawi is an Egyptian scholar. Articulate 

and widely read, he is one of the most widely commented 

on scholars of Islam. Al Qaradawi is a founder 

of the website IslamOnline, one of the intellectual 

leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, and 

the most influential leader associated with the movement 

since Mahdi Akef stepped down from his position 

as Supreme Leader in January 2010. 

Leading Figure of the Muslim Brotherhood 

Qaradawi is incredibly influential as an intellectual 

leader of the Muslim Brotherhood—one of the most 

important modern movements in Islam. He has twice 

turned down offers to be their leader—in 1976 and 

2004—preferring to be free of institutional restrictions. 

Qaradawi grew up and matured with the Mus- 

Country: Qatar 

Date of Birth: 9 September 1926 


Influence: Leading scholar for 

global Muslim Brotherhood 

movement, host of ‘Ash-Shariah 

wal-Hayat’ on Al Jazeera, the 

Arabic-language channel with 

40 to 50 million viewers worldwide 

School of Thought: Muslim 

Brotherhood/Salafi 

Rank: 2010:14 · 2009:9 

lim Brotherhood but has distanced himself from the movement in recent years. As early as 

1997 he went out of his way to explain his independence from any organization, stating categorically 

that he was not a member of the Brotherhood. Earlier in his life Qaradawi was jailed 

three times for his relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood and subsequently stripped of 

his Egyptian citizenship in the 1970s—driving him to seek exile in Qatar. The Muslim Brotherhood 

remains the main opposition force in Egypt. Although he has no formal relationship 

with the Muslim Brotherhood, his writings make him an important intellectual figure in the 

Muslim Brotherhood movement. 

Popular Influence 

Qaradawi is incredibly influential as a vociferous voice of criticism of the West and of Israel. 

Much of Qaradawi’s influence over the past decade has been a product of his forthright views 

on combating social injustice, especially concerning Israeli-Palestinian relations. His view 

that suicide bombing is a legitimate form of self-defense has landed him in trouble, especially 

in Western Europe, but is reflective of an underlying sentiment among many in the Middle 

East that oppression deserves such a response—however Qaradawi goes against the grain of 

most leading Islamic thinkers by supporting suicide bombing as a tactic of war. 

Scholar for Modern Times 

Qaradawi’s ability to combine the traditional knowledge of Islamic law with a contemporary 

understanding of the issues that Muslims face today, has led him to become one of the best 

known and most influential contemporary Muslim clerics of our time. He uses a variety of 

means to connect with people. He is well known for his popular Al Jazeera program ‘Ash- 

Shariah wal-Hayat’ (Islamic Law and Life) that is watched by an estimated 40-50 million 

people worldwide. Despite his popularity, Qaradawi is often criticized by fellow scholars regarding 

his methodology and his occasionally unusual opinions. He does, however, continue 

to be respected as a knowledgeable scholar and has been praised for his condemnation of the 

September 11th attacks.

56 

15 

AMR KHALED 

Preacher and Social Activist 

Amr Khaled has been a televangelist to the Islamic 

world since 1998. Khaled was described as the ‘world’s 

most influential Muslim television preacher’ by The 

New York Times Magazine, and ranked as the 13th most 

influential person in the world by TIME Magazine in 

2007. He communicates through his TV shows and web 

campaigns using Islamic ethics as a way to inspire, and 

foster community development, tolerance and inter- 

cultural relations. 

Popular Media Figure 

Part of Khaled’s influence derives from the fact that he 

appeals to the common person. He holds a degree in 

accounting, and has no formal religious education; he 

wears suits and ties, not flowing robes; and has a cleanshaven 

face except for a trimmed moustache—every- 


Date of Birth: 5 September 

1967 

Source of Influence: Media, 

Youth 

Influence: Most popular 

personal website in the world 

with 20 million regular users; 

232,219 fans on 79 Facebook 

groups; Approx. 2 million hits 

on 200 YouTube videos 


Sunni in a modern style 

Rank: 2010:15 · 2009:14 

thing you do not expect from a Muslim preacher. His everyman appeal has led to immense 

popularity. Khaled’s television shows are broadcast by four Arab satellite stations but air 

primarily on Saudi-based religious channel Iqraa. Khaled’s speeches are published online, 

on bestselling cassettes and CDs. His website is translated from Arabic into nearly twenty 

languages and it rivals Oprah Winfery’s in terms of traffic. 

Voice for Youth 

Amr Khaled is a pioneering Muslim preacher and effective social activist who is revered by 

many as the leader of a revival in the Muslim world, but his influence stems largely from the 

fact that he engages young people. Youth in the Middle East and North Africa face disproportionate 

challenges, such as unemployment and social exclusion—obstacles, which make it 

difficult to compete with development in other areas of the world. Faith is important to young 

people in the Middle East, but they do not connect with the majority of preachers whose 

teachings do not speak to the problems in their lives. Khaled is credited with the launch of 

the first “Muslim reality TV show” Mujaddidun on Dubai Television, where 16 young participants 

from all over the Arab world compete over who can make the most morally-conscious 

contributions to their societies. 

Community Development 

Khaled’s goal is to encourage community development in the Muslim world by its own people 

with religious faith as the guiding inspiration—something he believes should be linked 

to interfaith dialogue, tolerance and moderation. The break up of communities is something 

Khaled sees as responsible for the malaise in the Muslim world, and something he believes 

puts the future of young people in jeopardy. One program he has launched to realize this 

objective of community development is Life Makers, which has a stated goal of producing a 

renaissance for the Arab and Muslim world.

58 

16 

HAJJI MOHAMMED ABD AL WAHHAB 

Amir of Tablighi Jamaat, Pakistan 

Leader of the Pakistan chapter of the Tablighi Jamaat— 

a transnational Islamic organization dedicated to 

spreading the message of religious conservatism and 

renewed spirituality—Hajji Abd al Wahhab is a prominent 

Pakistani scholar with a significant following in 

South Asia and the United Kingdom. Although the 

organization does not have a central authority, Abd al 

Wahhab has been increasingly influential in his leadership 

of the throngs of Muslims that follow the international 

movement in Pakistan and abroad. 

Missionary 

As Amir, or leader of Pakistan’s Tablighi Jamaat, Hajji 

Abd al Wahhab’s influence spans globally due to the 

organization’s emphasis on missionary work. Considered 

a foremost da’ee, or inviter to the faith of Islam, 

Abd al Wahhab has spoken about the need to return to 

the correct beliefs and practices of Islam in numerous 

countries and congregations. 

Country: Pakistan 


Source of Influence: International 

Islamic Networks, Scholarly, 


Influence: Leader of a Pakistan-based 

organization with 

chapters in 120 countries, an 

annual conference in Pakistan, 

the Raiwind Tablighi Ijtima, 

which drew over 1.5 million attendees 

in 2009, and the Biswa 

Ijtima conference in Bangladesh 

that attracts approximately 

three million members 

each year 


Sunni, Hanafi 

Rank: 2010:16 · 2009:15 

Champion of Conservatism 

Abd al Wahhab urges Muslims to repent for their sins and to emulate the life of the Prophet 

Muhammad by adhering to the sunna—the Prophet’s teachings and deeds. Among these is 

an exhortation to partake in the act of da’wa or spreading the message of the faith. The Tablighi 

Jamaat has gradually acquired a massive membership base owing to this core tenet. Abd 

al Wahhab’s work is derived from close ties to the founder of the Tablighi Jamaat, Maulana 

Muhammad Ilyas Kandhelvi, and stems from the prominent Islamic institution Darul Uloom 

Deoband, in India, where the latter studied before establishing a following in Pakistan. 

Mass Appeal 

Among the throngs of Pakistanis, diaspora South Asians, and others who carry the flag of the 

Tablighi Jamaat are notable Muslim leaders. In Pakistan alone, Abd al Wahhab’s influence has 

won the allegiance of prominent politicians, actors, and athletes. Despite his influence over 

key Muslim leaders from various fields of social power, Abd al Wahhab is consistent in his assertion 

that the organization is wholly apolitical—identifying the work of the Tablighi Jamaat 

as a spiritual revivalist movement. 

Advocate of Non-Violence 

In light of heightened incidences of violence by fringe Islamic militant groups, Abd al Wahhab 

has publicly stated the importance of non-violence in bringing people closer to the faith 

of Islam. This comes after the tragic Mumbai attacks which investigations found were linked 

to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba; a militant organization Abd al Wahhab has made a 

point of distancing the Tablighi Jamaat from.

Photographs of Hajji Mohammed Abd al Wahhab 

are not available due to the Tablighi Jamaat's strict 

prohibition of the use of images of people. This 

photo shows some of the millions of attendees at a 

Tablighi Ijtima. 

59

60 

17 

SHEIKH DR MUHAMMAD 

SA’ID RAMADAN AL BOUTI 

Leading Islamic Scholar in Syria 

Sheikh al Bouti is the leading Islamic scholar in Syria. 

He is the head of the Theology Department in the faculty 

of Islamic Law at Damascus University. Al Bouti 

preaches very often and is highly respected by many of 

the leading scholars in the Muslim world. In the past 

year, his influence has grown significantly in the Muslim 

world and particularly with young Muslims. 

Country: Syria 



Influence: Leading scholar for 

18.4 million Syrian Muslims 


Sunni 

Rank: 2010:17 · 2009:23 

Traditionalist Scholar 

Al Bouti is the scholar’s scholar, and the bulk of his influence 

comes from his position of respect and authority among the leading thinkers in Islam 

today. Bouti has written close to 50 books that have garnered considerable critical acclaim. 

Passionate Advocate of Madhabs 

Al Bouti is a keen supporter of madhabs (traditional Islamic schools of law), and is one of 

the leading critics of the significant movement to abandon these schools. He is particularly 

influential because this movement has led to groups in which extremist behavior is condoned 

as Islamic. Al Bouti has referred to the abandonment of madhabs as the ‘most dangerous bid’a 

[innovation] threatening the Islamic sharia.’ His view is critical because he says it gives individuals 

without knowledge the ability to decide what is and is not Islamic. 

A Critic of Salafism 

Al Bouti has considerable sway over the theological and legal merits of Salafism versus traditional 

Islam. He has held important debates with leading Salafi scholars and has performed 

well, highlighting to his audience the importance of knowledge in Islam. In one of his most 

noteworthy books on this issue—Jihad in Islam: How to Understand and Practice it—Al Bouti 

shows how a poor understanding of the term jihad has led to its abuse by both Muslims and 

non-Muslims. His view is that those who are unaware of the basis of fiqh have manipulated 

the idea of jihad for their own benefit, underlining that jihad must be conducted, according 

to the basis of Islamic fiqh. 

Prolific Writer 

Shiekh al Bouti has made an impact on the Muslim world, in particular through his scholarly 

outreach. He writes for news publications and journals. He has also developed a reputation 

for his ability to address and respond to queries regarding Islamic jurisprudence, and personal 

issues from visitors to his comprehensive website, bouti.net.

62 

18 

SEYYED HASAN NASRALLAH 

Secretary General of Hezbollah 

Seyyed Hasan Nasrallah is serving his sixth term as 

the third Secretary General of Hezbollah (the Party 

of God). Hezbollah is a Twelver Shi’a Islamic political 

party and paramilitary organization based in Lebanon. 

Hezbollah’s ideology is based on seeking social justice 

through Islamic ideals. Political and military successes 

have made Nasrallah a vastly influential figure in Lebanon, 

and in the Middle East more broadly. Nasrallah 

and Hezbollah are also controversial; the US and Canada 

list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. 

Military Power 

Nasrallah has immense importance in Lebanon as a 

figure of military power. He gained this influence by 

leading Hezbollah during the time that Israeli forces 

withdrew from southern Lebanon. The withdrawal 

resulted in huge popularity for Nasrallah, giving him 

increased recognition at home and abroad as a power- 

Country: Lebanon 



Development 

Influence: Main political 

leader of 1-2 million Lebanese 

Shi’a (45-55 percent of 

Lebanon’s population), wider 

support with the Syrian and 

Iranian Shi’a populations and 

those who support his resistance 

to Israel 


Twelver Shi’a, Revolutionary 

Shi’ism 

Rank: 2010:18 · 2009:17 

ful figure. Hezbollah remains a de facto security force in southern Lebanon, and its military 

presence is felt throughout the country, with a force of around 300,000 fighters. 

Lebanon’s leading Twelver Shi’a Figure 

Under Nasrallah, Hezbollah has gained in popularity and in political stature. As Syria and 

Israel have withdrawn from Lebanon, Hezbollah has begun to position itself as a Lebanese 

nationalist organization, with revolutionary Shi’ism as the guiding line. Nasrallah was educated 

at the Hawza Shi’a seminary in Najaf in Iraq, where he met Abbas Musawi, his predecessor 

as leader of Hezbollah. Nasrallah took over leadership in 1992 and has popularized the 

party among the Muslim population of Lebanon, and also among non-Muslims. Hezbollah 

has gained wide popular appeal by providing social services, health care and also running Al 

Manar—an influential television station. 

Social Services 

Hezbollah has also won significant grassroots support by cultivating a social welfare system 

that provides schools, clinics, and housing in the predominantly Shi’a parts of Lebanon, and 

also in others. These welfare activities are run with efficiency and rival those carried out by 

the state, giving the organization even broader appeal. 

International Symbol of Resistance Against Israel 

Nasrallah has broader influence in the Muslim world as a figure of defiance against Israel. 

Israel remains a key issue for the Muslim world and Hezbollah’s aim to achieve social justice 

in Palestine is central to its activities. The military successes Nasrallah had in the late nineties 

are seen as the main factor for Israel’s withdrawal from South Lebanon in 2000. Moreover, the 

staunch defense put up by Hezbollah forces against Israel in July 2006 earned Nasrallah many 

more supporters. In February 2010 he openly criticized Arab states’ lack of involvement in the 

opposition against Israel, while at the same time praising Syria and Iran for their support.

64 

19 

DR KH SAID AQIL SIRADJ 

Chairman of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama 

Dr KH Said Aqil Siradj is the newly-elected leader of 

Indonesia’s largest independent Muslim organization 

and one of the world’s most influential Islamic organizations, 

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), or ‘Awakening of 

Scholars’. Succeeding former chairman Dr KH Hasyim 

Muzadi, Siradj guides millions through his work with 

the NU. 

Head of Expansive Network 

The Nahdlatul Ulama boasts an expansive network 

that covers 30 regions with 339 branches, 12 special 

branches, 2,630 representative councils and 37,125 sub- 




Political, Education 

Influence: Leader of approximately 

30 million members of 

the Nahdlatul Ulama 


Sunni 

Rank: 2010:19 

branch representative councils across Indonesia. This network practices the doctrine of Ahl 

as Sunnah w’al Jama’ah, which is Arabic for ‘people of the Sunna (practices of the Prophet 

Muhammad) and the community’. They base their practices on the traditional sources of 

Islamic jurisprudence—mainly the Qur’an, Hadith, and major schools of law. 

Among its aims are the propagation of Nahdlatul Ulama’s message and also an expansion 

of its already extensive network of members in Indonesia. This is the basis of many of the 

organization’s social reform efforts. With a solid structure of central and regional boards, 

branch and special branch boards, and various advisory councils, Siradj sits at the top of this 

increasingly influential Sunni movement. 

Model of Traditionalism 

With a mainly rural membership base, the Nahdlatul Ulama distinguishes itself from other 

Islamic organizations in Indonesia by positioning itself as a premier organization of traditional 

Islam—with an emphasis on education and political engagement based on Islamic 

principles. 

Social Service 

The Nahdlatul Ulama has made substantial charitable contributions to Indonesian society 

in the fields of educational development, health care, and poverty alleviation. Siradj, like 

his predecessors, propagates the Nahdatul Ulama as an organization that is geared toward 

establishing a secular nation-state based on a body of modern and moderate Muslims—with 

agenda items such as anti-corruption laws and social reform measures that are deeply rooted 

in Islamic principles. 

Human Rights Activism 

Prior to his role as Nahdatul Ulama chairman, Siradj served on Indonesia’s National Commission 

for Human Rights. Only a few weeks into his position as chairman of the country’s 

largest Muslim political party, and after violent clashes erupted in different churches across 

the country, Siradj made strong statements condemning the discrimination against Christian 

minority groups in Indonesia. 

Educational Reform 

Siradj has an extensive academic background in the Islamic sciences, and regards education

as a tool for development. He founded the Said Aqil Centre in Egypt, a study centre that 

focuses on developing Islamic discourse, particularly in the Arab world. 

65

66 

20 

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS SHAH KARIM AL HUSSAYNI 

The Aga Khan IV, 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims 

Shah Karim al Hussayni, also known simply as the Aga 

Khan (Imamate: 1957-present), is the leader of the Shi’a 

sect of Muslims known as the Nizari Ismailis. For 5 million 

Nizari Ismaili Muslims the Aga Khan is the 49th 

hereditary Imam, with lineage descending back to Ali, 

the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. He is only the 

fourth Aga Khan, a hereditary title bestowed upon the 

Imam by the Shah of Persia in the mid-nineteenth century. 

Country: France 

Date of Birth: 13 December 

1936 



Influence: Approximately 5 

million Nizari Ismailis 

School of Thought: Modernist 

Shi’a, Ismaili, Nizari 

Rank: 2010:20 · 2009:20 

Hereditary Leader of Ismailis 

The Aga Khan derives his position of authority from 

his lineage. He has a direct line of ancestry going back to Imam Ali. For Nizari Ismaili Muslims 

this ancestry is directly attached to the idea of an Imamate starting with Imam Ali. However 

Nizari lineage differs from the larger sect of Ithna’Asharia (Twelver) Shi’a. Twelver Shi’a 

heritage derives from the younger son of the sixth Imam Jafar al Sadiq, whereas Ismaili heritage 

derives from the elder son. The Aga Khan’s influence stems from his obligation to lead 

the community and to find solutions to the ever-changing issues facing his followers. At the 

age of 21 the Aga Khan bypassed his father and uncle to become the 49th Imam, a choice that 

his grandfather made because he felt the community needed a leader ‘who has been brought 

up and developed during recent years and in the midst of the new age, and who brings a new 

outlook on life to his office.’ 

Unparalleled Philanthropist 

The Aga Khan is also an influential philanthropist on the world stage. His influence on development 

is very significant and disproportionate to the size of the Nizari Ismaili community, 

which is one of the smaller Muslim sects. To fulfill the Imam’s responsibilities in the contemporary 

world, the Aga Khan set up the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The 

AKDN is a collection of development and humanitarian agencies working in areas of poverty. 

The network is widely known for its architectural and cultural work, including projects that 

revitalize historic cities. These initiatives aim to show the greatness of Islamic civilization 

through projects such as the renovation of the Old City of Aleppo and the Al Azhar Park in 

Cairo. The Aga Khan’s foundation maintains a strong and enduring presence in developing 

countries—building health care capacity, promoting economic development in rural areas 

and helping improve educational opportunities. The AKDN is particularly influential in 

Central Asia, where it works in areas that are often neglected by other organizations.

68 

21 

HIS HIGHNESS EMIR 

SHEIKH HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL THANI 

Emir of Qatar 

Acceding to power in 1995, His Highness Emir Sheikh 

Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is the 9th emir (also amir, 

leader) of the state of Qatar. The monarchy of Qatar is 

increasingly powerful as an economic force in the midst 

of a downturn in surrounding countries, a mediator of 

peace, and a thriving emirate on the northeastern coast 

of the Arabian Peninsula. Sheikh Hamad’s leadership is 

marked by successful reform. He has made significant 

efforts to modernize the military as Commander in 

Chief of the Qatari Armed Forced. Sheikh Hamad has 

also developed strong international relations—Qatar 

hosted, and is now chair of the Arab Summit. 

Country: Qatar 



Administrative, Lineage, 

Philanthropy 

Influence: Political leader of 

over 830,000 residents of Qatar 


Salafi 

Rank: 2010:21 

Royal Lineage 

The Al Thani family has ruled Qatar since the mid 1800s. The house of Al Thani is traced back 

to the tribe of Bani Tamim dating from pre-Islamic Arabia. The mother of Prophet Muhammad 

is a descendent of this tribe. 

Economic Catalyst 

Qatar is the top exporter of liquefied natural gas, and the site of the third largest natural gas 

reserves in the world. Expansion of the country’s natural gas reserves was announced in 2010. 

During Sheikh Hamad’s rein, the country has developed one of the fastest growing economies 

in the Middle East. Sheikh Hamad has also invested billions toward infrastructure, real 

estate and educational initiatives for Qatar. 

This year, Qatar submitted a bid to host the 2022 World Cup as part of a $4bn plan to build 

and renovate twelve stadiums which includes the installation of solar-powered cooling systems. 

If granted this opportunity, Sheikh Hamad will oversee substantial infrastructural investment 

in the country. 

Humanitarian 

Sheikh Hamad has been recognized in Forbes Magazine’s list of the wealthiest royals in the 

world with a net worth of $2 billion. In February 2010 Qatar successfully sponsored a peace 

deal between the rebel Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudanese government— 

pledging $1 billion to reconstruction efforts in Darfur which involved establishing a development 

bank in Sudan. 

Patron of the Arts 

Sheikh Hamad is noted for his love of the arts. In 2008, he inaugurated the Museum of Islamic 

Art in Doha, boasting exclusive collections of Islamic artifacts from across the globe 

collected over a period of 20 years. Acclaimed architect I.M. Pei was commissioned to design 

the award-winning landmark structure on an island off Doha Bay.

70 

22 

HIS HIGHNESS GENERAL SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN 

ZAYED AL NAHYAN 

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the 

UAE Armed Forces 

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan is the Crown 

Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander 

of the UAE Armed Forces, as well as next in line to 

be President of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is 

increasingly becoming an important center for global 

weapons trading, with Abu Dhabi as host to one of the 

world’s the largest defense expos in 2009. 

Political and Military Leadership 

Sheikh Mohammed is chairman of the Abu Dhabi 

Executive Council—an executive leadership body in 

Abu Dhabi, which is constantly engaged in the assessment 

of public policy. Since becoming Crown Prince in 

2004, Sheikh Mohammed has been recognized for his 

groundbreaking initiatives as an influential leader of 

Abu Dhabi as well as Deputy Supreme Commander of 

Country: United Arab Emirates 



Development, Philanthropy 

Influence: Military and political 

leadership, with prospective 

presidency over an estimated 

4.9 million residents of the 

UAE 


Sunni 

Rank: 2010:22 · 2009:22 

the armed forces. He is a special advisor to UAE President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al 

Nahyan. 

Economic Development 

With Abu Dhabi sitting on a 10th of the world’s proven oil reserves, Sheikh Mohammed bin 

Zayed al Nahyan maintains immense political influence in the Muslim world as a leading 

member of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company—which directs development efforts for 

the UAE’s role in the oil and gas industries. In spite of the debt crisis affecting Gulf states, 

Abu Dhabi has emerged mostly unscathed. Sheikh Mohammed is chairman of the Abu Dhabi 

Council for Economic Development (ADCED), which has been developing initiatives to 

boost entrepreneurship among youth in the UAE. 

Humanitarian 

Sheikh Mohammed is noted for his philanthropic and humanitarian efforts in charitable 

giving. He has donated billions of dollars to various causes. December 2010 will mark the 

launch of a three-year project to establish a global center for health care research in Abu 

Dhabi through the World Health Care Congress (WHCC), under the patronage of Sheikh 

Mohammed. 

Sustainable Development 

Sheikh Mohammed has been a champion of sustainable development in Abu Dhabi as an 

advocate for the implementation of green technologies. He pledged $15 billion for the development 

of clean energy through solar, wind, and hydrogen power.

72 

23 

HIS ROYAL EMINENCE AMIRUL MU’MININ SHEIKH 

AS SULTAN MUHAMMADU SA’ADU ABUBAKAR III 

Sultan of Sokoto 

Amirul Mu’minin Sheikh as Sultan Muhammadu 

Sa’adu Abubakar III is the 20th Sultan of Sokoto. As 

Sultan of Sokoto, he is considered the spiritual leader of 

Nigeria’s 74.6 million Muslims, who account for roughly 

50 percent of the nation’s population. Although the 

position of Sultan of Sokoto has become largely ceremonial, 

the holder is still a central figure for Nigerian 

Muslims. 

Lineage Back to Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio 

The Sultan of Sokoto is the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s 

enormous Muslim community. He gains this position 

by lineage. Abubakar is the 20th heir to the two-century-old 

throne founded by his ancestor, Sheikh Usman 

Country: Nigeria 



Development, Administrative 

Influence: Central figure for 

approximately 75.5 million 

Nigerian Muslims 


Sunni, Maliki; linked to 

the Qadiriyyah Sufi order by 

lineage 

Rank: 2010:23 · 2009:16 

Dan Fodio. Dan Fodio (1754-1817 CE) was a scholar, leader of the Maliki school of Islam and 

the Qadiri branch of Sufism, and an Islamic reformer of the nineteenth century. Dan Fodio 

believed that Islam should have a more central role in the life of the people of West Africa 

and led an uprising to institute the changes he sought. His figure and his writings are a very 

important chapter in the history of Islam in West Africa, and Abubakar, by lineage, holds a 

key place in West African Islam, and particularly for the Fulani and Hausa people who follow 

Dan Fodio. 

An Illustrious Family 

The position currently does carry with it some weight—though largely ceremonial since British 

colonial rule diminished its political significance. Much of this clout is derived from the 

respect that was earned by Siddiq Abu Bakar Dan Usman—17th Sultan and father of Abubakar—who 

held the Sultanate for over fifty years. The rule of Abubakar’s father from 1938 to 

1988 earned the position significant social capital and popularity with ordinary Muslims. 

Administrative Power 

Abubakar holds important administrative influence in Nigerian religious life. He is the titular 

ruler of Sokoto in northern Nigeria and is also the head of the Nigerian National Supreme 

Council for Islamic Affairs. Leadership of this council means that the Sultan of Sokoto remains 

the only figure that can legitimately claim to speak on behalf of all Nigerian Muslims. 

This role has become increasingly influential over the years with a rise in inter-religious tensions 

between Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north and Christian-majority south. The late Sultan 

Siddiq Abu Bakar dan Usman was widely respected for trying to ease tensions between 

Nigeria’s Muslim and Christian communities, which tend to occasionally spill over into sectarian 

violence. Abubakar also possesses military experience in conflict areas.

74 

24 

HER EMINENCE SHEIKHA MUNIRA QUBEYSI 

Leader of the Qubeysi Movement 

Munira Qubeysi is the head of the largest women-only 

Islamic movement in the world. It offers Islamic education 

exclusively to girls and women. Qubeysi commands 

around 80 schools in Damascus alone, teaching 

more than 75 thousand students. She is one of the most 

significant Islamic scholars in the world; her movement 

focuses on learning the Qur’an and comprehensive Hadith 

collections by heart. Qubeysi is arguably the most 

influential Muslim woman in the world, albeit in great 

discretion. 




Influence: More than 75 thousand 

students in Damascus 

alone 


Sunni 

Rank: 2010:24 · 2009:31 

Female Muslim Order 

At a time when clandestine meetings of Islamic organizations are proscribed in Syria, Sheikha 

Qubeysi’s network, the Qubaisiat, has legally been permitted to host classes and meetings in 

mosques since 2006—although they had been operating as a secret society for long before 

that time. Members of the Qubaisiat identify themselves, and ranks within the group, based 

on specific colors and articles of clothing—headscarves knotted at the neck, and overcoats 

denoting membership status. Women within the network are provided a unique role within 

Arab society as scholars and teachers exclusively catering to the needs of Muslim women; they 

provide an open forum to address religious questions and discuss religious issues. 

Milestones in Islamic Education 

Qubeysi is influential as the leader of an incredibly successful educational movement. The 

religious education of women in Syria had previously been neglected so the emergence of 

a female-specific educational initiative has become very popular, making the al Qubaisiat, 

in numbers, the leading Islamic movement in Syria. Qubeysi’s students are also at the forefront 

of a significant achievement in Islamic history in regards to education—no less than 

70 Qubaisiat have memorized the ‘Nine Texts of the Sunna’ which include major canonical 

books of Hadith with extensive chains of narration in addition to the entire Qur’an. By 

training this sizeable group of female scholars, Shiekha Qubeysi has made Islamic knowledge 

widely accessible, and is credited for the resurgence of Islamic education in Syria. 

Leading an Islamic Revival in Syria 

Qubeysi’s influence in Syria is due to the fact that she has been able to develop a very large 

network of madrassas (religious schools) without attracting the criticism of the government, 

which has traditionally been dubious of large networks of Muslim organizations. The organization 

follows traditional Sunni practice, and follows the Shafi’i school of thought. Although 

member groups are found in Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon, Damascus is the center of the 

revivalist movement.

Photographs of Sheikha Munira Qubeysi are not 

available due to the traditional prohibition of 

the use of images of people and her clandestine 

leadership of the Sufi group. This photo shows 

a murid of Sheikha Qubeysi teaching Qur'an to 

young girls inside Zahra Mosque in Damascus, 

Syria. 

75

76 

25 

SHEIKH SALMAN AL OUDA 

Saudi Scholar and Educator 

A leading Saudi sheikh, Salman al Ouda is a former 

hard-line cleric turned advocate of peaceful coexistence. 

He is increasingly influential due to his innovative 

reach in the Muslim world propagated via Islam- 

Today.net and his persistent efforts ministering to 

the needs of the global Muslim community. 

Key Scholar of Salafi Network 

Sheikh Salman al Ouda is a leading scholar of the Salafi 

movement. Although he is not noted for propagating 

innovative ideas within the network, he has notable 

influence in the movement due to his use of multiple 

modes of education (internet, audiovisual media, and 

print) to educate the large body of Salafi Muslims in 

the Islamic sciences. Sheikh al Ouda’s website brings 


Date of Birth: May, 1955 


Media 

Influence: Supervises IslamToday.net 

with 2,000 daily hits, 

50 published books, numerous 

television appearances that 

reach millions of people across 

the globe 


Salafi 

Rank: 2010:25 · 2009:19 

together a diverse range of Islamic scholars and educators to provide guidance in Islamic 

thought. 

Influence Through Virtual Islamic Resources 

Sheikh al Ouda supervises all content published on IslamToday.net—a website that offers virtual 

resources for Islamic education in multiple languages. His work has far-reaching impact 

in an age when religion is spread through media and technology, with IslamToday.net at the 

forefront of this trend. 

In response to a February 2010 ruling from the Al Azhar Fatwa Committee condemning the 

use of Facebook, Sheikh al Ouda defended the social networking website, stating that he uses 

it to communicate with Muslims across the globe and to provide Islamic guidance online. 

Sheikh al Ouda has over 4,000 Facebook friends and over 11,000 fans through the site. 

Innovative Educator 

Al Ouda developed a following from weekly talks at his local mosque in Buraydah and has become 

an authority for Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide who access IslamToday.net—a 

Saudi-funded website dedicated to providing Islamic educational resources in English, Arabic, 

French and Chinese. He also addresses Islamic issues on the Saudi satellite channel MBC. 

Advocate of Non-Violence 

In an effort to distance himself from alleged connections to perpetrators of terrorism, al 

Ouda is outspoken about the importance of inculcating love and mercy as opposed to violence 

(except in valid cases of self-defense) in the daily lives of Muslims. As a prominent 

member of the International Union for Muslim Scholars, he led the delegation in talks with 

Arab heads of state regarding the need for them to unite in opposition to Israel’s siege of Gaza 

in early 2009.

78 

26 

Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza 

Khan Qaadiri Al Azhari 

Barelwi Leader and Spiritual Guide 

Country: India 

Date of Birth: 23 November 1943 


Scholarly 

Influence: Approximately 2 million 

Barkatiya Barelwis worldwide 

School of Thought: Traditional Sunni, 

Hanafi, Sufi 

Rank: 2010:26 

Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan is the 

leader of the Indian Barelwis and considered 

by his followers as the Grand Mufti of 

India. He is the great-grandson of Ahmed 

Raza Khan (d. 1921), who founded the 

Barelwi movement in South Asia. 

Scholarly Lineage 

Mufti Akhtar Raza was ordained at the age 

of 20 by his predecessor Mufti Mustafa Raza 

Khan. He was subsequently granted permission 

to lead the Qaadriya, Barakaatiyah, 

and Nooriyah Sufi orders in India. He was 

also appointed to the position of Muslim 

Chief Justice of India in 2006. 

Dynamic Mufti 

Mufti Akhtar Raza is esteemed for his extensive 

collection of English-language rulings, 

the Azharul Fatawa. He became involved in 

issuing Islamic rulings from the age of 17 

and is noted for having issued over 5,000 

rulings since attaining leadership as mufti. 

Spiritual Tradition 

The Barelwis are an apolitical Sufi community 

based in a volatile region where 

religion has been used as a platform for violence—despite 

this, it thrives as a socially 

engaged mystical movement. A missionary 

movement, the Barelwis have spread their 

message within South Asia and also among 

diaspora communities. This group is distinct 

from Deobandi Muslims—who practice 

a more conservative brand of Islam. 

27 

His Excellency 

Colonel Muammar 

Gaddafi 

Brother Leader of the 

Revolution of the Great Socialist 

People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 

Country: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 



Influence: Longest serving leader of 

6.4 million people in oil-rich country, 

founded large international da’wa council, 

Chairman of the African Union in a 

continent that is 45 percent Muslim 

School of Thought: Traditional Sunni 

Rank: 2010:27 

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is the 3rd longest 

serving of all current national leaders 

and the longest-serving leader over his 

country in its history. He has been a central 

figure in the life of Libya since he seized 

power there in a bloodless coup in 1969. 

He is noted for his stature and longevity in 

global politics, global-scale da’wa initiatives 

and advocacy of pan-Africanism. 

Missionary 

Gaddafi founded the World Islamic Call 

Society (Jamiat al Da’wa al Islamiya) with 

a significant endowment, making him 

one of the most influential people in the 

world for proselytizing for Islam. With an 

emphasis on activities outside Libya, the 

WISCS also operates a state-run university 

for moderate Muslim clerics from outside 

the Arab world. 

Political Outspokenness 

Gaddafi’s open relations with the West 

and outspoken political rhetoric make 

him a versatile world figure. While Gaddafi 

abandoned Libya’s nuclear program in 

2006 and has made vocal stances against 

terrorism, he has also made sharp statements 

about NATO, Israel and American 

foreign policy.

28 

His Majesty Sultan 

Haji Hassanal 

Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin 

Waddaulah 

Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of 

Brunei Darussalam 

Country: Brunei Darussalam 


Source of Influence: Political, Administrative 


392,000 citizens of Brunei 


Shafi’i 

Rank: 2010:28 · 2009:24 

His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah 

Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah is one of the richest 

men in the world. He is the 29th Sultan 

of one of the oldest dynasties in existence 

today. Brunei is a country with a population 

of approximately 398,000 on the north 

coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast 

Asia. 

House of Bolkiah 

His Majesty Sultan Bolkiah descends from 

the House of Bolkiah, which traces back to 

Sultan Bolkiah, the fifth Sultan of Brunei 

(who ruled from 1485-1524 CE). The House 

of Bolkiah is the longest reigning Sunni 

Muslim Royal House in Brunei. 

Administrative Influence 

Sultan Bolkiah has been lauded for attempts 

at slowly democratizing the country’s 

governance, while at the same time 

consolidating royal authority. In the early 

nineties Sultan Bolkiah began trying to 

strengthen the role of Islam through the 

notion of Melayu Islam Beraja (or Malay 

Islamic Monarchy). The Sultan is also an 

important donor to the Organization of 

the Islamic Conference. 

29 

His Eminence 

Mohammad bin 

Mohammad al 

Mansour 

Imam of the Zaidi Sect of Shi’a 

Muslims 

Country: Yemen 


Source of Influence: Lineage, Scholarly 

Influence: Imam of approximately 10 

million Zaidi Shi’a in Yemen and Saudi 

Arabia 

School of Thought: Traditional Zaidi 

(Fiver) Shi’a 

Rank: 2010:29 · 2009:26 

His Eminence Mohammad bin Mohammad 

al Mansour is the Imam of the Zaidi 

branch of the Shi’a sect of Muslims, one 

of the three main branches of Shi’a Islam. 

With approximately ten million followers, 

Zaidis constitute almost half the entire 

population of Yemen, and around 3 percent 

in Saudi Arabia. 

Lineage in the Imamate 

Zaidi Muslims are a Shi’a sect named after 

the followers of Zaid bin Ali, grandson of 

al Hussein (grandson of the Prophet Muhammad). 

The sect was formed by the followers 

of Zaid bin Ali who led an unsuccessful 

revolt against the Umayyad Caliph 

Hisham ibn Abd al Malik in 740 CE. 

Current Social Influence 

In the past decade a Zaidi movement 

known as the Shabab al Mumineen led 

by Hussein al Houthi has been gaining 

prominence in the northwest of Yemen. 

This has stoked some sectarian rivalry in 

Yemen, between the Zaidi and radical anti- 

Shi’a groups who are fearful of the resurgence 

of Zaidi rule in Yemen. Al Mansour 

has maintained his quietist approach and 

enjoys much respect in Yemeni society. Al 

Mansour was influential in stemming the 

escalation of conflict in 2005. 

79

80 

30 

His Eminence Sheikh 

Abdullah Bin Bayyah 

Deputy-Head of the 

International Union of Muslim 

Scholars 

Country: Mauritania 



Influence: Significant influence as a 

leading contemporary scholar of Islamic 

Jurisprudence 


Maliki 

Rank: 2010:30 · 2009:30 

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah’s influence is 

derived from his scholarship and preaching. 

Whilst he is not a Salafi, the Saudi 

government promulgates his fatwas as 

authoritative. He is an instructor at King 

Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah and is 

the deputy head of the Union of Muslim 

Scholars, under Yusuf al Qaradawi. 

Diplomat 

As a member of the International Islamic 

Fiqh Academy or Al Majma’ al Fiqhi of the 

Organization of the Islamic Conference, 

Sheikh Bin Bayyah is at the forefront of the 

legal arm of a dynamic organization with 

a permanent delegation to the United Nations. 

In March 2010, he led efforts to convene 

a high-profile conference of scholars in 

Turkey which issued the 'Mardin Fatwa' 

against the misuse of a 14th century fatwa 

to condone violence and terrorism. Later 

that month, he joined scholars in a call for 

peace and reconciliation in Somalia. 

Author 

Sheikh Bin Bayyah’s scholarly explorations 

have gone global through speaking 

engagements that draw crowds of tens of 

thousands. He has spoken at length about 

the endurance of the Islamic legal tradition 

and also written extensively on rulings for 

Muslims living as minorities in foreign 

lands, or fiqh al aqaliyaat. 

31 

His Eminence Justice 

Sheikh Muhammad 

Taqi Usmani 

Leading Scholar of Islamic 

Jurisprudence 

Country: Pakistan 


Source of Influence: Scholarly, Lineage 

Influence: One of the most senior 

figures in Islamic finance, and a leading 

scholar of the Deobandi movement 

School of Thought: Traditional Sunni/ 

Deobandi 

Rank: 2010:31 · 2009:27 

Justice Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani 

is a leading scholar of Islamic jurisprudence. 

He is considered the intellectual 

leader of the Deobandi movement. 

Leading Islamic Finance Scholar 

Usmani’s chief influence comes from his 

position as a global authority on the issue 

of Islamic finance. He has served on the 

boards, and as chairman, of over a dozen 

Islamic banks and financial institutions, 

and currently leads the International Shariah 

Council for the Accounting and Auditing 

Organization for Islamic Financial 

Institutions (AAOIFI) in Bahrain. He is 

also deputy chairman of the International 

Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization 

of the Islamic Conference, one of the highest 

legal bodies in the Muslim world. 

Deobandi Figurehead 

Usmani is very important as a figurehead 

in the Deobandi movement—one of the 

most successful of the Islamic revivalist 

initiatives of the past century. Usmani 

was born in Deoband, India, to Mufti Muhammad 

Shafi (the former Grand Mufti of 

Pakistan) who founded the Darul Uloom 

Karachi, a leading center of Islamic education 

in Pakistan.

32 

Her Majesty Queen 

Rania al Abdullah 

Queen of the Hashemite 

Kingdom of Jordan 

Country: Jordan 


Source of Influence: Philanthropy, 

Women’s Issues, Media, Political 

Influence: Over 1.3 million followers 

on Twitter, about 200,000 fans on 

Facebook and 27,000 subscribers on 

YouTube channel; Queen of Jordan 

School of Thought: Sunni in a Modern 

Style 

Rank: 2010:32 

Her Majesty Queen Rania al Abdullah is 

the wife by marriage of HM King Abdullah 

II, but is also in her own right an educational 

activist with global appeal. Through 

sheer hard work, she has developed the 

biggest virtual following of any Muslim in 

the world, and she defends and humanizes 

Islam and Arab causes in-and to-the West 

as effectively as any Muslim scholar in the 

world. 

Educational Ambassador 

HM Queen Rania is the initiator and key 

leader behind the launch of educational 

initiatives such as the Jordanian Madrasati, 

‘My School’, a five-year project for the development 

of Jordan’s public school system. 

She is also the co-founder and global chair 

of the ‘1 Goal: Education For All’ campaign 

which is based around the 2010 FIFA World 

Cup and calls for the complete primary 

schooling of all boys and girls in the world 

by 2015. 

Intercultural Dialogue 

Queen Rania has an amazingly popular 

YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/ 

user/QueenRania) and website (www. 

queenrania.jo). In April 2010, Queen Rania 

launched her children’s book ‘The Sandwich 

Swap’ (which made the New York Times 

best-sellers list) through the United Nations 

Bookshop in an initiative to promote crosscultural 

understanding among youth. 

33 


President Abdullah 

Gül 

President of the Republic of 

Turkey 


Date of Birth: 29 October 1950 


Influence: Leads government of 77.4 

million Turkish citizens 


Rank: 2010:33 · 2009:28 

Abdullah Gül is the 11th president of the 

Republic of Turkey and the first modern 

Turkish head-of-state from an Islamist 

background. Facing intense secularist opposition 

to his political career, Gül has 

maintained a focus on democratic reform. 

As prime minister, and subsequently as 

foreign minister, Gül pursued a pro-active 

foreign policy and largely succeeded in 

striking a balance between Turkey’s traditional 

Western-anchored foreign policy 

priorities and its new interests in the Middle 

East and the Muslim world. 

Influence through Pragmatic Leadership 

Gül’s political influence in Turkey and 

abroad derives from his ability to reconcile 

the demands of a predominantly religious 

electorate with those of the entrenched secularism 

of the Turkish Republic. Together 

with Erdogan, Gül has worked to expand 

the sphere of democratic rights in Turkey, 

which in turn have benefited the predominantly 

traditional and religious segments 

of Turkish society. Gül continues to play 

a significant role in the current efforts to 

find a lasting solution to Turkey’s Kurdish 

issue. Gül was also the first Turkish politician 

to visit Armenia. 

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34 

Sheikh Mohammad 

Ali al Sabouni 

Scholar of Tafsir 


Date of Birth: 1 January 1930 


Influence: Significant scholarly influence 

as the leading contemporary 

authority on Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir) 


Sunni, Hanafi 

Rank: 2010:34 · 2009:29 

An internationally respected Islamic scholar 

of tafsir, or Qur’anic exegesis, Sheikh 

Mohammad Ali al Sabouni is widely acclaimed 

for his short commentaries of the 

Qur’an. 

Popular Commentaries 

Al Sabouni is influential because of his 

easy-to-read, simplified commentaries of 

the Holy Qur’an. They are now thought of 

as some of the most popular short commentaries 

in history after those of Jalalayn, 

Baydawi, Ibn Kathir and Ibn Juzayy. 

One of al Sabouni’s most influential commentaries 

is the Tafsir Ayat Al Ahkam, an 

exploration of the Qur’anic verses that pertain 

to legal rulings. 

Traditional Authority 

The Institute of Scientific Research and 

Revival of Islamic Heritage at the Umm Al 

Qura University in Mecca, Saudi Arabia 

commissioned al Sabouni to investigate 

the ancient tafsir manuscript of Abu Jaafar 

al Nahas (d. 949 CE/338AH). Al Sabouni’s 

landmark achievement of verifying the 

only surviving manuscript of the text has 

come to fruition as a six volume work published 

by the university. 

35 

Dr Aaidh Al Qarni 

Saudi Scholar 



Source of Influence: Scholary 

Influence: Prolific writer of over 2 million 

copies of the popular self-help book 

Don’t Be Sad (La Tahzan) 

School of Thought: Moderate Salafi 

Rank: 2010:35 

Dr Aaidh al Qarni is a prominent Saudi 

scholar, author, and activist preacher, best 

known for his popular self-help book Don’t 

Be Sad (La Tahzan), which sold millions of 

copies around the world. Dr al Qarni has 

over 800 Islamic audio lectures and is a 

prolific writer and preacher for tolerance. 

Self-Help Icon 

Among the millions of books Dr al Qarni 

has sold, there are publications that center 

around self-help themes—a new trend in 

the world of Islamic books. The best-selling 

Don’t Be Sad has become a foundational 

text in the application of Islamic principles 

as a remedy for the obstacles of daily 

living. Other titles include, You Can be the 

Happiest Woman in the World and The Key 

to Success. 

Popular Preacher 

Formerly the imam and khateeb at Abi Bakr 

mosque in the city of Abha, Saudi Arabia, 

Dr al Qarni has garnered a substantial following 

through a preaching career which 

spans various modes of broadcast media 

from audio lectures to a comprehensive 

website, alislamnet.com. He lectures at 

mosques, colleges, and Islamic institutions 

and hosts a weekly television show, ‘Our 

History’, on Iqraa satellite channel. Dr al 

Qarni is a respected academic and Hafiz al 

Qur’an.

36 


Ahmad Tijani Ali 

Cisse 

Leader of the Tijaniyya Sufi 

Order 

Country: Senegal 



Influence: Spiritual leader of around 

100 million Tijani Muslims 


Sufi, Tijani 

Rank: 2010:36 · 2009:32 

Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Ali Cisse is the spiritual 

leader of the Tijaniyya Sufi order. The 

Tijaniyya is the largest Sufi order in Western 

Africa, and its leader commands a following 

of close to 100 million people, who 

see him as their guide to true Islam. 

Leader of Tijani Muslims 

Cisse is based in Senegal, however, Tijani 

Muslims are located throughout Western 

Africa and further afield. As an order, Tijanis 

give allegiance to their sheikh giving 

him significant influence as a leader. Cisse 

is installed as Imam of the Grand Mosque 

in Medina Baye, which is one of Western 

Africa’s key positions of Islamic leadership. 

Descendent of the Honorable Sheikh 

Ibrahim ibn Abdullah Niass, Leader of the 

Fayda Tijaniyya (Spiritual Flood) 

The Tijaniyya is a Sufi order founded by 

Ahmad al Tijani Hasani, an Algerian, in 

the late 18th century. As the spiritual leader 

of the Tijaniyya, Cisse is considered to be 

the bearer of a spiritual inspiration called 

the Fayda Tijaniyya, giving him authority 

to carry on the teachings of Ahmad al Tijani 

Hasani. Because of this position, some 

Tijani Muslims refer to Cisse as the reviver 

of the sunna. 

37 

Sheikh al Habib 

Umar bin Hafiz 

Director of Dar Al Mustafa, 

Tarim, Yemen 

Country: Yemen 

Date of Birth: Not Available 

Source of Influence: Scholarly, Lineage 

Influence: Runs one of the foremost 

centers for Islamic education in the 

world 


Shafi’i 

Rank: 2010:37 · 2009:36 

Sheikh al Habib Umar bin Hafiz is well 

known for his Prophetic lineage and status 

as one of the most influential Sufi scholars 

alive today. His influence through scholarship 

and preaching is vast in Indonesia and 

East Africa. He is also incredibly influential 

through his leadership of the Ba’Alawi 

movement. 

Cultivation of Scholarship 

Sheikh al Habib Umar founded and runs 

Dar al Mustafa, a center for traditional Islamic 

scholarship that currently hosts an 

array of international students, in Tarim, 

Yemen. He has joined the ranks of the 

world’s leading Muslim academics and 

scholars as a signatory of ‘A Common 

Word Between Us and You’, a document 

that builds bridges between Muslims and 

Christians. He has also spoken at Cambridge 

University on the need for such a 

dialogue. 

Da'wa Efforts 

Sheikh al Habib is noted for his da'wa efforts 

over the past year, with sigificant visits 

to South East Asia and Australia. 

Humanitarian 

In July 2008, Sheikh al Habib Umar partnered 

with Muslim Aid Australia as founder 

of Yemen-based NGO Al Rafah Charitable 

Society to address issues of poverty 

and hunger and lack of sufficient health 

care that affect areas of Tarim. 

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38 

Khaled Mashaal 

Leader of Hamas 

Country: Palestine 




1000 members in military wing of 

Hamas 

School of Thought: Sunni, Muslim 

Brotherhood 

Rank: 2010:38 · 2009:37 

Khaled Mashaal became the leader of 

Hamas after the assassination of Sheikh 

Ahmad Yaseen in 2004. Mashaal is the 

head of Hamas’s Syrian political bureau 

and is the international representative for 

the Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation. 

Fighter for Social Justice 

Since becoming head of Hamas, Mashaal 

has seen the organization through multiple 

attempts at a roadmap to peace and a 

major Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip. 

Pioneer 

Mashaal has been recognized for his persistence 

with Hamas’s efforts—at present 

leading in exile from Syria. His determination 

is combined with a unique effort at diplomacy. 

Mashaal has shown a willingness 

to negotiate with Israel to return to the 

1967 borders and grant Palestinians a right 

of return, while importantly implying the 

necessary existence of the State of Israel, 

despite Hamas’s historic denial of that possibility. 

Mashaal has been one of the most 

direct, and candid leaders in dialogue and 

confrontation with Israel and this has garnered 

international recognition. 

39 

Professor Dr M Din 

Syamsuddin 

Chairman of the 

Muhammadiyah, Indonesia 



Source of Influence: Scholarly, Administrative, 

Development 

Influence: Over 28 million members in 

the Muhammadiyah organization, 5,754 

affiliate schools, and 5 Islamic universities 

School of Thought: Modernist Sunni 

Rank: 2010:39 · 2009:35 

As chairman of the second largest socioreligious 

organization in Indonesia, as well 

as a leader of the Indonesian Ulema Council, 

Din Syamsuddin influences the Muslim 

world on various fronts. 

Social Welfare 

The Muhammadiyah is often described as 

a social welfare entity. Syamsuddin is involved 

with the health and social welfare 

efforts of the organization. The Muhammadiyah 

runs numerous medical clinics 

and hospitals across the Indonesia. 

Leader of a Conservative Shift 

Syamsuddin is vice general chair of the 

Indonesian Ulema Council. His opposition 

to religious pluralism has guided his 

work, taking the Muhammadiyah on a 

more conservative track, with an emphasis 

on ijtihad (individual interpretation of the 

Qur’an) and Hadith. 

Advocate of Education 

Syamsuddin has recently extended scholarships 

for students to study at the Muhammadiyah 

universities in Indonesia.

40 

Maulana Mahmood 

Madani 

Leader and Executive Member 

of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, India 



Source of Influence: Scholarly, Political, 


Influence: 10 million Muslims are 

members of Madani’s Jamiat Ulema-e- 

Hind 


Deobandi 

Rank: 2010:40 · 2009:36 

Maulana Mahmood Madani, a leading Islamic 

scholar and politician in India, has 

gained influence for his forthright condemnations 

of terrorism and unfaltering 

support of the Indian Muslim community. 

Religio-Political Heavyweight 

Madani has served as Secretary General of 

the Jamiat Ulema- e-Hind, or Organization 

of Indian Scholars—one of the most 

prominent Islamic organizations in India. 

He has been outspoken in his opposition 

to the misuse of the term jihad as a tool of 

terrorism in India. Following fatal bomb 

blasts in 2008, he and others of the Darul 

Uloom Deoband institution hosted events 

condemning terrorism as inherently un- 

Islamic. 

Defender of the Faith 

As a respected political leader and Islamic 

scholar of India, Madani represented the 

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and the esteemed 

community of scholars from Deoband 

when he addressed the Pakistani government, 

and Pakistani High Commissioner 

Shahid Malik in particular, in an open 

letter regarding the commissioner’s remarks 

in December 2008 at the UN Security 

Council about terrorism stemming 

from ‘mullas in Deoband’. Madani is also 

a strong opponent of government interference 

in the madrassa system. 

41 

Sheikh Habib ‘Ali 

Zain al Abideen al 

Jifri 

Director General of the Tabah 

Foundation, UAE 

Country: United Arab Emirates 


Source of Influence: Scholarly, Lineage, 

Philanthropy 

Influence: Globally influential through 

his teaching endeavors in Yemen and 

across the world 


Shafi’i, Ash’ari, Ba’Alawi Sufi 

Rank: 2010:41 · 2009:37 

Tracing back his lineage to the family of 

‘Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam and cousin 

of the Prophet Muhammad, Sheikh Habib 

‘Ali Zain al Abideen al Jifri is a leading Islamic 

scholar and prominent speaker in 

the Muslim world. Al Jifri is Director General 

of the Tabah Foundation in the UAE, 

member of the board of Dar al Mustafa in 

Yemen, member of the Royal Aal al Bayt 

Institute for Islamic Thought in Jordan, 

and affiliated with various other international 

Islamic organizations. 

Sufi Guide 

As a Ba’Alawi Sufi, al Jifri is part of a tradition 

that has been based in Yemen for 

approximately 800 years and traces back 

to the Prophet Muhammad. He is influential 

as a Sufi spiritual guide in the Muslim 

world; and Dar al Mustafa is an influential 

Islamic educational institution in Yemen. 

Educator 

Al Jifri founded the privately-funded philanthropic 

Tabah Foundation for Islamic 

Studies and Research in Abu Dhabi, a 

young non-profit institution that aspires 

to become a formidable source of reputable 

work in Islamic research and thought. 

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86 

42 

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf 

Hanson 

Founder of Zaytuna Institute, 

United States of America 

Country: United States of America 



Influence: Leading Islamic authority in 

a country with 4.6 million Muslims 


Maliki, Asha’ri 

Rank: 2010:42 · 2009:38 

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Hanson is the 

Western world’s most influential Islamic 

scholar. He is seen as one of the foremost 

authorities on Islam outside of the Muslim 

world, having spent a decade learning 

at some of the premier institutions in the 

Islamic world. He runs the very successful 

Zaytuna Institute in California. 

American Scholar 

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Hanson converted to 

Islam in 1977 when he was only 17 and spent 

many years studying Arabic, Islamic jurisprudence 

and philosophy with some of the 

Muslim world’s most prominent and wellrespected 

teachers. His popularity, and accordingly 

his influence, stem from the fact 

that his application of Islamic knowledge is 

rooted in the lived experience of a normal 

American. In his speeches Sheikh Hamza 

is able to relate traditional Islamic teachings 

in a way that American Muslims find 

easy to relate to. 

Educator 

Hanson is the founder of the Zaytuna Institute, 

one of the most well-respected centers 

of Islamic education in North America. It 

has been groundbreaking in combining 

cutting edge educational technologies with 

traditional Islamic education—setting the 

standard for Islamic education in the West. 

43 


Professor Dr 

Mustafa Ceric 

Grand Mufti of Bosnia and 

Herzegovina 

Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina 



Scholarly 

Influence: Grand Mufti of approximately 

2.8 million Bosnian Muslims 


Rank: 2010:43 · 2009:39 

Mustafa Ceric is a guiding light for Islam 

in Europe and the leading Islamic authority 

there; he became Grand Mufti of Bosnia 

and Herzegovina in 1993. Ceric is outspoken 

on interfaith initiatives in the Muslim 

world and is considered one of the most 

influential contemporary Muslim leaders. 

Advocate of Cross-Cultural Engagement 

In 2006, Ceric issued the ‘Declaration 

of European Muslims’ to the European 

Union stating that European Muslims are 

dedicated to the common values of law, 

tolerance, democracy and human rights, 

the value of life, faith, freedom, property, 

and dignity. In May 2009 Ceric disregarded 

warnings of possible violent protest by 

visiting Serbia and spoke at a sermon in the 

town of Tutin about the need for Bosnian 

and Serbian Muslims to unite as one entity. 

Peace Activist 

Ceric joined the International Religious 

Advisory Council of the Tony Blair Faith 

Foundation in 2008, committing himself 

to its mission of promoting respect and 

religious pluralism through discussions on 

social injustice.

44 


Professor Dr 

Ekmelledin Ihsanoglu 

Secretary General of the 

Organization of the Islamic 

Conference 




Political 

Influence: Leader of an organization 

comprised of 57 Muslim-majority states 


Rank: 2010:44 · 2009:40 

Ihsanoglu is Secretary General of the 

Organization of the Islamic Conference 

(OIC)—the largest inter-governmental 

Muslim organization in the world, and the 

second largest public organization after 

the United Nations. 

Voice for the Muslim World 

Ihsanoglu is also influential in that he leads 

the only pan-Islamic inter-governmental 

organization in the world. The OIC often 

has more influence over certain issues than 

other organizations do, and can have a key 

role to play in world events, being more inclusive 

than the Arab League and also able 

to tackle specific injustices that the United 

Nations Security Council cannot. 

Reviving the OIC 

The OIC has recently had a radical overhaul 

of its practices, and aims. Under Ihsanoglu’s 

leadership the organization’s remit has 

widened from its previously staple issues 

of Islamic solidarity towards more immediate 

humanitarian concerns of economic 

and social deprivation around the Muslim 

world, making the organization more akin 

to the United Nations in its work. In January 

2010, Ihsanoglu called for the creation 

of a Peace & Security Council as well as an 

Islamic Court of Justice to adjudicate between 

member states of the OIC. 

45 

Adnan Oktar 

Authority on Islamic 

Creationism 


Date of Birth: February 1956 

Source of Influence: Scholarly, Scientific 

Influence: The world’s foremost authority 

on Creationism and Islam, has a 

huge fan base of more than 1.6 million 

people 


Rank: 2010:45 

Writing under the pen name Harun Yahya, 

Adnan Oktar has gained international 

prominence as a spokesperson for creationism 

but also garners influence from 

his numerous and extensively distributed 

publications about Islam, and Islamic children’s 

books. He is vocal about his stance 

against concepts such as Darwinism and 

materialism and is outspoken on the necessity 

to implement these ideas in the 

West. 

Prominent Pro-Creationist 

Oktar is a pioneer spokesperson for creationism 

in Islam. His most notable publication 

is The Atlas of Creation which was 

distributed in Europe by the thousands. In 

it Oktar elucidates the Muslim view of the 

end of times and Qur’anic proofs against 

Darwinism. His extensive publications and 

views have won him 1.6 million votes on an 

online Reuters Faith World poll conducted 

by journalist Tom Heneghan in 2009 for 

‘the world’s most influential Muslim.’ 

Leader of Scientific Movement 

In 1990 Oktar founded the Scientific Research 

Foundation (Bilim Aratırma Vakf ), 

whose members are commonly identified 

as Adnan Hocacılar, or ‘Adherents of 

Adnan Oktar.’ Oktar is also known to have 

countless ghostwriters produce widely distributed 

works on Zionism, Nazism, communism 

and Buddhism in his name. 

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88 

46 

His Excellency Mir- 

Hossein Mousavi 

Iranian Opposition Leader 

Country: Iran 


Source of Influence: Political, Administrative 

Influence: Foremost opposition figure 

in Iran and leader of the Green Movement 

School of Thought: Twelver Shi’a 

Rank: 2010:46 

Mir-Hossein Moussavi is an Iranian political 

figure who held positions such as Prime 

Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in 

the 1980s before he ran as a primary opposition 

leader in the 2009 Iranian presidential 

elections. 

Political Reformist 

The heart of Moussavi’s influence in Iran 

lies in the political reform platform he advocated 

in his bid for the presidential election 

in June 2009. He gained popularity 

for promising less restrictions on the flow 

of information in Iran, as well as revising 

laws that he saw as restrictive for women. 

In his foreign policy platform, Moussavi 

advocated boosting Iranian national interests 

by reducing tension with Western 

nations. 

Leader of the Green Movement 

‘Where is my Vote?’ became the slogan 

of the Green Movement that gained momentum 

in the aftermath of Mousavvi’s 

loss in the presidential campaign. Millions 

of protesters went out to the streets 

to call for a recount and ignited a violent 

confrontation with the basij forces—under 

the Revolutionary Guard. Mousavvi has 

since headed Green Path, an NGO which 

demands the implementation of the constitution 

and political reform in Iran. 

47 

His Holiness Dr 

Syedna Mohammad 

Burhannuddin Saheb 

The 52nd Da‘i l-Mutlaq of the 

Dawoodi Bohras 



Source of Influence: Administrative 

Influence: 1 million Dawoodi Bohras in 

the world 

School of Thought: Traditional Ismaili 

Shi’a, Dawoodi Bohra 

Rank: 2010:47 · 2009:45 

Mohammad Burhanuddin Saheb is the 

leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, 

which stems from the Ismaili Shi’a sect 

of Islam. As leader of the Bohras, he has 

been influential in the fields of education 

and the development of community institutions 

in Mumbai, India and across the 

globe. 

Absolute M issionary 

Mohammad Burhanuddin Saheb was appointed 

Da’i of the Dawoodi Bohras by his 

father who was the previous Da’i l-Mutlaq, 

or absolute missionary. Burhanuddin 

Saheb succeeded his father at the age of 

53. The Dawoodis are the main branch of 

the Bohras, a Musta’li subsect of Isma’ili 

Shi’a Islam. The subsect is based in India; 

although the Dawoodi Bohra school of 

thought originates from Yemen. 

Community Development 

Mohammad Burhanuddin Saheb has been 

widely recognized by governmental and 

non-governmental organizations for promoting 

peace in the world. He is noted for 

the construction of numerous mosques, 

mausoleums, and community structures 

for the Dawoodi Bohras in various parts of 

the world and particularly in Yemen.

48 

Professor Dr Seyyed 

Hossein Nasr 

Scholar of Islamic Philosophy 

Country: United States 



Influence: Written major books and 

given countless lectures internationally 

School of Thought: Traditional Shi’a 

Rank: 2010:48 · 2009:47 

Seyyed Hossein Nasr is an Islamic Studies 

professor at George Washington University. 

He remains one of the most influential 

Muslim scholars in the world for his work 

on Islamic tradition and philosophy. 

Reviver of Tradition 

Nasr’s work has covered the most important 

areas of contemporary Muslim 

thought from classical Islamic philosophy, 

Islamic science, Sufism, and critique of 

modernity to interfaith relations, Islam– 

West relations, and the environmental crisis. 

Nasr was the first Muslim scholar ever 

to be invited to give the prestigious Gifford 

Lectures, which were later published as 

Knowledge and the Sacred. 

Islamic Environmentalism 

Nasr’s work has been ahead of its time in 

predicting the disastrous consequences of 

the environmental crisis. Books such as 

The Encounter of Man and Nature: the Spiritual 

Crisis of Modern Man (1968), and Religion 

and the Order of Nature (1996), narrate 

the rise of a secular, modern conception of 

nature as inert matter to be conquered by 

modern technology, and attempt to revive 

a sacred notion of nature. 

49 

Sheikh Mehmet 

Nazim Adil al 

Qubrusi al Haqqani 

Leader of Naqshbandi-Haqqani 

Sufi Order 

Country: Cyprus 



Influence: Leader of sizeable worldwide 

Sufi order 


Naqshbandi Sufi 

Rank: 2010:49 · 2009:49 

As Sufi master and leader of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani 

order, Sheikh Mehmet Nazim 

Adil al Qubrusi is influential as one of the 

highest-ranking Sufi spiritual guides and 

traces his lineage back to the prominent 

Sufis ‘Abd al Qadir al Jilani (1077-1166 CE) 

and Jalal al Din Rumi (d. 1273 CE). 

Stalwart Missionary 

Al Haqqani’s travels have taken him to 

meet with students and followers of the 

Naqshbandi Sufi order across the globe. 

This order, which traces its spiritual lineage 

back to Prophet Muhammad’s companion 

Abu Bakr, is one that practices 

silent remembrance of God. Al Haqqani 

has a great deal of influence with Muslims 

around the globe, having spent time with 

the Muslim communities in the former 

Yugoslavia, the United Kingdom, the United 

States, Syria, and Uzbekistan—where 

the tomb of the founder of the Naqshbandi 

Sufi order is located. 

Spiritual Guide to Royalty 

Al Haqqani has ministered to the Sultan of 

Brunei, Sir Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of 

Indonesia, and members of the Malaysian 

royal family. He is credited for the growing 

popularity of the Naqshbandi order, which 

reaches millions through his followers. 

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90 

50 


Dr Abd al Aziz bin 

‘Uthman Altwaijiri 

Secretary General of the Islamic 

Educational, Scientific and 

Cultural Organization 

Country: Morocco 


Source of Influence: Development, 


Influence: Head of largest Islamic educational 

organization 


Rank: 2010:50 · 2009:50 

His Excellency Dr Abd al Aziz bin ‘Uthman 

Altwaijiri has exercised his influence 

by promoting educational development for 

OIC member states. 

Educational Influence 

Through his leadership with ISESCO, Altwaijiri 

has engaged in work with Muslim 

institutions in Europe, Asia and Latin 

America. He has established the Supreme 

Council of Education, Science and Culture, 

an alliance dedicated to initiatives 

outside of the Islamic world. 

Voice of Diplomacy 

Altwaijiri, as a spokesman for ISESCO, has 

categorically condemned acts of terrorism 

from the bomb blasts on a mosque in South 

East Iran to suicide attacks in Pakistan’s 

North West Frontier Province in 2009. On 

US President Obama’s inaugural visit to 

the Middle East, Altwaijiri expressed his 

willingness to develop positive relations 

between the US and the Muslim world toward 

tolerance and the cause of justice.

RUNNERS-UP 

= 

The following leaders are selected as runners-up from 

the 450 list for accomplishments in their respective 

fields that place them amongst the most significant 

Muslims in the world. They command influence almost 

comparable to those in the Top 50. They deserve 

mention here.

92 

ELBARADEI, DR MOHAMED, EGYPT 

Political p. 107 

Dr ElBaradei has been recognized globally as a contributor to world peace through 

his work on non-proliferation and nuclear power regulation with the UN. In the runup 

to the 2011 Egyptian presidential election, ElBaradei leads a reform movement 

to allow independents to run in the forthcoming election. He currently leads the 

newly-formed National Association for Change, a non-party movement that calls for 

general reforms to Egypt's constitution. 

FAYADH, HIS EMINENCE GRAND AYATOLLAH MOHAMMAD ISHAQ, IRAQ 

Scholarly p. 98 

Grand Ayatollah Fayadh, originally from Afghanistan, is one of the four marjas of 

the Hawza Seminary in Najaf, Iraq—one of the two most important seats of learning 

in Twelver Shi’ism. Fayadh is known for his quietist approach to politics and is 

well-respected especially amongst the Shi’a population of South Asia. It has been 

speculated that Fayadh is the front runner to succeed Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani 

at the highest position of political and patriarchal leadership in Iraq. 

IBRAHIM, HIS EXCELLENCY DR ANWAR, MALAYSIA 


Ibrahim is a Malaysian politician of global stature. He is the former deputy prime 

minister of Malaysia, former finance minister and is currently the leader of the 

Malaysian opposition coalition. He is well-known for his liberal Islamic stance on 

politics, and is very influential as a leader and role model for young people. Ibrahim’s 

coalition now controls four of 13 state governments. If led by Anwar, it would have a 

fair chance of winning the next national election in 2013. 

KHAN, DR ABDUL QADEER PAKISTAN 

Science, Technology, Medicine, Law p. 152 

Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, deemed the father of the ‘Islamic Bomb’, is the scientist 

who brought nuclear technology and nuclear weapons technology in the 1970s to 

Pakistan which was the first—and remains the only—Muslim country to have 

nuclear weapons. This has has made him a figure of great international interest. 

He has continued to use his financial success and stature to improve the quality of 

education in Pakistan through building educational institutions for metallurgical 

engineering. Khan also may have had more far-reaching political influence through 

his alleged attempts to sell nuclear technology to Libya, Iran, and North Korea. 

AL MAKTOUM, HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID, UAE 


Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum is the Ruler of Dubai and the Prime 

Minister of the United Arab Emirates. He has launched multiple charity initiatives 

from Dubai, such as ‘Dubai Cares’ which has donated over $910 million to youth 

education initiatives in impoverished countries since its inception in 2007. 

MATTSON, INGRID DR CANADA 


Dr Ingrid Mattson is the director of the Islamic Chaplaincy Program and professor 

at the Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut. In 2001 she was elected vice 

president of ISNA and in 2006 she was elected president, becoming the first woman 

and the first convert to hold such high positions within the organization. ISNA

is the largest Muslim organization in North America, and is an umbrella 

organization for numerous local and regional Muslim societies and groups in 

the United States and Canada. 

AL QADRI, DR MUHAMMAD TAHIR, PAKISTAN 


Al Qadri is a politician, professor, and the founder of Minhaj ul Qur’an 

International Worldwide, an organization whose aim is to establish unity 

and understanding between communities. He is also the founder of the 

Minhaj Welfare Foundation that provides welfare for the needy. Al Qadri 

has authored some 450 published works and given more than 6,000 lectures 

on economics and political studies, religious and social philosophy, law and 

medical sciences. 

RAMADAN, DR TARIQ, SWITZERLAND 


Ramadan is Europe’s preeminent Muslim intellectual writing about Islam 

in public life. He is a professor of Islamic Studies at Oxford University and 

formerly a visiting professor at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. He is the 

president of the European Muslim Network think tank based in Brussels and 

is an advisor to the European Union on religion. 

SHAIKH, MOHAMMAD, PAKISTAN 

Preachers p. 128 

Founder of the International Islamic Propagation Center (IIPC), a da’wa 

organization based in Karachi, Pakistan, Mohammad Shaikh is well-known 

as an influential public speaker. He has given numerous lectures on the Qur’an 

and also founded the English-language IIPC TV channel which broadcasts to 

viewers across the globe. He was ranked 4th most influential Muslim in the 

world in a public poll by Reuters in 2009. 

AL SUDAIS, SHEIKH ABDUL RAHMAN, SAUDI ARABIA 

Qur’an Reciters p. 161 

Al Sudais has international influence through his recitation of the Qur’an, 

which he memorized at age 12. Currently an imam at the Grand Mosque 

in Mecca, he has studied sharia at Riyadh University, Imam Muhammad 

bin Saud Islamic University, and Umm al Qura University. Al Sudais is also 

popular for his sermons and stance on peaceful conflict-resolution. 

WINTER, TIMOTHY (SHEIKH ABDAL-HAKIM MURAD), UK 


Winter is Britain’s leading Muslim scholar, and also one of the most wellrespected 

Western theologians in the Muslim world. He has written on various 

topics ranging from British Muslim history, theological discourse and social 

issues. Winter teaches theology at Cambridge University and is the director of 

Studies in Theology at Wolfson College in Cambridge. His advice is frequently 

sought on the issue of Muslims in Britain. 

93

the lists 

contents 

6. Women p.124 

7. The Youth following 450 leaders are categorized by their diverse p.133 

fields of work and appear unranked. The Top 50 are only in the 

8. International Philanthropy Islamic Networks and Issues of the Day lists. p.135 

Scholarly 9. Development p.13797 

These scholars, thinkers, and educators are well-respected leaders who have made 

significant contributions to the study and cultivation of Islamic knowledge and 

Muslim culture. 

Political 107 

These leaders possess high positions of power over substantial groups of people 

and maintain authority from their elevated status, reputation, or political clout. 

Administrative 115 

These agents of change are responsible for founding and directing some of the 

most influential and innovative global institutions—most often these are based in 

the Muslim world. 

Lineage 125 

These individuals exercise influence in the Muslim world and global society by 

virtue of their lineage. They are from some of the oldest existing dynasties and 

thriving scholarly traditions that link directly to the Prophet Muhammad. 

Preachers 127 

These dynamic preachers have become increasingly influential in an age of 

technology where uplifting sermons and lessons on Islam are presented to packed 

stadium audiences and millions of televisions are tuned in to satellite networks, 

and innumerable web videos are viewed multiple times a day across the world. 

Women’s Issues 131 

These women have been trailblazers in their respective fields, often being the first 

in breaking social boundaries. 

Youth 137 

These activists have garnered influence in the fields of youth work and education, 

as young and pioneering leaders in various fields.

Philanthropy 139 

These philanthropists have used their wealth and goodwill towards affecting the 

world through charitable giving across the globe, thereby alleviating the key crises 

of the day. 

Development 141 

These organizers have dedicated their lives to civic engagement, community work, 

activism and conflict resolution to influence communities through policy change, 

governance, and advocacy for sustainable development. 

Science, Technology, Medicine, Law 151 

Scientific and technological innovation is key to the impact of these leaders who 

influence the world. The Muslim world also boasts historic and contemporary 

advancements in the field of medicine and the implementation, and often reform, 

of systems of law. These leaders are catalysts behind many of these developments. 

Arts and Culture 155 

introduction p.1 

These are artists and cultural ambassadors whose work has become part of people’s 

daily lives throughout the globe. 

the Qur’an diversity Reciters of islam p.4 161 

The recitation of Qur’an is a special art that is valued by Muslim communities 

across the world. The word Qur’an literally means ‘the recitation’ referring 

top 50 p.19 

to its origins as an oral text. These are the 10 most popular Qur’an reciters 

among different communities around the world. 

honorable mention p.85 

Media 163 

the lists p.87 

In an age of impulsive news and innovative media, these personalities have 

garnered influence from their use of media organizations or from their popularity 

as commentators on life. 

lists contents p.88 

Radicals 167 

These infamous individuals are often cited for heinous acts and controversial 

statements made from their platforms of authority. 

International 1. Scholarly Islamic Networks p.90 169 

These leading movements in the Muslim world command a huge following and the 

2. Political p.103 

individuals leading them are globally significant for their ability to affect change 

on an institutional level. 

3. Administrative p.112 

Issues of the Day 171 

Within 4. the Lineage past year the world has witnessed natural disasters, international p.123 

political developments, environmental crises, destructions and revolutions. These 

are the 5. key Preachers figures that have been exceedingly influential on these issues. 

p.124

SCHOLARLY 

Middle East and North Africa 

ALGERIA 

cherif, h.e. ambassador prof. dr mustafa 

Mustafa Cherif, a former ambassador of Algeria to Egypt, is a philosopher and researcher 

specializing in international relations and dialogue between cultures. Co-founder and co-chair of 

the Muslim Christian Friendship in France and the Mediterranean, Cherif has written numerous 

works on religion, civilization and dialogue between cultures. 

BAHRAIN 

yaquby, nizam 

Nizam Yaquby is one of the most respected scholars of Islamic finance and sits on many advisory 

boards including HSBC Amanah. A highly sought-after expert with an immense breadth of 

experience with the Muslim community, Yaquby received the Annual Islamic Finance Summit’s 

Outstanding Contribution to Islamic Finance Award. 

EGYPT 

al ‘awa, sheikh dr mohammed salim 

Mohammed Salim is the secretary general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars and 

the head of the Egyptian Association for Culture and Dialogue. He is also a founder of Egypt’s 

moderate Islamic political party Al Wasat and regularly appears on Egyptian television and on the 

Al Jazeera channel. 

IRAN 

amoli, his eminence grand ayatollah abdullah jawadi 

Grand Ayatollah Amoli is a leading theologian and interpreter of the Qur’an. He is a prolific 

scholar having published over 300 articles and books. He is most well-known for his commentary 

of the Qur’an the Tafsir al Tasnim, which has been lauded by his peers. Amoli has remained a very 

public figure throughout his career, having led a diplomatic mission to the USSR, and continues 

to speak publicly on current affairs. 

damad, his eminence ayatollah prof. dr seyyed mostafa mohaghegh 

Damad is one of the very few high-level clerics in Iran to have been educated in international law 

in the West. Damad is a forceful advocate for a more progressive interpretation of sharia. He is a 

very well-respected scholar, dean of the Department of Islamic Studies at The Academy of Sciences 

of Iran, and a professor of Law and Islamic Philosophy at Tehran University. 

shirazi, his eminence grand ayatollah nasir makarim 

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi is a leading theologian teaching at the seminary in Qom, one of the 

two most important centers of learning for Twelver Shi’a. He is most influential for his Tafsir al 

Amthal, which is a very popular simplified commentary of the Qur’an. He has also spearheaded 

the creation of schools and magazines devoted to young people. 

soroush, abdolkarim 

Soroush is a well-known figure in the religious intellectual movement in Iran. His writings were 

essential reading during the time of the Iranian Revolution in 1979, though they have since become 

more important outside Iran than inside it. Soroush remains a public intellectual who criticizes 

the Iranian government from a modernist religious perspective. 

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Scholarly 

IRAQ 

fayadh, his eminence grand ayatollah mohammad ishaq 

Grand Ayatollah Fayadh, originally from Afghanistan, is one of the four marjas of the Hawza 

Seminary in Najaf, Iraq—one of the two most important seats of learning in Twelver Shi’ism. 

Fayadh is known for his quietist approach to politics and is well-respected especially amongst the 

Shi’a population of South Asia. It has been speculated that Fayadh is the frontrunner to succeed 

Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani at the highest position of political and patriarchal leadership in Iraq. 

hakim, his eminence grand ayatollah mohammed said 

Grand Ayatollah Hakim is one of the four marjas of the Hawza Seminary in Najaf, Iraq, and 

accordingly is one of Iraq’s most important Shi’a clerics. His family is very prominent in Iraq, 

holding key positions in Shi’a social and religious organizations and also in government. Hakim 

leads around 5 percent of the Iraqi Shi’a population. His influence stems partly from his relationship 

to Grand Ayatollah Mohsen al Hakim, a former religious leader of the Twelver Shi’a in Iraq. 

al najafi, dr al sheikh ali bashir [new] 

Sheikh al Najafi is the son of Grand Ayatollah Bashir al Najafi and a leading Shi’a scholar in Iraq. 

He often represents the Hawza Seminary at international conferences and serves as the spokesman 

of the Grand Ayatollahs, who traditionally refrain from addressing the media individually. 

al najafi, his eminence grand ayatollah bashir 

Grand Ayatollah Bashir al Najafi is one of the four marjas of the Hawza Seminary in Najaf, Iraq, 

and one of Iraq’s most powerful Shi’a clerics. As a marja of the Hawza in Najaf, Iraq’s premier Shi’a 

institution, Najafi holds a position of immense authority. Najafi, originally from Pakistan, holds 

less sway amongst Iraq’s population than the other marjas but has significant clout in South Asia. 

al sadr, his eminence ayatollah al faqih seyyed hussein ismail 

Ayatollah al Faqih Seyyed Hussein Ismail al Sadr is the most senior Shi’a cleric in Baghdad, Iraq. 

He heads the Ayatollah Seyyed Hussain Ismail al Sadr Foundation Trust, which runs humanitarian, 

development, and peace and reconciliation projects in Iraq. His role as a social leader and 

humanitarian has increased significantly during the recent hostilities in Iraq. 

JORDAN 

khasawneh, his eminence sheikh abdul karim [new] 

Sheikh Khasawneh was appointed by royal decree to the post of grand mufti of the Hashemite 

Kingdom of Jordan in February 2010, upon the resignation of the former grand mufti, Sheikh Dr 

Nuh Ali Salman al Qudah. Sheikh Khasawneh is the former mufti of the Jordanian Armed Forces. 

al qudah, his eminence sheikh dr nuh ali salman 

Sheikh al Qudah is the former grand mufti of Jordan and maintains influence in legal and religious 

circles. He has held other notable positions in the past including Chief Islamic Justice of Jordan. He 

is also formerly a religious leader in the Jordanian army with the rank of Major General in 1992. 

LEBANON 

Qabbani, His Eminence Dr Mohammad Rashid 

Mohammad Rashid Qabbani is the grand mufti of Lebanon and hence the country’s leading Sunni 

scholar. Qabbani speaks out regularly against sectarianism and violence. 

MOROCCO 

abdul-rahman, prof. dr taha 

Abdul-Rahman is a Moroccan philosopher famous for his work in trying to create an ethical 

humanistic modernism on the basis of the ethics and values of Islam. He has taught logic in 

Muhammad V University for over 30 years. Abdul-Rahman has won the Moroccan Book Prize 

twice, and was awarded the ISESCO Prize for Islamic Philosophy in 2006. He is the president of 

the Wisdom Circle of Thinkers, Morocco, and a member of the International Union of Muslim 

Scholars.

Scholarly 

PALESTINE 

al tamimi, his eminence justice sheikh dr tayseer rajab 

Al Tamimi is a leading scholar and chief Islamic justice of Palestine. Popular as an outspoken 

thinker and leader on Palestinian-Israeli relations, al Tamimi is the head of the Palestinian Center 

for Religion and Civilization Dialogue. 

SAUDI ARABIA 

al saffar, hasan musa 

Hasan Musa al Saffar is a Saudi Shi’a reformist leader who has made significant progress in 

communicating with Salafi leaders and other senior officials in Saudi Arabia. This is important 

as sectarian tensions throughout the Muslim world have risen with the increased Sunni-Shi’a 

hostilities in Iraq. 

SYRIA 

hassoun, his eminence sheikh dr ahmad badr al din 

Hassoun has been the grand mufti of the Republic of Syria since 2004 when he succeeded the late 

Sheikh Ahmed Kuftaro. He is an advocate of interfaith dialogue, and is very vocal in his opinion 

that states should be ruled on a civil rather than religious basis, believing that secularism is not 

synonymous with atheism, a sentiment that holds great sway in Syria’s religiously diverse society. 

itr, sheikh dr nur al din [new] 

Sheikh Dr Nur al Din Itr is an Al Azhar-trained sheikh based in Syria. A leading scholar of the 

Qur’anic sciences and Hadith, he maintains a key position in the world of Muslim scholarship. He 

is credited for participating in an incredibly successful educational movement out of Damascus: 

The Qubaisiat, a female-only Sufi network which is the leading Islamic movement in Syria—with 

Sheikh Itr as the principal instructor. He is credited for driving a significant achievement in Islamic 

history in regards to education—no less than 70 Qubaisiat have memorized the ‘Nine Texts of 

the Sunna’ which include major canonical books of Hadith with extensive chains of narration in 

addition to the entire Qur’an. 

al-zuhayli, dr prof. sheikh wahba mustafa [new] 

Dr al-Zuhayli is a leading scholar of Islamic law and legal theory and is noted for his extensive 

scholarship. He is also considered an expert on Islamic international law and is chairman of 

Islamic jurisprudence at the College of Sharia at Damascus University. Al-Zuhayli is a popular 

preacher and a proponent of traditional orthodox Sunni Islam. 

TUNISIA 

ennaifer, h’mida 

Ennaifer is a key player in worldwide efforts towards better Muslim-Christian relations. He is 

a lecturer in Muslim theology at the Higher Institute of Theology at the Zeituna University in 

Tunisia. He is also the president of the Islamic-Christian Research Group. Ennaifer’s interfaith 

work centers on theological similarities between Islam and Christianity. 

Southern Africa 

SOUTH AFRICA 

desai, mufti ebrahim [new] 

A prominent Deobandi sheikh, Mufti Desai runs askimam.org, issuing numerous fatwas online 

through the Camperdown-based Islamic institution Darul Iftaa, Madrassah Inaamiyyah where he 

is the principle mufti and a senior lecturer. 

hendricks, sheikh seraj 

Hendricks is the mufti of Cape Town and imam and teacher at the Zawiya Mosque. He is a leading 

scholar on Sufism in South Africa, and a patron of Dome Publications. Hendricks is seen as one 

99

100 

Scholarly 

of the highest authorities on Islamic scholarship for South Africa’s large and affluent Muslim 

population. 

East Africa 

ETHIOPIA 

idris, his eminence hajji omar 

Omar Idris is a mufti and leader in Ethiopian Muslim politics. A proponent of Muslim unity, he 

is the current chair of the Addis Ababa Majlis and also the chair of the Addis Ababa Ulema Unity 

Forum. 

KENYA 

mazrui, dr ali al’amin [new] 

Dr Mazrui is a prominent scholar of African and Islamic studies and an outspoken commentator 

on Islam. Noted for his stance on the applicability of sharia law within a democratic system and 

his denunciations of violence in the name of religion, he is a widely-respected academic. A prolific 

writer, Dr Mazrui is an Albert Schweitzer Professor in the Humanities and the Director of the 

Institute of Global Cultural Studies at the State University of New York at Binghamton. 

UGANDA 

mamdani, mahmood 

Mamdani is the Herbert Lehman Professor of Government in the Departments of Anthropology 

and Political Science at Columbia University in the United States. Mamdani is also the director of 

Columbia’s Institute of African Studies. He is a former president of the Council for Development 

of Social Research in Africa in Dakar, Senegal. Mamdani is well-known for his book Good Muslim, 

Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror, which became significant in liberal 

policy circles in the US. 

West Africa 

BURKINA FASO 

dokori, dr abu bakr 

Abu Bakr Dokori is the president of the Islamic University of Ouagadougu. He is a major scholar 

and advisor to the president. Dokori is also Burkina Faso’s representative to ISESCO. He is one of 

the leading Muslim scholars in a country with around 8 million Muslims. 

GAMBIA 

jah, his excellency ambassador prof. dr omar 

Jah is an important figure in the Muslim community of Gambia and in Gambian scholarship on 

Islam. Jah was the former Gambian ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He is now the secretary of the 

Muslim Scholars Council, Gambia, and a professor of Islamic Civilization and Thought at the 

University of Gambia where he is the dean of the humanities faculty. 

NIGERIA 

ahmed, dr ibrahim datti [new] 

Dr Ibrahim Datti Ahmed is the president-general of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria 

(SCSN). The SCSN is the focal Islamic religious institution that deals with sharia in Nigeria, and is 

also a representative body of Nigeria’s Muslim scholars. Recently, the SCSN has petitioned for fair 

treatment of Muslim military officers and has spoken out against prejudice and violence against 

Muslims, especially in light of the violent clashes between Christians and Muslims near the city of 

Jos in January 2010.

Scholarly 

Asia 

AZERBAIJAN 

ibrahimoglu, ilgar 

Ibrahimoglu is a charismatic young Islamic scholar and human rights activist who is the head 

of a pro-Iranian Shi’a congregation in Baku and Azerbaijan’s Center for Freedom of Conscience 

and Worship. Ibrahimoglu received his religious education in Qom, Iran, but also studied human 

rights in Poland. This combination of Islamic and secular education is attractive for a population 

that was only recently part of the Soviet Union. 

pashazade, sheikh ul islam haji allahshukur hummat 

Pashazade is not only the grand mufti of Azerbaijan, but also the mufti by election of the whole 

Caucasus region. Pashazade is also the world’s only Sunni-Shi’a grand mufti, giving each group 

fatwas according to their relevant madhab, reflecting Azerbaijan’s Sunni-Shi’a mix. 

BRUNEI 

bin juned, his eminence dr ustaz haji awang abd aziz 

Bin Juned is the state mufti of Brunei and a well-respected scholar that advises the government and 

the royal family on matters of faith. 

INDIA 

engineer, asghar ali 

Engineer is a Dawoodi Bohra Ismaili. He is the leader of the progressive Dawoodi Bohra movement 

and a prominent Islamic scholar who is famous for his take on Islam and contemporary issues. 

Engineer has written many books and published articles in many international journals. He is the 

founding chairman of the Asian Muslim Action Network, and of the Institute of Islamic Studies, 

and the Center for the Study of Society and Secularism. 

qaudri, professor sayid ameen mian [2009:44] 

Professor Sayid Ameen Mian Qaudri is leader of the Indian Barelwis and a sajjada nashin, or Sufi 

disciple of the Barkatiya Sufi tradition which stems from the Qadiriyyah tradition of eminent Sufi 

master, ‘Abd al Qadir al Jilani (1077-1166 CE). Qaudri is also a professor of Urdu language at India’s 

esteemed Aligarh Muslim University. 

sadiq, maulana kalbe [new] 

Sadiq is a well-known scholar of Shi’a Islam. His aim is to break down the existing barriers between 

Hindus and Muslims in India. Currently, Sadiq is also the vice president of the All India Muslim 

Personal Law Board, focused on sharia law in India. 

INDONESIA 

baswedan, anies [new] 

Baswedan was named one of the World’s 100 Public Intellectuals in 2008 by Foreign Policy 

Magazine, as well as Young Global Leader 2009 by the World Economic Forum. Baswedan is the 

youngest university rector in Indonesia. In 2007, he was selected as rector of Paramadina University 

which was founded by the prominent Muslim scholar, Nurcholis Madjid. Besides his role as a 

political analyst in Indonesian media, Baswedan has frequently joined international seminars and 

written papers for scientific journals, especially in the United States. He is also the research director 

at The Indonesian Institute Center for Public Policy Analysis in Jakarta. 

gymnastiar, abdullah ‘aa gym’ [2009:48] 

Abdullah Gymnastiar, more commonly known as Aa Gym (Elder Brother), is Indonesia’s most 

popular preacher. With his style of modern, youthful, enjoyable preaching he has built a substantial 

following and a media empire. He maintains a regular audience of over 80 million Indonesians 

with an approval rating of close to 90 percent. Gymnastiar is both preacher and performer; he 

is an attractive and charismatic young man, he makes jokes, tells stories and then sings nasheed 

(religious songs) accompanied by lights, dry ice, and a band. 

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Scholarly 

maarif, syafii 

Maarif is one of Indonesia’s most famous scholars whose political comments regularly attract 

significant attention. This former president of the influential Muhammadiyah organization is 

actively involved in the interfaith and peace movements both domestically and internationally, 

largely through his Maarif Institute for Culture and Humanity. Maarif is also a professor of history 

at the National University of Yogyakarta, and a productive author and columnist, currently writing 

two regular columns in ‘Republika’ newspaper and also in GATRA Magazine. 

MALAYSIA 

al akiti, dr muhammad afifi [new] 

Dr Muhammad Afifi al Akiti is a briliant young scholar, a trained theologian and philologist. He 

is a lecturer of Islamic studies with the Faculty of Theology at Oxford University, a KFAS Fellow 

in Islamic Studies, and a fellow at Worcester College. He is internationally acclaimed for his 2005 

fatwa, ‘Defending the transgressed by censuring the reckless against the killing of civilians’ written 

in response to the 7 July London bombings, which was praised by scholars of Islam and gained a 

massive readership on the internet. 

al attas, dr syed muhammad naquib [new] 

Dr al Attas is considered by many to be a scholar giant in the Muslim world. An influential 

philosopher and thinker, he is well-written on the traditional Islamic sciences as well as sufism, 

metaphysics, and philosophy. He has served at various global academic institutions as an educator 

and lead administrator and is also a noted calligrapher. 

kamali, prof. dr mohammad hashim 

Kamali is the world’s leading expert and author on comparative studies between Islamic and 

modern law. He is one of the most prolific producers of quality scholarship on Islam in the world 

today. Originally from Afghanistan, Kamali is a dean and professor at the International Institute 

of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) and the International Islamic University in Malaysia. 

Kamali is also the current Chairman and CEO of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic 

Studies in Malaysia. 

PAKISTAN 

akhtar, hazrat maulana shah hakeem muhammad [new] 

Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar is a Sufi scholar of the Ashrafia order based in Karachi. 

He has authored numerous books on Islamic spirituality including a popular commentary on the 

Mathnawi of Jalaluddin Rumi. Akhtar attracts a vast audience at his spiritual center or khanqah for 

islah-e-nafs (self-correction) and online, where his talks are broadcast live daily. 

hashmi, dr farhat [new] 

Hashmi is an influential lecturer and scholar. She has been instrumental in the burgeoning field 

of the role of women in Islam and has contributed greatly to its literature. Hashmi is the founder 

of Al-Huda International, an NGO actively promoting Islamic education and welfare since 1994. 

najafi, his eminence grand ayatollah muhammad hussain [new] 

Grand Ayatollah Hussain Najafi is the only marja in South Asia. Based in the Sargodha district of 

the Punjab province in Pakistan, he was the first scholar from that country to be given the status of 

marjiyyat and is one of only two Ayatollahs from Pakistan. 

qadiri, sheikh muhammad ilyas attar qadiri [new] 

Sheikh Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri is a leader of the Qadiriyyah, Radaviyyah, Attariya branch 

of the Qadri Sufi order. He is also the founder of Dawat-e-Islami, a Sunni Barelwi revivalist 

movement centering on the propagation of Islamic knowledge. Qadiri is a widely-respected sheikh 

with a significant global following.

Scholarly 

al qadri, dr muhammad tahir 

Al Qadri is a politician, professor, and the founder of Minhaj ul Qur’an International Worldwide, 

an organization whose aim is to establish unity and understanding between communities. He is 

also the founder of the Minhaj Welfare Foundation that provides welfare for the needy. Al Qadri 

has authored some 450 published works and given more than 6,000 lectures on economics and 

political studies, religious and social philosophy, law and medical sciences which are aired on 

international satellite channels such as QTV, PTV Prime and the Islam Channel. He also served as 

a jurist consult (legal advisor) on Islamic law for the Supreme Court and the Federal Shariah Court 

of Pakistan and has worked as a specialist adviser on Islamic curricula for the Federal Ministry of 

Education of Pakistan. 

SINGAPORE 

kassim, ustaz ibrahim 

Ibrahim Kassim is one of Singapore’s most respected Islamic scholars. A judge of the sharia court 

in Singapore and the sheikh of the Chistiyyah Sufi tariqah in Singapore, Kassim is deeply involved 

in the rehabilitation of Jemaah Islamiyah members that are under detention for plotting terrorist 

attacks in Singapore. This rehabilitation work has garnered international attention as a model for 

the reintegration of suspected terrorists that could be replicated in other countries. 

Europe 

BOSNIA 

karic, dr enes [new] 

Dr Enes Karic is a professor of Qur’anic studies and history of the interpretation of Qur’an at the 

Faculty of Islamic Studies with the University of Sarajevo. He previously served as the Minister of 

Education, Science, Culture and Sports with the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1994-1996. 

Dr Karic has written extensively on the Qur’an and Islamic studies in English and Bosnian. 

ESTONIA 

harsinov, his emminence, ahmed 

Ahmed Harisnov is the mufti of Estonia; he has campaigned for the right of Estonia’s Muslims 

to have their own mosque. He also carries out important work as a public figure assuring the 

country’s Christian population that Muslims are a peaceful people. Islam has been present in 

Estonia for over 100 years, but apprehension about Islam has grown since September 11, 2001, 

putting the spotlight on figures such as Harsinov. 

FRANCE 

bencheikh, sheikh sohaib 

Bencheikh is a theologian, a modernist former grand mufti of Marseilles, and one of the most 

influential social leaders and scholars of Islam in France. Bencheikh is also head of the Higher 

Institute for Islamic Studies. Marseilles is a cosmopolitan city with a huge population of Muslims 

of North African ancestry. Bencheikh is a passionate advocate for integration of the Muslim 

population, hijab rights and women’s involvement as imams in the Muslim community. 

GERMANY 

denffer, dr ahmed von [new] 

Dr Ahmed von Denffer is an influential figure in Germany. He has been pivotal in German Islam 

and is a prominent author and translator of Islamic publications in the German language. He has 

published works on the Qur’an, the Islamic Sciences, and Christian-Muslim relations. 

hoffman, his excellency ambassador, dr murad 

Hoffman is an author and Muslim intellectual, respected by both Muslims and non-Muslims. He 

is a prominent former German diplomat and author of several books on Islam, including Journey 

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Scholarly 

to Makkah and The Future of Islam in the West and the East, published in 2008. Many of his books 

and essays focus on Islam’s place in the West and in the United States—specifically in light of the 

post-9/11 climte. 

SWITZERLAND 

ramadan, dr tariq 

Ramadan is Europe’s preeminent Muslim intellectual writing about Islam in public life. He is a 

professor of Islamic Studies at Oxford University and formerly a visiting professor at the Erasmus 

University in Rotterdam. He is the president of the European Muslim Network think tank based in 

Brussels and is an advisor to the European Union on religion. Ramadan has written 15 books and 

produced over 100 recordings. Since a six-year bar on entrance to the US, Ramadan made his first 

public appearance in New York in April 2010. 

TURKEY 

karaman, prof. dr hayrettin 

Karaman is one of the most prominent scholars of Islam in Turkey, and the preeminent scholar of 

Islamic law (sharia) there. He publishes popular and academic texts extensively and writes a weekly 

column in the newspaper ‘Yeni Safak’ (New Dawn). His long career in academia has garnered him 

much respect. At the pinnacle of his career Karaman was a dean at Turkey’s premier university, 

Marmara University. He left this position at the height of the headscarf controversy in 2001. 

UNITED KINGDOM 

motala, hadhrat sheikhul hadith maulana yusuf [new] 

Shiekh Motala is the founder of the Dar ul Ulum Al Arabia Al Ilamia in Holcombe, Bury, 

Lancashire. He is a scholars’ scholar—many of the United Kingdom’s young Deobandi scholars 

have studied under his patronage. Sheikh Motala has an expansive network of students and 

educational institutions which he has founded. 

winter, timothy (sheikh abdal-hakim murad) 

Winter is Britain’s leading Muslim scholar, and also one of the most well-respected Western 

theologians in the Muslim world. He has written on various topics ranging from British Muslim 

history, theological discourse and social issues. Winter teaches theology at Cambridge University 

and is the director of Studies in Theology at Wolfson College in Cambridge. His advice is frequently 

sought on the issue of Muslims in Britain. 

Oceania 

AUSTRALIA 

aly, waleed 

Aly is an Australian academic, lawyer, and Muslim community leader. He is a frequent and 

authoritative commentator on Australian Muslim affairs in the media. He currently works as a 

lecturer at the Global Terrorism Research Centre at Monash University, Melbourne. 

el imam, sheikh fehmi 

El Imam is one of Australia’s most senior Islamic scholars and leaders. As a founding member 

of Victoria’s Islamic community, he has had a major influence on the development of Islam in 

Australia. He is secretary general of the Victorian Board of Imams and also senior imam at the 

Preston Mosque in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Scholarly 

Central America 

EL SAVADOR 

qattan, dr ahmad 

Qattan is a Muslim convert of Palestinian origin. He is the co-founder of the Arab Islamic Center 

in Salvador. Qattan has been an educator and da’wa activist for the past 17 years, and has published 

more than 100,000 copies of an introductory text on Islam, which has been read by an estimated 

250,000 people. 

MEXICO 

rojas, isa 

Rojas is a da’wa activist and author of numerous articles about Islam in Spanish and French. He is 

also a student of religion at Al Madina University, Saudi Arabia. Around 4 million people or more 

have read his articles and translations which have been published on various Islamic websites. He 

is one of the writers and editors at Islamweb.net. 

South America 

ARGENTINA 

garcia, prof. muhammad isa 

Garcia was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He studied Arabic, Islamic studies and theology at 

Umm Al Qura University in Mecca. He is a specialist in the origins of prophetic tradition. Garcia 

has translated numerous books, with many only available to a Spanish-speaking readership in his 

translation. He is also the author of a series named ‘Know Islam’. 

CHILE 

torres, sheikh ismail 

Ismail Torres is a distinguished sheikh and da’wa activist in Chile. The Muslim community in 

Chile remains a small but growing pocket in South America, with communities in Santiago, 

Temuco and Iquique. 

COLOMBIA 

al colombi, dawood abdl ghafur 

Al Colombi is one of the most well-respected Muslim scholars in Colombia. He is the most 

active and influential da’wa activist in Colombia, participating in the conversions of over 1000 

people. He is the founder of a mosque in the city of Pereira and of the Centro Cultural Islamico 

Colombian da’wa project. Al Colombi hosts conferences and awareness lectures for Muslims and 

non-Muslims, and is acknowledged for his talent for conveying the principles of Islam to non- 

Muslims. He is also the author of several articles in Spanish and has created the only library of 

Islamic books in Colombia. 

ECUADOR 

dassum, dr layla 

Dassum is the vice president and co-founder of the Islamic Centre of Ecuador and the director of 

the Muslim Ladies Committee. A well-known da’wa activist in Ecuador, Dassum hosts conferences 

and awareness lectures locally and internationally and teaches women about Islam and the Qur’an. 

Dassum has represented her country in many conferences in the Islamic world. 

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North America 

CANADA 

mattson, ingrid 

Ingrid Mattson is the director of the Islamic Chaplaincy Program and professor at the Hartford 

Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut. In 2001 she was elected vice president of ISNA and in 2006 she 

was elected president, becoming the first woman and the first convert to hold such high positions 

within the organization. ISNA is the largest Muslim organization in North America, and is an 

umbrella organization for numerous local and regional Muslim societies and groups in the United 

States and Canada. 

UNITED STATES 

al alwani, dr taha jaber 

Al Alwani is an active academic and organizer in the international community of Sunni Muslim 

scholars. He is the president of Cordoba University, a former chairman of The Fiqh Council 

of North America, a member of the OIC’s International Islamic Fiqh Academy, and a former 

president of the US office of the International Institute of Islamic Thought. Al Alwani is also the 

author of acclaimed works such as: Source Methodology in Islamic Jurisprudence; Towards a Fiqh 

for Minorities; The Ethics of Disagreement in Islam; Ijtihad; and The Quran and the Sunnah: The 

Time-Space Factor. He is also a senior fellow of the Aal al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in 

Jordan. 

estes, sheikh yusuf 

Sheikh Yusuf Estes is a well-known Muslim preacher of a moderate Salafi background who lectures 

all over the world. He is the former national Muslim chaplain for the US Bureau of Prisons and 

uses technology, such as uploading lectures on the Internet and appearing on television to spread 

Islam in an accessible manner. His website has over 8 million unique hits. 

keller, sheikh nuh 

Keller is a scholar and specialist in Islamic law. He holds the distinction of writing the first 

Islamic legal work in a European language to receive certification from Al Azhar—the second 

oldest university in the world, founded in 975 CE. Keller possesses a number of ijazas in Islamic 

jurisprudence, and teaches students from all over the world. He is a Sheikh of the Shadilyyah Sufi 

order. 

nyang, sulayman s 

Nyang is a professor of African Studies at Howard University and writes extensively on Islam in 

Africa. He is a former deputy ambassador and head of chancery at the Gambian Embassy in Saudi 

Arabia, and a former consultant to several national and international agencies. 

shakir, imam zaid 

Shakir is an influential Islamic scholar currently affiliated with the Zaytuna Institute. He founded 

Masjid al Islam in Connecticut, founded the Tri-State Muslim Education Initiative and the 

Connecticut Muslim Coordinating Committee. He has worked with Shiekh Hamza Yusuf to 

develop the first American Islamic seminary, which graduated its inaugural class in 2008. They 

have since co-founded Zaytuna College, which aspires to become a fully accredited institution. 

siddiqui, prof. dr muzammil h 

Professor Siddiqui is chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America. He is a prolific lecturer, 

adjunct professor of Islamic Studies, director of the Islamic Society of the Orange County Mosque, 

with around 7,000 members, and is the former president of the Islamic Society of North America. 

He is very active in interfaith efforts and is the author of a weekly column on Islamic law.

POLITICAL 


ALGERIA 

bouteflika, his excellency president abdelaziz 

Bouteflika is the incumbent president of Algeria. During his ten years of presidency, Bouteflika 

has succeeded in ending a civil war that ran throughout the nineties and was one of the bloodiest 

civil unrests of the 20th century in the Muslim world. Peace was reached through a process of 

reconciliation and amnesty that was strongly supported by the Islamist and Nationalist belligerents. 

haddam, anwar n 

Haddam is the president and co-founder of the Movement for Liberty and Social Justice (MLJS). 

He was elected to the Algerian parliament under the Islamic Front for Salvation in 1991. A leading 

activist, he is an initiator and signatory of the National Contract for a Peaceful and Political 

Solution to the Algerian Crisis. 

EGYPT 

elbaradei, dr mohamed 

Former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr ElBaradei has been 

recognized globally as a contributor to world peace through his work on non-proliferation and 

nuclear power regulation with the UN. In the run-up to the 2011 Egyptian presidential election, 

ElBaradei leads a reform movement to allow independents to run in the forthcoming election. 

He is widely-endorsed as a potential candidate himself, but has made no public acceptance of the 

nomination. He currently leads the newly-formed National Association for Change, a non-party 

movement that calls for general reforms to Egypt’s constitution. 

mubarak, his excellency president muhammad hosni 

Muhammad Hosni Mubarak is the fourth and current President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. 

Trained as a fighter pilot in the 1960s and 1970s, he was appointed by then-president Sadat as vice 

president in 1975, becoming the vice chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 1978. 

Mubarak has effective control over all aspects of Egyptian government. Egypt, a notable soft power 

player in the region, is one of the cultural hubs of the Islamic world, and is host to a number of 

historically significant institutions, not least of which is Al Azhar University—the second oldest 

university in the world, founded in 975 CE. The choice of Cairo for Obama’s speech to the Muslim 

world was not accidental. 

IRAN 

ahmadinejad, his excellency president mahmoud 

Ahmadinejad is president of Iran and a former University of Science and Industry lecturer. He 

supported the Iranian Islamic Revolution and was a founder of the students’ union that occupied 

the US Embassy in 1979. Ahmadinejad served as governor of Arbadil province and mayor of 

Tehran. As president, he has enfranchised the politics of the nation’s large conservative, working 

class population, which makes him incredibly influential. In doing so, he also marginalized Iran’s 

rising middle class, a fact that curtails some of his influence on Iranian society. 

ebtekar, her excellency dr masoumeh 

Ebtekar was the first female vice president of Iran in 1997 and has remained at the center of the 

revolutionary movement in Iran, since 1979, and has occupied the highest political office to be 

reached by a woman in the country. She is a considerable force in the reformist movement in Iran, 

and one of the founding members of the reformist Islamic Iran Participation Front. 

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jalili, saaed 

Jalili is secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the chief Iranian nuclear 

negotiator. The nuclear issue is central to both Iranian domestic politics—nuclear technology 

has become somewhat of a goal for Iran—and international geopolitics, as many countries, 

particularly Israel and the US, are wary of further nuclear proliferation. Jalili was brought in after 

former negotiator Ali Larajani resigned. His role is pivotal in the future security of the Islamic 

Republic of Iran and the success of its nuclear power program. 

khatami, his excellency mohammad 

Mohammad Khatami is a reformist politician who served as president of Iran from 1997 to 2005. 

Although he was ineffective at bringing around many of the changes from his mandate that were 

sought by Iranian society, he remains a figurehead of the reformist movement. Khatami was elected 

to the first Majles al Shura and is known internationally for his proposal in 2000 promoting the 

UN ‘Dialogue Among Civilizations’ initiative, a movement he hoped would counter the prevailing 

sentiment that there was a ‘Clash of Civilizations’. 

rafsanjani, his excellency ayatollah ali akbar hashemi 

Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is a reformer who served as president of Iran from 1989 

to 1997. He currently holds the position of head of the Expediency Council, a position designed 

to settle disputes between the Iranian parliament and the Council of Guardians. It is one of the 

most senior positions in Iranian politics as the Expediency Council has the power to dismiss the 

Supreme Leader. 

IRAQ 

dari, harith 

Dari is the current leader of the Sunni Ulema Union, the largest association of Sunni Muslim 

scholars in Iraq. He is a key figure in the movement to expel foreign troops from Iraq, and has 

given religious sanction to many of the controversial tactics of insurgents, such as kidnapping, 

arguing that there is historical precedent for such practices. 

ISRAEL 

salah, sheikh raed 

Raed Salah is the head of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel. He is widely 

respected in the Islamic world as a spiritual leader. From 1989 to 2001 Salah also served as the 

mayor of Umm al Fahm, an Israeli-Arab city. 

LEBANON 

hariri, his excellency saad rafic 

Saad Rafic Hariri is the prime minister designate of Lebanon. He is a Lebanese businessman and 

the son of the late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Since his father’s assassination in 2005 he has 

assumed presidency of the Future Movement. He entered parliament in 2005, and remains one of 

the most prominent leaders of the March 14th group. 

PALESTINE 

abbas, his excellency president mahmoud 

Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, is the president of the Palestinian National Authority a cofounder 

of Fatah, and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Considered a moderate, 

he advocated negotiations with Israel and initiated dialogue with Jewish and pacifist movements in 

the 1970s. Much was expected of his presidency of the Palestinian National Authority and his lack 

of ability to offer any significant progress has diluted his influence both as a political leader and 

as a peacemaker. However his position ensures that he remains a central figure in global politics. 

haniyah, ismail 

Haniyah is a senior political leader of Hamas and one of two disputed prime ministers of the

Political 

Palestinian National Authority, a matter under political and legal dispute. After being dismissed by 

President Mahmoud Abbas, Haniyah continued to exercise prime ministerial authority in the Gaza 

Strip. Haniyah is a popular figure able to broaden the appeal of Hamas in Gazan politics. 

SUDAN 

al bashir, his excellency president omar 

Al Bashir is the current president of Sudan and head of the National Congress Party. He came to 

power in a coup in 1989 and has since instituted elements of sharia law throughout the country, 

including in Christian and animist areas. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for al Bashir in 2009, 

indicting him on five counts of crimes against humanity (murder, extermination, forcible transfer, 

torture and rape) and two counts of war crimes (pillaging and intentionally directing attacks 

against civilians). 

SYRIA 

al assad, his excellency president bashar 

Al Assad is an Alawite Shi’a and president of the Syrian Arab Republic. He has broad appeal as a 

leader of a predominantly Muslim country through a number of reforms that he instituted. He 

changed the law soon after taking office to allow the wearing of hijab in public schools. He also 

began permitting soldiers to pray in mosques. Assad has made an increasing amount of references 

to Syria’s Islamic heritage in official speeches, signaling that Islam is not as feared as it once was by 

the Syrian government. 

TUNISIA 

ghannushi, rashid 

Ghannoushi has influenced Tunisian politics since the 1980s when he founded the Renaissance 

Party. The Renaissance Party is an Islamic political party whose principles and ideals have been 

widely accepted by Tunisians. Ghannoushi continues to lead the party in exile in London, and 

writes prolifically. Although seen as a radical in Tunisia, he is respected throughout the world as a 

proponent of Islamic democracy. 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 

al maktoum, his highness amir sheikh mohammed bin rashid [2009:21] 

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum is the Ruler of Dubai and the Prime Minister of the 

United Arab Emirates. Although his influence has ebbed, especially in light of the financial crisis 

and national debt facing Dubai and its major investment company, Dubai World, al Maktoum is 

a well-respected politician in the Middle East. He has launched multiple charity initiatives from 

Dubai, such as ‘Dubai Cares’ which has donated over $910 million to youth education initiatives in 

impoverished countries since its inception in 2007. 

al nahyan, his highness sheikh khalifa bin zayed 

Al Nahyan is the president of one of the fastest-growing nations in the world, the United Arab 

Emirates. He has significant power over the direction in which the Emirates go and has very clear 

opinions about Islam’s role in the economic development of the UAE, saying that women are 

accorded the right to work where they please as long as a respectful environment is maintained. 

Under his leadership, the UAE has seen significant economic growth and the renaming of the Burj 

Dubai to Burj Khalifa is considered a symbol of Al Nahyan’s financial power. 

Middle Africa 

CHAD 

deby itno, his excellency president idriss 

Deby is the president of Chad and the head of the Patriotic Salvation Movement. He took power 

in 1990, leading a predominantly Muslim army. Muslims make up around 55 percent of Chad’s 11 

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million people. Deby holds great domestic authority through his ability to consolidate power in 

Chad. Chad was previously affected by a high frequency of coup d’états. He participated in the 

negotiated peace agreement in February 2010 between the rebel groups of the Justice and Equality 

Movement and the Sudanese government. 

East Africa 

SOMALIA 

ahmed, his excellency president sheikh sharif sheikh 

Ahmed is the ninth president of Somalia and former commander in chief of the Islamic Courts 

Union—a previously militaristic organization that had significant control over the country, which 

has now reformed into a Somalian political party. Ahmed was educated in sharia in Sudan and 

Libya and is a Hafiz of the Qur’an (one who has memorized the entire Qur’an) and the spiritual 

leader of the Idriseeyah order of Sufi Islam in Somalia. 

aweys, sheikh hassan dahir 

Aweys is an influential Somali leader. He is a Salafi and the former head of the Shura Council of the 

Islamic Courts Union of Somalia. In April 2009 Aweys returned to Somalia and declared war on 

the African Peace Keeping Forces (AMISOM). Although marginalized from mainstream Somali 

politics, he continues to enjoy significant support from the Al Shabbab resistance movement in 

Somalia. 

West Africa 

MALI 

touré, his excellency president amadou toumani 

Touré is the president of Mali which has a 95 percent majority of Muslims. He overthrew the 

military ruler, Moussa Traoré in 1991, then handed power to civilian authorities the next year. 

Touré won the presidential elections in 2002, with a broad coalition of support and was easily reelected 

in 2007. 

Asia 

AFGHANISTAN 

karzai, his excellency president hamid 

Hamid Karzai was elected as president of Afghanistan for a full five-year term in September 2004, 

becoming the first directly-elected president in the country’s history. He was then reelected to a 

subsequent five-year term in a controversial election in 2009. Karzai has been able to build up 

considerable support from the Afghans. Under his presidency Afghanistan’s economy has been 

growing rapidly for the first time in many years. His administration does, however, suffer from 

widespread allegations of corruption. 

AZERBAIJAN 

aliyev, his excellency president ilham 

Aliyev is the current president of Azerbaijan and the chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party. 

Although not outwardly religious, he is a Muslim and his advocacy of a moderate cultural Islam 

is representative of the demands of the population of the country. Azerbaijan, with a population 

of approximately 7.5 million Muslims is an active member of the Organization of the Islamic 

Conference. 

BANGLADESH 

wazed, her excellency sheikha hasina 

Sheikha Hasina Wazed is the current prime minister of Bangladesh and the president of one of

Political 

Bangladesh’s major political parties, the Awami League. Poverty alleviation has become a priority 

for one of the poorest but most populous Muslim countries in the world, under Wazed’s leadership. 

Wazed is the daughter of Muijibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh. 

INDONESIA 

djalal, dr dino patti [new] 

Djalal is the presidential spokesperson for President Yudhoyono, and is also a diplomat, speech 

writer, youth activist, academic, and author of a national best seller. 

MALAYSIA 

abidin, his majesty spb yang dipertuan agong tuanku mizan zainal [new] 

The Yang DiPertuan Agong is the constitutional monarch of Malaysia, with a population of 25.9 

million. He is also the Sultan of Terengganu and currently one of the youngest and longest-reigning 

Malay rulers. As King, he is also considered the Head of Islam. 

ibrahim, his excellency dr anwar 

Ibrahim is a Malaysian politician of global stature. He is the former deputy prime minister of 

Malaysia, former finance minister and is currently the leader of the Malaysian opposition coalition. 

He is well-known for his liberal Islamic stance on politics, and is incredibly influential as a leader 

and role model for young people. Ibrahim’s coalition now controls four of 13 state governments. If 

led by Anwar, it would have a fair chance of winning the next national election in 2013. 

ismail, dr wan azizah wan [new] 

Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is the president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (People’s Justice Party). She 

was Leader of the Opposition Party until she stepped down for Anwar Ibrahim. 

razak, najib tun 

Razak became the 6th prime minister of Malaysia in 2009. He is focused on domestic economic 

issues and political reform, promotes economic liberalization, and has stated that Malaysia is led 

by Islamic principles and is not a secular state. Razak is also the president of the United Malays 

National Organization (UMNO). 

PAKISTAN 

ahmed, qazi hussain [new] 

Qazi Hussain Ahmed is a former Amir of the Jamaat-e-Islami Islamist political party in Lahore, 

which is an influential network of millions of Muslims involved in missionary work, Islamic 

education, and some relief efforts. The Jamaat-e-Islami has been labeled extremist for its ties 

to jihadist movements in Pakistan, however Qazi Ahmed and the organization continue to be 

popular and influential with their missionary campaigns. 

kayani, general ashfaq 

Kayani is the Pakistani army’s chief of staff. He has immense influence as the Islamic Republic 

of Pakistan’s leading military figure. Kayani has particular influence currently as the country 

undergoes continued unrest with significant amounts of power in the hands of non-governmentcontrolled 

militia, and the federal government finds ways to regain control. 

lodi, her excellency ambassador dr maleeha 

Maleeha Lodi is a journalist and diplomat. She previously served on the UN Secretary General’s 

Advisory Board on Disarmament Affairs and as Pakistani ambassador to the US and Britain. Lodi 

received the President’s Award of Hilal-e-Imtiaz for public service in Pakistan. She was recently 

given the prestigious honor of being named a counsel on the Council of the Institute of Strategic 

Studies; Europe’s premier think tank. 

rahman, maulana fazlur [new] 

Maulana Fazlur Rahman is the Secretary General of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal coalition of 

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religious parties in Pakistan’s parliament. He is also the president of the Deobandi religio-political 

organization, Jamiat Ulema-Islam, or Assembly of Islamic Scholars. Rahman leads one of two 

main branches of the expansive organization which is a member of the National Assembly of 

Pakistan. He is widely-respected as a dedicated scholar of Islam and is a seasoned politician. 

PHILIPPINES 

misuari, nur 

Nur Misuari is a revolutionary leader of the Bangsamoro and began his campaign for better 

treatment of the people of Mindanao by the Manila government through the Mindanao 

Independence Movement (MIM) in the 1970s, which later became the Moro National Liberation 

Front (MNLF). Under Misuari’s leadership the MNLF challenged the government until the Tripoli 

Agreement was negotiated in 1976. 

SINGAPORE 

rasheed, his excellency zainul abidin 

Rasheed is the senior minister of state for foreign affairs for Singapore and the mayor of the North 

Eastern district of Singapore. Rasheed’s activities have a focus on Singapore’s diplomatic relations 

with the Muslim world, and also on sharing knowledge about Singapore’s experience of intercultural 

and inter-religious relations with nations with substantial Muslim populations. Rasheed 

is widely known domestically, having held numerous positions of leadership throughout his career 

in journalism, organized labor and representing Singapore’s large percentage of Muslims. 

TAJIKISTAN 

rahmon, his excellency emomalii [new] 

Rasheed has been the President of Tajikistan since 1994. He has done much to establish a distinct 

Tajik identity, and has called for closer ties with other Muslim nations in the region. 

THAILAND 

pitsuwan, his excellency dr surin 

Pitsuwan is the secretary general of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and a 

former foreign minister of Thailand. He is an advocate for better relations with Muslims in South 

East Asia, speaking out against the marginalization of Muslim communities. ASEAN is one of the 

most important international organizations in the world, coordinating the economies and politics 

of some of the fastest-growing middle-income economies in the world. 

TURKMENISTAN 

berdimuhamedow, his excellency president gurbanguly mälikgulyýewiç 

Berdimuhamedow has been the president of Turkmenistan since 21 December, 2006. In April 

2007, Berdimuhamedow visited Islamic holy sites in Medina furthering the relationship he seeks 

to build with the broader Muslim world. He is a moderate Muslim traditionalist who has sought 

to normalize life in Turkmenistan after the more unorthodox religious beliefs of his predecessor 

Niyazov. 

Europe 

DENMARK 

khader, nasser 

Khader is Denmark’s leading Muslim politician. As a member of parliament, he has represented 

both the Social Liberal Party and the Liberal Alliance, the latter until 5 January, 2009 as founding 

leader. A leading proponent of the peaceful co-existence of democracy and Islam, he established 

a new movement, Moderate Muslims (later renamed Democratic Muslims), when the Jyllands- 

Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy started.

Political 

FRANCE 

bechari, dr mohammad 

Bechari, born in Morocco, is a leader and prolific and dynamic public figure in the landscape 

of European Islam. He is the president of the French National Federation of Muslims, one of 

the leading entities organizing Islam in France. He is also the secretary general of the Islamic 

European Conference, a Europe-wide umbrella organization that seeks to be a single organization 

representing European Muslims at a European level. Bechari is the founder of the Avicenna 

Institute in Lille and is the vice president of the French Council of the Muslim Faith. 

KOSOVO 

thaçi, his excellency prime minister hashim 

Thaçi was formerly a political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The KLA was the 

guerrilla group that fought against Serb forces in the late 1990s. Thaçi is the prime minister of the 

newly formed Kosovan national government. Kosovo itself is significant as an important cause for 

international Muslim solidarity, and is the most recently recognized Muslim-majority country in 

the world. 

RUSSIA 

kadyrov, his excellency president ramzan 

President of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov is the son of former president, rebel leader and preacher 

Akhmad Kadyrov. He maintains an iron grip on Chechnya’s government and institutions. 

minnikhanov, his excellency president dr rustam [new] 

Dr Minnikhanov is the newly-elected president of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian 

Federation. Tatarstan is an affluent region in the center of Russia, and its religious culture has been 

lauded as a model of the combination of Islam and European culture. President Minnikhanov is 

the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, and was nominated for the presidency by 

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. 

yevloyev, akhmed 

Yevloyev is an important rebel leader based in Ingushetia, a region bordering Chechnya. He is part 

of the broader Caucasian Front movement, which is trying to set up an Islamic free-state on the 

southern border of Russia. 

SPAIN 

bakkach el aamrani, mostafa [new] 

El Aamrani is a notable writer, poet and journalist of Moroccan descent. In early March 2010 he 

created the Partido Renacimeinto y Unión España or PRUNE party as its founding president. The 

PRUNE party is the first national Islamic political party in Spain and is based on a platform of 

‘justice, equality, and solidarity’. 

TURKEY 

davutoglu, his excellency ahmet 

Davutoglu is the current minister of foreign affairs of Turkey. He is considered the most important 

figure for redefining the new framework of Turkish foreign policy under the AK Party’s rule. 

Before becoming the foreign minister, Davutoglu served as chief foreign policy advisor to PMs 

Gül and Erdogan. He is influential both as a politician and a well-respected, and successful scholar 

of international relations and the Muslim world. 

erbakan, his excellency prof. necmettin 

Erbakan is a former prime minister of Turkey (1996-1997), and the founder of the National View 

movement from which the current prime minister and president hail. Erbakan’s election to prime 

minister was the first time an Islamic party, the Welfare Party, had been elected to govern in modern 

Turkish history. He has advocated a stronger relationship between Turkey and the Muslim world, 

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which much of the Turkish electorate supports. He remains one of the most well-known Turkish 

politicians in the Muslim world. 


ahmed, lord nazir 

Nazir Ahmed is the first Muslim member of the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the United 

Kingdom’s bicameral parliament. Membership is for life, and underlines the respect and trust he 

enjoys in the British establishment. Ahmed has worked on issues relating to Islam and Britain’s 

Muslim community. He also works internationally to promote dialogue and freedom of religion. 

ali, dr anas al shaikh 

Anas al Shaikh Ali is the chair of the small but dynamic Association of Muslim Social Scientists 

(AMSS) and the director of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIT) London Office. 

The AMSS has been active in producing policy papers and publications on issues of concern to the 

UK’s Muslim population for many years, but was thrust into mainstream domestic politics after 

the events of 7 July, 2005 in London. Ali has been at the forefront of a number of international 

campaigns for better relations between faiths, specifically in promoting the ‘A Common Word’ 

initiative and also the fight against the demonization of Islam in media, founding the UK’s Forum 

against Islamophobia and Racism. 

warsi, lady sayeeda 

Warsi is the most senior Muslim in the Conservative Party. She is the Shadow Minister for 

Community Cohesion and Social Action, and a member of the shadow cabinet. She was part of the 

successful mission by British Muslim politicians to Sudan to secure the release of an imprisoned 

British teacher in 2007. 

North America 

UNITED STATES 

ellison, representative keith 

Keith Ellison is the first Muslim to serve in the US Congress. He is serving his second term in the 

Fifth Congressional District of Minnesota in the United States House of Representatives and also 

serves on the Financial Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. Representative Ellison has been 

an outspoken advocate for American Muslims and his trips to the Muslim world, such as a visit to 

Palestine in the aftermath of the Israeli attacks in 2009, have garnered international support for his 

outreach to the Muslim world. 

hussain, rashad 

Rashad Hussain is the first Indian-American to be appointed Deputy Associate Counsel to the 

president; he was appointed by President Obama. He is a former trial attorney at the US Department 

of Justice, a former legislative assistant to the House Judiciary Committee, and a former editor of 

the Yale Law Journal. Hussain was subsequently named the US envoy to the Organization of the 

Islamic Conference, in March 2010. He is lauded for his balance of secular and religious leadership 

as a young Muslim lawyer and Hafiz (one who has memorized the entire Qur’an), playing a key 

role in advising the American President on US-Muslim world affairs.

ADMINISTRATIVE 


ALGERIA 

ghlamallah, his excellency bouabdellah 

Ghlamallah is Algeria’s long-standing Minister of Waqf and Islamic Affairs, a position he has held 

since the election of current President Bouteflika in 1999. He previously held high level positions in 

the Ministry of Education throughout the 1980s and 1990s where he went from focusing on basic 

education to the organization of Qur’anic schools and religious education. Ghlamallah maintains 

a strong commitment to France’s Algerian Muslim community. 

EGYPT 

al husseini, dr abd allah [new] 

Dr Abd Allah al Husseini was appointed to the Presidency of the Al Azhar University upon the 

resignation of Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad al Tayeb in March 2010. Al Husseini is formerly the vice 

president for educational and student affairs at Al Azhar. 

IRAN 

jafari, general mohammad ali [2009:41] 

General Mohammad Ali Jafari is the Chief Commander of the Iranian Army of the Guardians of 

the Islamic Revolution (also known as the Revolutionary Guard), an elite faction of the Iranian 

armed forces—separate from the army—that reports directly to the Velayat-e Faqih. Jafari is the 

leader of 200,000 troops, close to 300,000 reservists, and the 20,000 strong highly trained Quds 

Force. The Revolutionary Guard Corps occupies cabinet positions, parliament seats, and controls 

500 companies in various business industries. The Revolutionary Guard also exerts influence 

through funding and directing Shi‘a movements abroad such as Hezbollah, and the Mahdi Army. 

Because of this, Jafari has a significant degree of control in Iraq. 

sobhani, his eminence ayatollah jafar 

Sobhani is a leading member of the Council of Mujtahids in the Seminary of Qom; one of the 

two most important centers of learning in Twelver Shi’ism. He is the director of the Imam Sadiq 

Institute, Iran. His work in all areas of the Islamic sciences is widely known and receives critical 

attention. Sobhani is a prolific writer having published over 300 scholarly works. 

vaez-tabasi, his eminence ayatollah abbas 

Vaez-Tabasi is at the head of Iran’s single richest institution, the Holy Estate of Imam Reza. The 

Holy Estate owns hundreds of companies and resources. Its revenue is supplemented by the 

donations of the millions of pilgrims that make the journey to Mashhad, where Imam Reza (the 

eighth of the Twelver Imams) is buried. 

JORDAN 

al abbadi, his excellency abdul salam 

Al Abbadi is the current secretary general of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, based in Saudi 

Arabia. The academy is the highest legal authority of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, 

and the highest non-sectarian Islamic legal authority in the Muslim world. Al Abbadi is a professor 

of Islamic jurisprudence, and former president of the Aal al Bayt University. 

farhan, ishaq 

Farhan is the leader of the Islamic Action Front (IAF). The IAF is the political arm of the Muslim 

Brotherhood in Jordan. Farhan is known as a moderate, and was an early advocate of the 

participation of women in the Brotherhood movement. 

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LEBANON 

daouk, amine m 

Daouk is the head of the Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association of Beirut. Makassed is one 

of the oldest modern Islamic development organizations in Lebanon. It started as an initiative 

to make free education available to girls and has developed into a major Muslim development 

organization, focusing on education, health care, and social issues. 

nashabeh, prof. dr hisham 

Nashabeh is the chairman of the Board of Higher Education and the dean of education at the 

Makassed Association, Lebanon where he oversees the educational work of all the institutions 

in the Makassed network. Nashabeh is also chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of 

Palestine Studies and the director of the Institute of Higher Islamic Studies, both based in Beirut. 

LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA 

al sharif, prof. dr muhammad ahmed 

Al Sharif is the secretary general of the World Islamic Call Society (WICS), Tripoli. The WICS 

is one of the leading organizations working globally to promote the Islamic faith. It has worked 

largely in Africa to spread the message of Islam and also for development work there. It is a huge 

network of organizations with a powerful patron: Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. 

MOROCCO 

modghari, his excellency dr abd al kabir 

Modghari is the director of the Casablanca-based Bayt Mal al Quds agency of the Organization of 

the Islamic Conference, which is devoted to safeguarding the city of Jerusalem and its religious, 

architectural and cultural heritage, and also providing development assistance to the Palestinian 

population and their institutions. Modghari was a former long-term Minister of Waqf and Islamic 

Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco representing the late King Hassan II. 

OMAN 

al khalili, his eminence sheikh ahmad 

Sheikh al Khalili is the grand mufti of Oman. He is head of religious institutions there, and is 

charged with ensuring that the religious teachings of Oman follow a moderate path. Al Khalili 

issues fatwas on behalf of Oman’s establishment and represents Oman in Islamic events abroad. 

PALESTINE 

sabri, his eminence sheikh dr ikrima sa’id 

Sabri is head of the Supreme Islamic Council, and a former grand mufti of Jerusalem and all of 

Palestine. He remains an Imam of the Blessed Al Aqsa Mosque, preaching there regularly. Sabri is 

an important figure who is well-respected by many in Palestine for his forthright views on Israel. 

SAUDI ARABIA 

al faisal, his royal highness prince mohammed 

Prince Mohammed al Faisal has been groundbreaking in the area of Islamic finance, setting up the 

first modern bank run in compliance with the rules of sharia. The Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt 

was set up in Cairo in 1977, and aimed to be a model of Islamic banking for future initiatives. 

Islamic banking is founded on the premise of lending without interest. Prince al Faisal remains the 

chairman of the board of directors of the bank. 

olayan, lubna 

Lubna Olayan is internationally recognized as Saudi Arabia’s top businesswoman. As a leading 

investor in the Saudi economy, chief executive officer of the Olayan Financing Company, and a 

board member for organizations such as Saudi Hollandi Bank, Rolls Royce and Citigroup, among 

others, she is one of the most influential businesswomen in the world.


al rajhi, sulaiman abdul aziz 

Al Rajhi owns the biggest stake in the world’s largest organization for Islamic banking and finance, 

Al Rajhi Bank, with roughly 60 outlets in Saudi Arabia and additional outlets in Malaysia. As 

Saudi Arabia’s richest non-royals, members of the al Rajhi family are among the world’s leading 

philanthropists. They also run the SARR Foundation: a network of charities and research 

organizations. 

SYRIA 

alchaar, dr mohammed nedal 

Alchaar is the secretary general of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial 

Institutions (AAOIFI). The AAOIFI is an independent international corporate organization 

supported by its 200 members from 45 countries around the globe which comprise the international 

Islamic banking and finance industry. It is one of the key organizations creating standards for the 

Islamic banking industry. 


SOUTH AFRICA 

hendricks, maulana igsaan 

Hendricks is the president of the Muslim Judicial Council of Cape Town. The Muslim Judicial 

Council is one of the central Islamic organizations in South Africa, doing educational work as 

well as social work for the Muslim community. The organization runs the International Peace 

University of South Africa (IPSA), and oversees administration of Cape Town’s Al Azhar Institute. 

Middle Africa 

CHAD 

abakar, sheikh hussain hassan 

Sheikh Hussain Hassan Abakar is the Imam of the Muslims of Chad and the chairman of the 

Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Chad. He is also a founding member of the Muslim World 

League (MWL). Abakar oversees the activities of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in 

implementing educational and cultural programs through Islamic schools, educational books and 

training courses for imams. He has been important in fundraising for the education of Muslims 

in Chad. 

East Africa 

MALAWI 

king’ombe, sheikh aman 

King’ombe is the Spiritual Advisor of the Celebrations of the Birth of the Prophet Muhammad. 

He is a cleric responsible for the organization of the festivities. The festivities are attended by 

thousands of Muslims from around Africa. In 2009 King’ombe extended an invitation to the 

Christian population of Malawi to partake in the festival. 

ZIMBABWE 

menk, mufti ismail musa [new] 

Mufti Ismail Musa Menk is the director of the Daarul Ilm (Islamic Educational Centre) of the 

Majlisul Ulama. The Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe is an Islamic welfare organization which caters to 

the needs of the Muslim population of Zimbabwe, especially in terms of Islamic education. Menk 

is a noted scholar in eastern Africa and also lectures internationally. 

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West Africa 

MAURITANIA 

bah, prof. dr mohammed el mokhtar ould 

Bah is the president of the Chinguetti Modern University, Mauritania. Chinguetti is a UNESCO 

World Heritage site because of its importance as a center of Islamic learning in the North West 

coast of Africa. This gives Bah a position with considerable historical and religious capital in West 

Africa. 

NIGERIA 

ajibola, his excellency prince bola 

Prince Bola Ajibola is the former head of the Nigerian High Commission in London and the 

president and founder of the Islamic Movement for Africa. He also served as the vice chairman 

of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague between 1991 and 1994. In 1994 Prince 

Ajibola was appointed Judge ad-hoc to the Permanent Court of International Arbitration, with 

respect to the court’s deliberations on the land dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon. He also 

served as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice in Nigeria. Most recently he founded the 

Crescent University, in Abeokuta, Nigeria. He is also a senior fellow of the Aal al Bayt Institute for 

Islamic Thought in Jordan. 

mohamed, imam ustaz musa [new] 

Imam Mohamed is the chief imam of the Abuja National Mosque in Nigeria. As the leading imam 

of the national mosque of Nigeria, Imam Mohamed is often the spokesperson for Islamic religious 

affairs in the country. 

Asia 

AFGHANISTAN 

gilani, pir sayyed ahmad [new] 

Gilani is a Sufi cleric of the Qadiriyya tariqa as well as the leader of the National Islamic Front of 

Afghanistan, a moderate Islamic resistance organization. Since taking leadership of the Sufi order, 

Gilani has liberalized the tariqa and made it more welcoming to all. 

samim, dr abdul zahir shafiq [new] 

Dr Abdul Zahir Shafiq Samim has recently been appointed deputy minister for Islamic education 

at the Ministry of Education in Afghanistan. Prior to his current position, Dr Samim served as 

deputy minister at the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs. He has made important contributions 

to Islamic education in Afghanistan and has assisted the national commission in the formulation 

and planning of Islamic education in Afghanistan through the Ministry of Education. 

BANGLADESH 

rahman, mohammad fazlur 

Rahman is the leader of the Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh. The Islamic Foundation is a quasigovernmental 

organization working under the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Bangladesh. Its 

chief aims are educational, and organizational, researching, publishing, offering scholarships and 

also providing funding to maintain mosques. The head office of the Islamic Foundation is in 

Dhaka, and is supported by six regional offices and 58 district offices. The organization runs seven 

imam training centers and 29 centers for da’wa. 

CAMBODIA 

adam, h.e. zakaryya [new] 

H.E. Zakaryya Adam is a member of the Cambodian parliament, and serves as a member of the 

Commission on Education, Youth, Sport, Religious Affairs, Culture and Tourism. Previously, he 

held the position of secretary of state in the Ministry of Cult and Religion. In addition to his


government service, H.E. Zakaryya Adam holds several other prominent positions in support 

of the advancement of the Muslim community in Cambodia. He serves as vice president of the 

Highest Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, as the vice president of the Cambodian Muslim 

Development Foundation (CMDF), general secretary for the Cambodian Islamic Center (CIC), 

and as a director of Cambodian Islamic Voice Radio. Adam has translated the Qur’an, as well as 

other Islamic books, from Arabic into the Khmer language for Cambodian readers; he has also 

written a Melayu-Khmer dictionary. 

CHINA 

guangyuan, imam chen chen 

Guangyuan is the Grand Imam of China as well as the president of the Islamic Association of 

China and the president of the Chinese-Islamic Institute. He has a very important position, with 

China’s roughly 20 million Muslims coming almost exclusively from minority groups. Guangyuan, 

has also recently spoken out in opposition to violence against Uighurs. 

arshad, mufti mohammad 

Mohammad Arshad is the chief imam of Hong Kong and the khateeb (orator) of the largest mosque 

in Hong Kong. Arshad keeps good relations with the government, police and foreign consulates. 

Approximately 50,000 Muslims live in Hong Kong. 

INDIA 

bukhari, syed ahmad [new] 

Bukhari is the imam of the largest and best-known mosque in India, Jama Masjid. 

INDONESIA 

indrawati, sri mulyani [new] 

Sri Mulyani Indrawati is one of the most powerful women in the world and an Indonesian 

policymaker with an international profile. She was recently re-appointed as finance minister in 

2009. Since her appointment, Southeast Asia’s largest economy has become one of the fastestgrowing 

economies in the region, due in part to the combination of sound economic policies and 

a more stable political situation. 

mahfudz, sahal [new] 

Mahfudz was re-elected for a third term as chief of the consultative body (syuriah) of the 

Nahdlatul Ulama in March 2010. Since 2000 he has been the head the Indonesia Ulema Council, 

which comprises both Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s most influential Islamic 

organizations. The Ulama Council grants halal food certification and also actively produces fatwas. 

Besides being a dean of Nahdlatul Ulama Institute, Jepara, Sahal also manages Maslakul Huda, a 

Pesantren that actively supports the economic development of the surrounding neighborhood 

through its microfinance program. 

umar, dr nasaruddin 

Nasaruddin is the director general of religious guidance at the Indonesian Ministry of Religious 

Affairs. He is also a rector at the Institute for Advanced Qur’anic Studies in Indonesia and secretary 

general of the Nahdhatul Ulama Consultative Council. 

MALAYSIA 

nik mat, dato’ haji nick abdul aziz [2009:42] 

Dato’ Haji Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is a Malaysian politician, an Islamic scholar and has been the 

chief minister of the State of Kelantan for the past 20 years. He holds the position of Mursyidul 

Am—the religious guide—within the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). As the religious guide 

of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, Nik Mat is the spiritual leader of Malaysian Islamic politics 

and holds very important sway over the tenor of politics in the nation. Nik Mat’s fundamentalist 

party has close to one million members and enjoys strong support from the northern rural and 

conservative states such as Kelantan and Terengganu. 

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MALDIVES 

saeed, mohamed shaheem ali [new] 

Saeed is the minister of state for Islamic Affairs for the Republic of Maldives. His knowledge of 

Islam has provided good leadership to his ministry, especially in the drafting of regulations under 

the Religious Unity Act of the Maldives which, he believes, would provide a legal framework to 

protect Islam. Saeed is also collaborating with the Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation to 

introduce a new television channel which would focus on relating Islam to the broader issues of 

society. He was a member of the World Islamic People’s Leadership and the Islamic Fiqh Academy 

in the Maldives. 

PAKISTAN 

siddiqui, dr anwar hussain [new] 

Siddiqui is the president of the International Islamic University in Islamabad, a school aiming to 

produce scholars and practitioners able to use their Islamic learning to meet the economic, social, 

political, and intellectual needs of the ummah. 

SRI LANKA 

mufthi, m.i.m. rizvi [new] 

M.I.M. Rizvi Mufthi is the head of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), an organization that 

plays an active role as the Islamic religious higher authority of Sri Lanka with 3000 active members 

under its 22 districts and 15 divisional branches. ACJU has recently established a Halal Certification 

Authority in Sri Lanka and also publishes a quarterly which lists halal-certified organisations and 

products. One of the pioneering scholars in the field of Islamic banking and finance, Mufthi is a 

member of the sharia advisory councils for a number of Islamic financial institutions in Sri Lanka. 

UZBEKISTAN 

alemov, his eminence usman 

Alemov has been the chief mufti of Uzbekistan since 2006. He is respected for his moderate stance 

and proven record in coping with extremists in the Samarkand region where he was formerly a 

mufti. Alemov was instrumental in making Tashkent the ISESCO Capital of Islamic Culture for 

2007. 

Europe 

ALBANIA 

koci, hafiz sabri 

Hafiz Sabri Koci is chairman of the Albanian Islamic Community, which is the country’s ruling 

Islamic body. He spent 27 years in a prison labour camp under the communist rule during which 

he authored many books about Islam. These works were so inspiring that he was elected as leader 

of Albanian Muslims after his release. 

AUSTRIA 

shakfeh, annas 

Shakfeh is the head of the Islamic Faith Community in Austria (IGGIOe). He has been its 

president for around a decade, building a close relationship with the Austrian state on community 

integration. Shakfeh also leads the Islamic Education Authority. In 2008 he was decorated for his 

services to the Republic of Austria by President Heinz Fischer. 

BELARUS 

voronovich, ismail mukharemovich 

Voronovich runs the Muslim Spiritual Directorate of Belarus which is linked to a number of small 

communities around Belarus, with the largest congregation based at a mosque in Slonim.


CZECH REPUBLIC 

sanka, vladimir 

Vladimir Sanka is the vice president of The Islamic Centre in Prague. The Czech Republic is one of 

the least religious countries in Europe, however Sanka’s center bucks this trend, leading the fastestgrowing 

religious community in Prague, and reflecting a larger movement throughout Europe. 

DENMARK 

pederson, abdul wahid 

Abdul Wahid Pederson is the vice president of Muslims in Dialogue, which promotes Islam within 

Denmark. Pederson is also the principal of three elementary schools, vice chairman of the Islamic 

Christian Study Centre, foreign relations manager of the Muslim Council of Denmark, and 

secretary general of the charity Danish Muslim Aid. He is the first imam to hold Friday sermons 

in Danish. 

FINLAND 

daher, okan 

Okan Daher is a leader of the Tatar Muslim population of Helsinki. Tatar Muslims have lived in 

Finland for centuries. He is influential in community relations with the Christian-majority society 

of Finland by promoting ways to adapt flexibly while maintaining cultural heritage, and he is also 

influential through promoting relations with the various Tatar communities in Europe. Daher is 

also head of the Islamic Community of Finland and an advisor to the President of the Republic 

of Finland. 

FRANCE 

moussaoui, mohammed [new] 

Moussaoui is the president of the French Council on Muslim Faith. The CFCM was established in 

2003 by then Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy to be the ‘official’ representative body of the French 

Muslim community. Council members are directly elected by French Muslims. 

ITALY 

pallavicini, imam yahya sergio yahe 

Pallavicini is an important figure in the religious life of Italian Muslims as well as in European 

relations with the Muslim world. He is vice president of CO.RE.IS (Comunità Religiosa Islamica; 

the Islamic Religious Community), Italy, the chairman of the ISESCO Council for Education and 

Culture in the West, and an advisor for Islamic affairs to the Italian minister of interior. Pallavicini 

is also the imam of the al Wahid Mosque of Milan in Via Meda, where he organizes the training 

of imams in Italian. His father is Abd Al Wahid Pallavicini, the noted preacher and head of the 

Ahamadiyyah Idrissiyyah Shadhiliyyah brotherhood in Italy. 

KOSOVO 

trnava, his eminence sheikh naim 

Naim Trnava is the grand mufti of Kosovo. He is the leading religious figure in Kosovo, a new 

country, which emerged after an ethno-religious war that caused widespread loss of life and 

destruction. Trnava is a key figure in the attempts of the country’s Muslim population to overcome 

the horrors of war. He was instrumental in the creation of the Inter-Religious Council Organization 

for Interfaith Relations. 

PORTUGAL 

vakil, abdool magid abdool karim [new] 

Abdool Magid Abdool Karim Vakil is the founder and president of the Islamic Community 

(Comunidade Islâmica de Lisboa), the co-founder and president of the Abrahamic Forum of 

Portugal (Forum Abraâmico de Portugal) and a member of the Committee for Religious Freedom 

of the Ministry of Justice of Portugal. He is one of the leading economists from the region and has 

recieved several awards for his work from the Portuguese goverment. 

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RUSSIA 

nasibullahoglu, mufti cafer [new] 

Cafer Nasibullahoglu is the imam of the St Petersburg mosque. He is also the mufti of St Petersburg, 

which is home to approximately 700 thousand Muslims. His diverse congregation consists of 

Muslims of Tatar, Kazakh, Uzbek, Tajik, and Arab origin, among others, and the sermon at St 

Petersburg mosque is often conducted in Arabic, Tatar, and Russian. 

SWEDEN 

bin ouda, helena 

Bin Ouda is the chairwoman of the Muslim Council of Sweden, which is the main representative 

body for Muslims living in Sweden. The council is an umbrella organization representing a number 

of Islamic organizations in the country and currently has nine member organizations, with a sum 

total of about 100,000 members. 

SWITZERLAND 

maizar, hisham [new] 

Hisham Maizar is president of the Federation of Islamic Organizations of Switzerland. The 

FIOS was established as an umbrella organization for Islamic movements in Switzerland and has 

member organizations representing over 100 ethnic groups including Swiss, Albanians, Arabs, 

Bosnians, Turks, and Africans. Switzerland has as many as 400,000 Muslims and is considered to 

have some of the most anti-Islamic sentiments in Europe. 

TURKEY 

bardakoglu, ali 

Ali Bardakoglu is the president of the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Turkey (Diyanet). He is a 

moderate Islamic leader who supports interfaith initiatives and in 2005 appointed two women to 

the position of vice mufti. The Presidency of Religious Affairs has significant influence over the 

activities of religious associations and places of worship in the country. He is former professor of 

Islamic law at the University of Marmara. 

çagrıcı, his eminence prof. dr mustafa 

Mustafa Çagrıcı is the mufti of Istanbul as well as a theology professor and is a respected figure 

among Turkish Muslims. He welcomed and prayed with Pope Benedict XVI in the Blue Mosque 

in 2006. 


ahsan, dr manazir 

Ahsan is the director general of the Islamic Foundation, Leicester. The Islamic Foundation is one 

of the main centers working for integration and understanding of the British Muslim population. 

Although the center has occasionally been referred to as extremist, it does accurately reflect the 

diversity of the British Muslim community. 

bari, dr muhammad abdul [new] 

Bari is the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, the largest Islamic umbrella 

organization in the United Kingdom. The MCB has over 500 national, regional and local affiliate 

organisations and strives to promote a full and participatory role for Muslims in public life. 

kazmi, nadeem [new] 

Nadeem Kazmi is the director for International Development of the Imam Al-Khoei Benevolent 

Foundation based in London. The foundation is notable for its humanitarian aid and for its 

community work in both the UK and the United States.


Oceania 

NEW ZEALAND 

ghani, dr anwar [new] 

Ghani is president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ). His work 

leading FIANZ has been considerable; building bridges with the government as well as with the 

broader New Zealand population and leaders of other faiths. 

kireka-whaanga 

Kireka-Whaanga is the leader of the Aotearoa Maori Muslim Association (AMMA) the main 

organization for New Zealand’s Maori Muslims. Islam is an increasingly important religion for 

the indigenous population of New Zealand, and is the fastest-growing religion amongst the Maori 

community. 

Caribbean 

JAMAICA 

muhammad, mustafa 

Muhammad is a spokesperson for the Muslim population of Jamaica and has been the president 

of the Islamic Council of Jamaica for the past 14 years. His work involves education and halal 

certification. He oversees the eleven mosques in Jamaica that are attended regularly by an estimated 

5,000 Muslims. 

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 

ali, imam yacoob 

Ali is the president of the largest and most influential Muslim organization in Trinidad and Tobago, 

the Anjuman Sunnat ul Jamaat Association (ASJA) which was founded in 1936. Ali’s organization 

runs numerous schools and focuses on the importance of education for Muslim youth. 


EL SALVADOR 

al salvadori, mustafa 

Mustafa Al Salvadori is the president of the Shi’a community in El Salvador. His work, besides 

that with his own community, has tended to involve education about Islam to the mainly Catholic 

population of El Salvador which has become, broadly speaking, fearful of Islam over the past 

decade. 

South America 

ARGENTINA 

hallar, muhammad yusuf 

Hallar is an active figure in Argentina involved in community development for Latino Muslims. 

He has conducted comprehensive research on Muslims in Latin America and holds a number 

of positions including secretary general of the Islamic Organization of Latin America and the 

director of the Office of Islamic Culture and is a member of the Expert Committee on Minority 

Rights for the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). 

BRAZIL 

othman, abdul-baqi sayed 

Othman is the director of Rio de Janeiro’s Charitable Society of Muslims (Sociedad de Beneficiente 

Muçulmana). He has represented Brazilian Muslims in many international conferences. Othamn 

is also a da’wa activist, and runs the IQRA publishing center in Brazil where he helps publish 

translations of various Islamic books. 

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ECUADOR 

suquillo, juan 

Suquillo is an imam and the director and co-founder of the Islamic Centre of Ecuador. He has 

received awards in recognition of his services to the nation, and has translated many books into 

Spanish. These have become very popular since the 9/11 attacks when non-Muslims became 

interested in learning about Islam. Suquillo’s books have become bestsellers since then. He is very 

well-respected, especially by South American Muslim scholars. 

North America 

CANADA 

delic, imam dr zijad 

Imam Delic is the National Executive Director of the Canadian Islamic Congress. The CIC is 

made up of 24 organizations plus 180 unaffiliated individuals; the CIC’s newsletter has 300,000 

subscribers worldwide. Imam Delic is a scholar who writes about how Muslims can integrate into 

Canadian society, and he has been a consultant to the Canadian government and various NGOs. 

Delic is the former imam of the British Columbia Muslim Association which represents 57,000 

Muslims living in BC. 

valiante, wahida [new] 

A social worker and therapist by profession, Wahida Valiante is a founding member, and currently, 

the president of the Canadian Islamic Congress. She is a published author of books on theories 

of family therapy and community issues. She is an outspoken advocate of the rights of Canadian 

Muslims and also serves as the chair of the Islamic History Month in Canada. 

UNITED STATES 

ali, imam mohammad shamsi 

Imam Mohammad Shamsi Ali is the imam of three New York City mosques, including the 96th 

Street Mosque; the city’s largest mosque, and is the chairman of the Muslim Day Parade. He works 

with Muslims from many ethnic backgrounds and is very active in interfaith efforts throughout 

New York City. Since September 11, 2001, New York’s Muslim population has been under close 

scrutiny, and interfaith activities have been both high-profile, and well-supported, giving religious 

leaders in the city a globally significant role in defusing tensions between religions. 

el erian, dr mohamed 

Dr el Erian is the CEO and CIO of PIMCO—one of the world’s largest asset management 

companies. Previously, he served as the investment manager of Harvard University’s endowment 

fund, and deputy director of the International Monetary Fund. He is the bestselling author of a 

number of books on international economics and finance. Dr Mohamed El-Erain is the world’s 

largest bond investor with over $1 trillion of assets under management as of 2010. 

ghazi, drs abidullah and tasneema 

Dr Abidullah Ghazi, a prominent writer, speaker and poet is co-founder of the IQRA’ International 

Educational Foundation with his wife Dr Tasneema Ghazi. IQRA’ is a non-profit organization 

that creates Islamic studies textbooks and educational materials especially for children. The 

institution has produced a complete system of Islamic education for part and full time schools 

and a comprehensive madrasah integrated program for the Singapore madrasah system. IQRA’s 

programs and educational materials are used in the United States, and worldwide. 

magid, imam mohamed 

Imam Magid is the executive director and imam at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society Center 

in Virginia. He is an advocate for youth and women, is the vice president of ISNA, and serves 

on the FBI’s Muslim, Sikh, and Arab Advisory Committee. Imam Magid was among the ten 

‘Washingtonians of the year’ in 2010 who were awarded the Washingtonian Magazine’s award for 

outstanding leadership, in particular for his efforts toward interfaith bridge-building.

LINEAGE 


IRAQ 

al sadr, sheikh muqtada 

Al Sadr is the son of the late Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammad Sadiq al Sadr, and an 

influential Shi’a political leader. He has gained prominence since the death of Saddam Hussein and 

created the Mahdi Army in 2003, an armed insurgency movement that has formed its own courts 

and system of law enforcement. Al Sadr promotes a Shi’a-controlled government and along with 

Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani he is one of the two most important Shi’a leaders in Iraq. Although there 

are more qualified Shi’a scholars, Sadr’s social and political role make him extremely important. 

JORDAN 

his royal highness prince el hassan bin talal 

HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal is an eminent thinker on development and Islam, and has been 

recognized around the globe for his work, winning a number of awards for his interfaith activities. 

In addition to his noble lineage and to his being the brother of HM the late King Hussein of Jordan, 

Oxford-educated Prince El Hassan has been one of the leading intellectuals of the Arab world for 

decades, and one of the pioneers of interfaith dialogue. Among his achievements are: founding the 

Arab Thought Forum (1981); founding the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies (1994); and being 

President Emeritus of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (since 2006). 

SUDAN 

al mahdi, his excellency imam sayyed al sadiq 

Al Mahdi is the president of the moderate Islamic Umma Party, and the imam of the Sufi order Al 

Ansar. He was prime minister of Sudan until the government was overthrown and he was forced 

into exile. Al Mahdi has now returned and is working to restore peace and democracy in the Sudan. 

He derives a significant portion of his authority from the fact that he descends from Muhammad 

Ahmad, who claimed to be the Mahdi, a prophesied figure that many Muslims believe will return 

to revive the Islamic faith. 

SYRIA 

al yaqoubi, sheikh muhammad [new] 

Sheikh al Yaqoubi traces his lineage back to the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson al-Hasan. A 

widely revered scholar, al Yaqoubi’s influence has spread as far as Europe, where the Islamic Society 

of Stockholm elected him as the mufti of Sweden. 


SOUTH AFRICA 

as-sufi, sheikh abd al qadir [new] 

Sheikh as-Sufi is the founder of the Murabitun World Movement, and leader of the Darqawi- 

Shadhili-Qadiri Sufi order. He has taught leading contemporary Muslim scholars and is a prolific 

writer, with a broad readership of Muslims and non-Muslims from across the globe. He traces his 

scholarly lineage (a chain of authorized sheikhs) back to the Prophet Muhammad. 

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Lineage 

West Africa 

NIGERIA 

bayero, his royal highness amir al haji dr ado 

HRH Ado Bayero is the current Amir of Kano. The Amir is the traditional ruler of the Nigerian 

city of Kano, which is the capital of Kano State. Bayero is a popular leader amongst a wide variety 

of Nigerian Muslims. He is an influential Tijani sheikh, with lineage back to the prominent 

Fulani jihadist and religious reformer Osman Dan Fodio. HRH Ado Bayero is regarded as a wise 

counselor both at home and abroad because of his experience and ability to mediate between 

cultures, which makes him an important asset in promoting mutual understanding and resolving 

conflicts between different ethnic and religious groups. 

Europe 

ALBANIA 

bardhi, his eminence haxhi dede reshat 

Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi is the world leader of the Bektashi community, a seven-million- 

member-strong Sufi order based in Albania. He has been internationally recognized for his active 

role in interfaith cooperation and for encouraging peace in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 

North America 

UNITED STATES 

al ninowy, sheikh muhammad bin yahya al husayni [new] 

Sheikh al Ninowy is the imam of Masjid al-Madina in Atlanta, Georgia and is considered by 

many to be a charismatic and influential contemporary scholar. Al Ninowy traces his lineage back 

to al Imam Ibrahim al Mujab, whose lineage is traced to Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet 

Muhammad. He recently founded an interactive Islamic university, utilizing the latest technology 

to continue the tradition of Islamic scholarship.

PREACHERS 


EGYPT 

abdelkafy, sheikh dr omar 

Abdelkafy is an Egyptian preacher and da’wa practitioner. He is very well-respected by his peers as 

a Hafiz of the Qur’an (one who has memorized the entire Qur’an). He is also the director of the 

Qur’anic Studies Centre at the Dubai International Holy Qur’an Award. As well as working in his 

native Egypt, he travels abroad to help Muslim communities, working specifically with the Muslim 

community in Canada. 

IRAQ 

kubaisi, sheikh dr ahmed 

Kubaisi is a very popular Sunni cleric and preacher in Iraq, who preaches for the end of foreign 

occupation in Iraq and the institution of an Islamic state. To this end he is a spokesperson of the 

Sunni Ulema Council, an important association of Sunni Muslim scholars in Iraq. Kubaisi leads 

prayers that are televised worldwide from the state mosque of Abu Dhabi. 

SUDAN 

el bashir, his excellency dr issam 

El Bashir is the secretary general of the International Moderation Centre (IMC) in Kuwait. The 

IMC is an organization set up by the Higher Committee for the Promotion of Moderation of 

the Kuwaiti Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs; its aim is to promote Islamic moderation 

domestically and around the world. The center has worked with communities in Britain and 

Russia, among other places, to promote moderation among the extremist elements of their Muslim 

population. Locally it trains over 700 imams at a time with a focus on practices of moderation. 

al turabi, hassan abdallah 

Al Turabi is a Sudanese religious leader. He is widely regarded as a moderate and uses Islamic 

teachings to foster social development. Al Turabi is an advocate for women’s rights, and believes 

Muslim fundamentalists place prohibitions above social development. He has recently stated that 

Sudanese president Omar Al Bashir should give himself up to the International Criminal Court 

for the sake of Sudan. 

West Africa 

NIGERIA 

katsina, sheikh yakubu musa [new] 

Sheikh Yakubu Musa Katsina is a popular preacher in Nigeria. He is also the leader of the Izala 

revivalist sect in Katsina. The Izala, or Jama’at Izalatil Bidiawa Iqamatus Sunnah (Movement 

Against Negative Innovations and for Orthodoxy) is an activist Sufi brotherhood which calls for 

a return to the practices of the Prophet Muhammad and a true practice of Islam. Hailing from 

Katsina, the predominantly Muslim city in northern Nigeria, Sheikh Katsina is outspoken against 

corruption in the country. 

Asia 

INDIA 

naik, dr zakir 

Abdul-Karim Zakir Abdul-Karim Naik is an Indian public intellectual teaching about Islam. He 

hosts huge public events where he speaks on Islam, highlighting misconceptions and promoting 

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Preachers 

understanding about the faith. Naik also challenges leaders in other faiths to public debates that 

are broadcast around the world on Peace TV—a satellite channel that he helped to found. He is 

also the founder of the Islamic Research Foundation, which runs United Islamic Aid. 

INDONESIA 

shihab, quraish [new] 

Quraish Shihab is an Indonesian expert on Qur’anic exegesis who regularly preaches on national 

television. He is noted as a progressive scholar who teaches Qur’anic exegesis using actual context 

and simple language. He is an author of many Islamic books, including ‘Tafsir Al-Misbah’. He 

served as Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs in 1998 and also as chairman of the Indonesian 

Ulama Council since 1984. Shihab was also a director of State Islamic University, Syarif Hidayatullah 

1992-1998. 

MALAYSIA 

ibrahim, dato mashitah [new] 

Ibrahim is a prominent motivational preacher in Malaysia, and a lecturer in Universiti Islam 

Antarabangsa Malaysia, who is now active in politics. Sultan Pahang awarded her the honorary 

title ‘dato’ for her devotion to da’wa initiatives in 2000. Her views and opinions on contemporary 

Islamic issues receive wide attention. 

PAKISTAN 

shaikh, mohammad [new] 

Founder of the International Islamic Propagation Center (IIPC), a da’wa organization based in 

Karachi, Pakistan, Mohammad Shaikh is well-known as an influential public speaker. He has given 

numerous lectures on the Qur’an and also founded the English-language IIPC TV channel which 

broadcasts to viewers across the globe. He was ranked 4th most influential Muslim in the world on 

a public poll by Reuters in 2009. 

soomro, dr khalid mehmood [new] 

A member of the Pakistani senate, and Secretary General of Jamiat Ulema-Islam Sindh, Dr Khalid 

Mehmood Soomro is a popular preacher and teacher of Islam in Pakistan. Considered a prominent 

political leader, Soomro writes for various print media and has authored several books on Islam. 

Europe 

CZECH REPUBLIC 

omic, imam emir [new] 

Imam Emir Omic is the religious leader of the Muslim community in Prague which is made up 

of around 2000 members, mostly businessmen, immigrants, and students. The Czech Muslim 

community (approximately 10,000 people) is establishing itself in the country on the foundation 

of prayer, charity, and helping to inform the greater community about Islam. 

ITALY 

pallavicini, sheikh abd al wahid 

Sheikh Abd al Wahid Pallavicini is a noted preacher from Milan, Italy. After converting to Islam 

in 1951, he joined the Ahamadiyyah Idrissiyyah Shadhiliyyah Sufi order and is now head of the 

brotherhood in Italy. His son is Imam Yahya Sergio Yahe Pallavicini, the chairman of the ISESCO 

Council for Education and Culture in the West and imam of the Al Wahid Mosque of Milan.

Preachers 


ul haq, abu yusuf riyadh [new] 

Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq is a very influential speaker and leading Deobandi scholar in the UK. 

He has been markedly influential through his work with the Al Kawthar Academy in Leicester. Al 

Kawthar is a leading Islamic educational institution at the forefront of knowledge proliferation 

through diverse media forms. 

North America 

CANADA 

badawi, dr jamal 

Dr Jamal Badawi is an Egyptian-Canadian Muslim preacher and a highly sought-after speaker on 

Islam. He is a prolific writer, interfaith advocate, and activist and has authored numerous books 

on Islam and founded the Islamic Information Foundation in Canada. Badawi is a member of the 

executive council of the Fiqh Council of North America. 

UNITED STATES 

zarabozo, sheikh jamaal al-din m. [new] 

Sheikh Zarabozo is an American Salafi scholar who preaches internationally and is a prolific writer 

on Islamic education. Based in California, he teaches classes on Islam in person and virtually over 

the internet. Zarabozo is also the author of numerous books. 

129

WOMEN’S ISSUES 


ALGERIA 

kheddar, cherifa 

Cherifa Kheddar is the outspoken president and founder of the Djazairouna (Our Algeria) 

Association, which provides support to victims of the Algerian Civil War. She is the recipient of the 

2009 International Service Human Rights Award for the Defense of the Human Rights of Women. 

BAHRAIN 

al zayani, afnan [new] 

Afnan al Zayani is the CEO of the multi-million dollar company Al Zayani Commercial Services 

(AZCS). She is recognized internationally as one of the most powerful businesswomen of this era. 

She is responsible for the passing of personal status laws in Bahrain that ensure the protection of 

Muslim women’s rights in divorce and custody proceedings, something she oversaw during her 

leadership of the Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society (BBS). Subsequently al Zayani led the Middle 

East and North Africa Businesswomen’s Network and in 2010 she received the Leadership in Public 

Life Award from Vital Voices, a women’s empowerment organization. 

IRAN 

ebadi, shirin 

Shirin Ebadi is a lawyer who, in 2003, became the first Iranian to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She is 

the founder of Children’s Rights Support Association and has defended and supported the rights 

of children and women. Ebadi lectures about the human rights situation in Iran and espouses a 

liberal view of Islam appreciated by many Muslim feminists. 

rahnavard, zahra 

Rahnavard is an author and staunch critic of Ahmadinejad. She broke convention by campaigning 

on her husband Mir-Hossein Mousavi’s 2009 presidential campaign, becoming the first woman 

to do so in Iran. She served as political advisor under President Khatami, and was the first female 

chancellor of Alzahra University after the Islamic Revolution. 

JORDAN 

husseini, rana [new] 

An award-winning, internationally acclaimed journalist, Rana Husseini is credited for catalyzing 

the legal reform against honour killings in Jordan. She is a senior reporter with The Jordan Times, 

a human rights activist, and author of Murder in the Name of Honour, which exposes the practice 

of honour killings and advocates awareness of crimes against women. 

MOROCCO 

mernissi, fatema 

Mernissi is a Moroccan feminist writer and sociologist. She has done sociological research for 

UNESCO and the International Labour Organization as well as for the Moroccan authorities. 

Mernissi is currently a lecturer at the Mohammed V University of Rabat and a research scholar 

at the university’s Institute for Scientific Research in the same city. Mernissi’s work is significant 

in academic circles in the field of sociology and Middle Eastern Studies and is lauded by Muslim 

feminists. 

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Women’s Issues 

yassine, nadia 

Nadia Yassine is the head of the women’s branch of the most powerful Islamist movement in 

Morocco, Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane (Justice and Charity). She has traveled to Europe, promoting 

the mission of the movement to the Moroccan diaspora. She often serves as the movement’s 

spokesperson. 

PALESTINE 

el faqeeh, khouloud 

El Faqeeh is the first female judge in Palestine and one of the first female judges in the Islamic 

world for a sharia-based court. She graduated top of her class at Al Quds University and has her 

own private practice. 

QATAR 

al missned, her highness sheikha mozah bint nasser 

Sheikha Mozah is the wife of the ruler of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani. She is a 

public figure; advocating for women’s and children’s rights. Sheikha Mozah was the driving force 

behind Education City and Al Jazeera Children Channel. She holds several political positions, 

including chair of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development. 

SAUDI ARABIA 

al faiz, norah abdallah 

Norah al Faiz is the deputy minister for women’s education, becoming the first woman ever to 

serve in the Saudi Arabia Council of Ministers. She was formerly principal of a girls’ school and 

was director of the women’s section at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh. 


al haddad, dr ahmed [new] 

Dr Ahmed al Haddad is the grand mufti of Dubai and director of the Dubai Fatwa Administration 

with the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities. In late 2009 Dr al Haddad 

announced the start of a program designed to develop a cadre of fully-trained and certified female 

muftis who will be able to issue fatwas and be recognized as leading Islamic scholars alongside their 

male counterparts. This is considered to be the first deliberate attempt at including women at the 

highest levels of Islamic scholarship in Dubai, and presents the possibility of a female grand mufti 

in the future. 

YEMEN 

ali, nujood [new] 

Nujood Ali is the twelve-year-old author of the memoir ‘I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced,’ 

published in English for the first time in 2010. The autobiographical account of her forced 

marriage to a 30-year-old man and subsequent rape and abuse is just one step in her personal fight 

against the societal injustices associated with polygamy and child marriage. Her efforts to educate 

the world have garnered global attention and catalyzed efforts to address instances of forced child 

marriage in other countries. 

East Africa 

SOMALIA 

osman, hibaaq 

A Somali Muslim and women’s rights activist, Hibaaq Osman is Special Representative to Africa 

for V-Day—a movement against violence against women. She is the founder of Karama, a regional 

movement working to end violence against women in the Arab World. She is also the founding 

CEO of the Arab Women’s Fund and founder of the Center for the Strategic Initiatives of Women 

(CSIW).


West Africa 

MAURITANIA 

el mokhtar, aminetou 

El Mokhtar is a Nouakchott-based human rights lawyer and president of the L’Association des 

Femmes Chefs de Famille, which defends and supports women heads of households and their 

children. She is also chair of the African Democracy Forum, a network of organizations promoting 

democracy. 

NIGER 

mindaoudou, her excellency dodo aichatou 

Mindaoudou is the Nigerien Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and African Integrity. 

She has served the government since the mid-1990s, and is the former secretary general for the 

Network for Rural Law. She has written extensively about economic development and women’s 

issues. She is one of the most senior-level women politicians in West Africa. 

Asia 

AFGHANISTAN 

barakzai, shukria [new] 

Barakzai is the editor of Afghanistan’s first and only newspaper targeted at women, Aina-E Zan 

(Women’s Mirror). She is also a member of Afghanistan’s parliament. 

quraishi, colonel shafiqa [new] 

Quraishi is the Director of Gender, Human, and Child Rights in Afghanistan’s Ministry of the 

Interior. She has focused on increasing women’s employment in the government and created the 

Afghan National Gender Recruitment Strategy. 

BANGLADESH 

hossain, dr hameeda [new] 

Dr Hossain has published many books and articles relating to human rights and women’s issues 

in Bangladesh, in Islam, and worldwide. She is a founding member of Ain o Salish Kendra, a legal 

aid and human rights organization. 

INDONESIA 

alawiyaah, prof. dr tuti 

Alawiyaah was the Indonesian Minister of Women’s Empowerment in President Suharto’s last 

cabinet. Alawiyaah is currently the dean of one of Indonesia’s oldest and most prominent Islamic 

educational institutions, the As Syafi’iyah University. She is a prolific preacher and broadens her 

reach through her regular television appearances on almost all Indonesian television channels. 

muhammad, husein [new] 

Husein Muhammad is a commissioner of Indonesia’s National Commission on Violence Against 

Women. He is one of the founders of Fahmina Institute (in 1999), an NGO that advocates women’s 

issues using an Islamic framework and reinterpretation of Islamic classical literature, tafsir and 

fiqh. Muhammad led an anti-trafficking media campaign, which included the distribution of 

22,000 leaflets each week in mosques after Friday prayers, along with outreach to village health 

clinics. His scholarship highlights the Islamic perspective on victims’ rights, the rights of women 

and children, and the immorality of human trafficking, while emphasizing that victims should not 

be criminalized and that communities have a responsibility to combat trafficking. 

zulminarni, nani [new] 

Zulminarni is the National Coordinator of PEKKA, the Program for Women-Headed Households 

in Indonesia. The organization supports thousands of widows in rural communities throughout 

the country. 

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MALAYSIA 

anwar, zaynah 

Anwar is the founder and former executive director of Sisters in Islam, an organization committed 

to gender issues and increasing respect for women. She is also a journalist who has contributed to 

the New Straits Times and the Star, the country’s two main newspapers, and has written a book 

about Islam in Malaysia. 

NEPAL 

siddiqui, muhammadi [new] 

Mohammadi Siddiqui is a pioneer female Muslim politician, a social worker, and a human rights 

activist. She established the Fatima Foundation in 2003 to ensure Muslim women’s rights on two 

related fronts: the personal daily struggle of women against discrimination, and the social and 

legal practices that influence women’s independence and access to basic rights. The foundation 

organizes Muslim women’s groups and works with religious scholars and women leaders to 

educate women and raise awareness of their rights in order to advocate for the practice of ‘actual’ 

Islamic law and ensure social justice for women. The foundation also publishes books and the 

Qur’an in the local language; it also provides services to the victims of domestic violence. 

PAKISTAN 

zafar, roshaneh [new] 

An economist by training, Roshaneh Zafar is a social entrepreneur and founder of the Kashf 

Foundation, the third-largest microfinance institution in Pakistan, which specializes in offering 

financial services to women and their families to facilitate their economic independence and selfreliance. 

The Kashf Foundation has disbursed over $200 million and has a national network of 152 

branches. 

PHILIPPINES 

busran lao, yasmin [new] 

Yasmin Busran Lao is a prominent women’s activist and peace advocate who is currently running 

as a senatorial candidate with the Liberal Party for the May 2010 election. The US government 

conferred the Ninoy Aquino Public Service Award on Busran Lao for her work in uplifting the plight 

of the marginalized. She has co-founded various women’s rights and development organizations. 

rasul, santanina tillah [new] 

The most recent Filipina Muslim woman elected to the Philippine Senate, former Senator Santanina 

Tillah Rasul is noted for her work toward gender equality, improved literacy, and Muslim affairs 

in the Philippines. She has exercised her influence in the senate to open up the Philippine Military 

Academy to women, among other initiatives aimed at women’s rights. 

SRI LANKA 

ismail, jezima [new] 

The founder of the Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum (MWRAF), Jezima Ismail 

has been an educator for over three decades. She serves on various international committees on 

women’s rights and is the recipient of various awards in recognition of her work. 

Europe 

AUSTRIA 

dirie, waris 

Dirie is a Somali-Austrian women’s rights activist and former international supermodel. She was 

appointed UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), 

and founded several organizations, including the Waris Dirie Foundation, to raise awareness about 

FGM. Dirie underwent FGM as a child and seeks to build awareness around the fact that Islam 

does not require the practice. She is the author of several bestselling books.



janmohamed, shelina zahra 

Shelina Zahra Janmohamed is a British writer and commentator who gained web-based acclaim 

for her blog ‘spirit21’. She has recently become increasingly influential in British media as an author 

and commentator on the issues of religion and gender. Her book Love in a Headscarf has been very 

popular among Muslims and has also played a great role in demystifying Muslim life to a non- 

Muslim audience by narrating a Muslim girl’s search for love. 

North America 

UNITED STATES 

al-hibri, dr azizah [new] 

Chairperson of Karamah Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, Dr al-Hibri Esq. leads 

a dynamic organization dedicated to the empowerment of Muslim women by focusing on the 

egalitarian message of gender-equity in the Qur’an. Al-Hibri is also a professor of law at the T.C. 

Williams School of Law, University of Richmond. 

kavakçi, prof. dr merve 

Merve Kavakçi is a lecturer on culture and international affairs at George Washington University. 

In 1999, she was barred from a position in the Turkish Parliament for refusing to remove her 

hijab. She is an important symbolic figure for the headscarf issue in Turkey and promotes Muslim 

women’s rights at events all over the world, criticizing Turkey’s anti-Islamic policies. Kavakçi is also 

a Hafizah of the Qur’an (one who has memorized the entire Qur’an). 

mogahed, dalia 

Dalia Mogahed is the executive director and a senior analyst at the Gallup Center for Muslim 

Studies and director of the Muslim-West Facts Initiative. She was appointed by President Obama 

to serve on the Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and is the 

first hijab-wearing Muslim woman to hold a White House position. Mogahed has also held high 

positions in the US-Muslim Engagement Project and is co-author of the book Who Speaks for 

Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think. 

135

YOUTH 


EGYPT 

hosni, mostafa 

Mostafa Hosni is a commerce student-turned televangelist who is increasingly influential for his 

innovative approach to preaching Islam on weekly programs with Saudi satellite channel, Iqraa. 

A proponent of moderate Islam, Hosni works at an international private school on character 

development and cultivating a positive religious identity with Egyptian youth. 

masoud, moez 

Founder of Al Tareeq Al Sah (The Right Way) Institute, Moez Masoud is a leading activist for 

Islamic education and a popular preacher trained in the Islamic sciences recognized for his global 

influence through media productions on television and on YouTube. 

SAUDI ARABIA 

al shugairi, ahmad 

Al Shugairi is a televangelist with a huge following around the world. He is at the forefront of a 

religious revivalist movement that is affecting young people across the Middle East. In addition to 

his work as a television host, al Shugairi is the founder of the youth-centric coffee shop, Andalus 

Cafe. With no formal Islamic training and an MBA, his popularity comes from repackaging a 

balanced understanding of Islam for his throngs of fans of all ages. 

West Africa 

GHANA 

abass, mohammed 

Mohammed Abass is the president and spokesperson of the Ghana Muslim Students Association 

(GMSA) for the Greater Accra Region. Ghana has a substantial Muslim population and an active 

and growing array of evangelist Christian churches, but has not been the victim of much interfaith 

tension. The GMSA has been noted for its promotion of community activism and successful 

attempts to engage with the demands of young Muslims, conducting social work and leadership 

training for its members and constituents. 

Asia 

AFGHANISTAN 

farid, andeisha [new] 

A young emerging leader in Afghanistan, Andeisha Farid founded the Afghan Child Education and 

Care Organization (AFCECO) at the age of 25. AFCECO provides housing, education, health care 

and vocational training through a network of orphanages around the country and in Pakistan. 

INDONESIA 

amalee, irfan [new] 

Irfan Amalee created the Peace Generation Program that trains peace agents, develops peace 

education modules, and promotes books door-to-door. It has since grown into a community of 

over 10,000 young people who have set up their own training and book-retail businesses from 

Aceh to Sulawesi. Amalee is also the youngest member of Mizan Publishers, where he established 

Pelangi Mizan, a Muslim children’s book publication. He was a recipient of the British Council’s 

2008 International Young Creative Entrepreneur Award. 

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Youth 

PHILIPPINES 

tomawis, samira gutoc [new] 

The Mindanao coordinator of the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN), Samira Gutoc 

is also convenor of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy. She is project manager of 

Mindanao Youth Speak and is very well-connected with the media industry and advocates for her 

causes on the web and through various organizations. 

SINGAPORE 

nassir, mohammed 

Mohammed Nassir is director of SimplyIslam.sg, a Singapore-based virtual portal for ‘a new way 

to learn’ Islam through courses with leading Islamic scholars. Nassir is credited for drawing the 

attention of international Muslim leaders to the Muslim community of Singapore and for his 

dedicated efforts in developing youth programs. 

Europe 


mamdani, mohammed 

Mohammed Mamdani is founderer and CEO of the Muslim Youth Helpline, a volunteer-based 

confidential helpline for young Muslims based in London, England that provides a network of 

community support and counseling services through a toll free phone line and interactive website. 

Oceania 

AUSTRALIA 

houli, bachar 

Bachar Houli, an up-and-coming athlete within the Australian Football League has become an 

inspiration to young Muslims as a devout and practicing Muslim who successfully negotiates his 

religious identity and commitment to the sport of Australian rules football. Houli regularly speaks 

about his faith to mainstream media outlets and was a 2008 nominee for the AFL Rising Star 

Award. 

North America 

UNITED STATES 

perez, hamza [new] 

Hamza Perez is a prominent American Muslim, whose story of conversion to Islam and 

transformation from drug-dealer to Muslim community activist is the subject of a 2009 

documentary, ‘New Muslim Cool.’ The film explores the challenges facing young American 

Muslims in a post 9/11 world and has been widely-screened to international audiences. 

webb, imam suhaib [new] 

Imam Suhaib Webb is a student at Al Azhar University in Egypt and has subsequently come to 

prominence as a young American preacher and activist from Oklahoma. He has a substantial 

following of Muslim youth who visit his website and attend his lectures in throngs due to his 

unique appeal and moderate approach to Islam.

PHILANTHROPY 


IRAQ 

al khoei, sayyed jawad 

Sayyed al Khoei is the secretary general of the London-based Al Khoei International Foundation, 

an international charity promoting the welfare of Shi’a communities throughout the world. He 

spends his time between the United Kingdom and his native Iraq. 

SAUDI ARABIA 

kreidie, dr samir 

Kreidie is managing director of the Rabya Trading & Agriculture Company. He is the founder 

of the Inma Foundation, which helps provide humanitarian support to impoverished people in 

Lebanon. He is also a director at Development Foundation International, an organization which 

strives to increase American participation in Lebanese humanitarian efforts. 

al madani, his excellency dr ahmad mohamed ali 

Al Madani is the president of the Islamic Development Bank, which aims to provide short and 

long-term solutions to poverty alleviation in the Muslim world. The Islamic Development Bank 

is the principal financing institution of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Previously, al 

Madani served as the deputy minister of education in Saudi Arabia, and as secretary general of the 

Muslim World League. 

al saud, his royal highness prince al waleed bin talal bin abdul aziz 

Prince al Waleed bin Talal is an entrepreneur and investor who has built up a fortune through real 

estate and the stock market. In early 2009 his net worth was close to $15 billion. His philanthropic 

clout comes from his position among the richest people in the world. Prince al Waleed contributed 

$20 million to found the Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding at Georgetown University, 

which remains one of the key institutions globally working on Christian-Muslim relations. 

KUWAIT 

al kharafi, nasser 

Nasser al Kharafi—one of the richest people in the world—is the president of Kharafi & Sons, one 

of the largest Middle Eastern companies with an estimated capital of $5 billion. He was awarded 

the Lifetime Achievement Award by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2005 for his philanthropic 

efforts and contributions to relief agencies. 

Asia 

INDIA 

qasmi, maulana badruddin ajmal [new] 

Maulana Badruddin Ajmal is a prominent businessman in India who runs the Ajmal Group of 

Companies, which sells attar perfume, oils and textiles. He is a proponent and member of various 

social service organizations and is also a scholar of Islam, having studied at the Darul Uloom 

Deoband. Qasmi is also a politician who founded the Assam United Democratic Front political 

party. He is noted for his contributions to charitable hospitals, orphanages, and educational 

institutions including a women’s science college. 

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Philanthropy 

North America 

UNITED STATES 

cheema, dr tariq h 

Dr Cheema is the founder of the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists, a Chicago-based 

organization seeking to promote effective and accountable giving. The organization is the premier 

community of Muslim philanthropists in the world, with a number of high-level stakeholders. 

Cheema is a physician by profession and in 1998 he co-founded Doctors Worldwide, which 

provides medical relief in 18 countries. He was formerly the associate director of the Islamic 

Medical Association of North America. In early 2010 Dr Cheema announced a new global awareness 

initiative, ‘Empowerment Through Enlightenment’, aimed at achieving the UN Millennium 

Development goal of promoting gender equality.

DEVELOPMENT 


IRAQ 

odhaib, madeeha hasan 

Madeeha Hasan Odhaib is a member of the district council of Karada, in Baghdad, where she 

leads a community initiative to employ Iraqi women as seamstresses—alleviating poverty in the 

war-torn region. She is also a dedicated humanitarian who works with the Red Cross and other aid 

agencies on local relief efforts. 

LEBANON 

al sadr, rabab 

Rabab al Sadr is a social and human rights activist and a philanthropist. She is a dynamic thinker 

and is the president of the Imam al Sadr Foundation, one of the most successful humanitarian 

organizations working in Lebanon. The foundation’s projects focus on training, development and 

poverty alleviation across Lebanon. She is the sister of Imam Musa al Sadr. 

LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA 

gaddafi, his excellency saif al islam muammar 

Son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Saif al Islam Gaddafi is the president of the Libyan 

National Association for Drugs and Narcotics Control and founder of the Gaddafi International 

Charity and Development Foundation, which addresses humanitarian and relief efforts in Libya. 

Saif al Islam Gaddafi is noted for his ‘Isratine’ proposal for a one-state solution to the Israeli- 

Palestinian conflict. He is likely to be the next leader of Libya. 

PALESTINE 

abu awwad, khaled [new] 

Khaled Abu Awwad is the General Manager of the Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum 

and Chairman of Al-Tariq (The Palestinian Institution for Development and Democracy). 

abu elaish, dr izzeldin 

Dr Izzeldin Abu Elaish is a public health expert and Palestinian peace activist nominated for the 

2009 Nobel Peace Prize. He is an outspoken advocate of a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace. 

abu sarah, aziz [new] 

Aziz Abu Sarah is a Palestinian activist who is globally recognized for his work on peace and 

conflict resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He was formerly the director of International 

Relations for the Parents Circle - Families Forum, and co-hosted Radio All for Peace, a bilingual 

radio show on 107.2 FM in Jerusalem until 2008, when he relocated to the US where he is now 

the Director of Middle East Projects at George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, 

Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution. Sarah is also a lecturer and writes for major news outlets 

about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peace movements. 

QATAR 

her excellency sheikha aisha bint faleh bin nasser al thani 

Sheikha Aisha al Thani is the founder of the Doha Academy and board member of Reach Out to 

Asia, Qatar. She is also a member of the Qatar Supreme Education Council, the highest educational 

authority in Qatar. She is a modernist development thinker, who promotes a more pronounced 

and well-judged engagement with people of faith. Sheikha Aisha’s perspective resonates with the 

more concerted efforts by humanitarian organizations to look at the networks of people of faith as 

a solution to practical development problems. 

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Development 

her excellency sheikha mayssa bint hamad al thani 

Sheikha Mayssa is the chairperson of Reach Out To Asia, an NGO that is under the Qatar 

Foundation, that contributes to the development of societies in Asia, including the Middle East, 

with specific emphasis on improving the quality of both primary and secondary education, in 

addition to achieving some of the goals of UNESCO’s Education For All (EFA) and the United 

Nations Millennium Development goals (MDGs). 

SAUDI ARABIA 

bin laden, bakr 

Bakr bin Laden, half-brother of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, is the chairman of the Saudi 

Binladin Group. The Binladin Group is a sizeable multinational construction company with 

operations in Saudi Arabia and over 30 countries—making Bakr bin Laden an increasingly 

influential power broker in Saudi business capital. 

obaid, thoraya ahmed 

Obaid is the executive director of the United Nations Population Fund, the world’s largest multi- 

lateral fund for population assistance. Obaid is the first Saudi Arabian to head a UN agency and 

is also the chair of the principle inter-agency organization for coordinating management matters 

within the UN. She has underlined religion and culture as important aspects for the agency’s 

development work. 

SUDAN 

ibrahim, dr mohamed ‘mo’ 

Mohamed Ibrahim—more commonly known as Mo Ibrahim—is a Sudanese-born entrepreneur, 

currently based in the UK. He became successful as a businessman in the telecommunications 

industry, founding one of Africa’s biggest cellular phone companies, Celtel. He has recently come 

to prominence for his idea of a Prize for Achievement in African Leadership—which awards the 

recipient a $5 million initial payment, plus $200,000 a year for life. The Prize was conceived as 

a way to curb corruption by African leaders, who often resort to corruption to obtain financial 

security when they leave office, and to promote good governance. The prize is believed to be the 

world’s largest, surpassing the $1.3 million Nobel Peace Prize. 


her royal highness princess haya bint al hussein 

HRH Princess Haya bint al Hussein of Jordan is married to H.H. Amir Sheikh Mohammed bin 

Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler 

of Dubai. Princess Haya is recognized for her efforts in developing initiatives in humanitarianism, 

sports, health, science, culture and business, as well as advancing the Millennium Development 

Goals toward the alleviation of hunger and poverty. 

al abbar, mohammed bin ali 

Al Abbar is a member of the Executive Board of the Government of Dubai and the director of the 

Department of Economic Development. Under his leadership Dubai has been one of the fastestgrowing 

economies in the world. He has been successful in increasing the financial regulations 

requiring transparency; making Dubai a more attractive place to invest and do business in. He 

is one of the main assistants of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice 

President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and ruler of Dubai. 

YEMEN 

baobaid, mohammad 

Baobaid is a Muslim activist working on domestic violence at the University of Sana’a. He advocates 

for men to combat domestic violence and be part of the solution to the mistreatment of women in 

Yemen. Baobaid is also a project coordinator of the Muslim Family Safety Project, an initiative to 

help victims of violence in the Muslim community in Ontario.

Development 


SOUTH AFRICA 

patel, ebrahim 

Patel is the current minister for economic development of South Africa and a former spokesperson 

for COSATU (the umbrella organization for South African trade unions). He is important because 

South Africa’s booming economy is paradoxically leaving behind much of the population; this 

is because of both the HIV/AIDS situation and also the fact that South Africa has one of the 

highest unemployment rates in the world due to mass migration caused by the unstable situation 

in Zimbabwe. 

sooliman, dr imtiaz ismail 

Sooliman is the founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation. It is the largest disaster relief 

organization of African origin on the African continent. His organization has delivered over $37 

million in aid to 25 countries around the world. The organization has also designed and developed 

the world’s first and largest containerized mobile hospital, which has been deployed in Bosnia. It 

also runs 24 development projects in South Africa and Malawi. 

Middle Africa 

ANGOLA 

drame, famar 

Drame is founder and vice president of the Associacao Islamica de Desenvolvimento de Angola. 

It is the first and the only Islamic organization in a country of 13 million people and the only 

Islamic organization recognized and authorized by the government of the Republic of Angola. It 

is charged with the responsibility to build a mosque with a school attached to it to teach Islamic 

knowledge, Arabic and Portuguese. 

East Africa 

BURUNDI 

nkunduwiga, haruna 

Nkunduwiga is the secretary general of the Muslim Community of Burundi. He has been working 

recently to battle the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Burundi with other faith leaders to raise awareness, 

asking people to ‘stay clean’. HIV/AIDS is a serious problem in Burundi, affecting close to 20 

percent of the urban population and near to 10 percent of the rural population. 

KENYA 

khalifa, sheikh mohammed 

Khalifa is the organizing secretary of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, he is also the 

head of the as yet unregistered Islamic Party of Kenya. Relations between the Muslim population of 

Kenya and the broader society, especially the government, have frayed recently with the instances 

of the demonizing of Muslims as terrorists. There is widespread displeasure among the coastal 

Muslim population with the national government. 

MALAWI 

chabulika, sheikh dinala 

Chabulika is the Islamic Information Bureau’s national coordinator. He is known as an Islamic 

rights activist and has taken it upon himself to present the need to address social issues as religious 

duties. Chabulika works on health issues, exploitation, and has built bridges with non-Muslims in 

Malawi. He has also fought against the forced teaching of religious texts to school children. 

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Development 

MOZAMBIQUE 

cheba, sheikh muhamade aboulai 

Cheba is the provincial director of 139 registered madrasahs (Islamic schools), where pupils start 

learning about HIV/AIDS as early as six years of age. He raises awareness that the disease is not a 

divine punishment, and sees mosques as the perfect place for the dissemination of such knowledge. 

HIV/AIDS affects roughly 15 percent of the adult population of Mozambique. 

SOMALIA 

elmi, asha haji 

Asha Haji Elmi is a peace activist in Somalia who in 2008 won the Right Livelihood Award 

(known as the alternative Nobel Prize). She is an activist for women’s rights and formed the Six 

Clan movement when women were excluded from the peace process in Somalia that involved 

the five traditional clans. Elmi is also the founder of Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC) 

and campaigns internationally against female genital mutilation in Somalia and in other areas of 

Africa. 

West Africa 

BURKINA FASO 

aboubakary, maiga 

Aboubakary is the secretary general of the Burkina Faso Islamic Organization for Population and 

Development. His organization promotes family-planning in mosques around the country. The 

tremendous growth rate in Burkina Faso has put great strain on the economy there, and threatens 

to sharpen the already serious problem of poverty. 

COTE D’IVOIRE (IVORY COAST) 

abdoulaziz, sheikh sarba 

Abdoulaziz is the leader of the Association Soulatine Pour Les Actions De Bienfaisance. He works 

in Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso on the development of the Muslim community, and the fair 

treatment of Muslims. He has been active at major international conferences trying to deal with 

the problem of Islamophobia. 

NIGERIA 

ashafa, imam muhammad 

Ashafa is the co-director of the Muslim-Christian Interfaith Mediation Centre in the city of 

Kaduna, Northern Nigeria—leading task forces to resolve conflicts across the country. He works 

with Christian Pastor James Wuye to promote peace between religions. Both were injured and 

affected by inter-religious violence. Pastor Wuye and Imam Ashafa have gained a wide audience 

and mass interest in their particular story through speaking on the issue around the world. 

Asia 

AFGHANISTAN 

sarabi, her excellency dr habiba 

Habiba Sarabi became the first female governor in Afghanistan in 2005. She is a hematologist by 

profession and encourages environmental reform. In 2008, she was honoured by Time Magazine 

for her help in establishing Afghanistan’s first national park, Band-e Amir. 

AZERBAIJAN 

bayramov, vugar [new] 

Vugar Bayramov is a leading economist and in 2009 was nominated for Person of the Year, 

according to a public survey by local media network, Media FM. He is the chairman of a top

Development 

economic think tank in Azerbaijan, the Center for Economic and Social Development. He is also 

an instructor of economics and finance at Azerbaijan State Economic University. His public policy 

research has been utilized by the government to address anti-crisis programs for development and 

his papers and books are available in 25 languages across the globe. 

BANGLADESH 

abed, fazle hasan [new] 

Abed is the founder and chairperson of BRAC, one of the world’s largest non-government 

development organizations. This organization is known internationally for its focus on poverty 

eradication and relief. 

yunus, mohammad 

Mohammad Yunus is the founder of the Grameen Bank. He developed the concept of microcredit 

for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. The bank is sharia-based but not shariacompliant; 

it is pro-poor but takes interest. His efforts to create economic and social development 

and to help the impoverished escape poverty by providing loans on terms suitable to them and 

by teaching them a few sound financial principles have been recognized by many international 

organizations including the King Hussein Foundation, Jordan and UNESCO. 

MALAYSIA 

kader, mohideen abdul 

Kader is vice president of the Consumers’ Association of Penang, which works to secure the rights 

of every person to basic needs, a clean and safe environment, and the development of indigenous 

culture and knowledge. He is also a board member of Citizens International, an NGO working on 

international political issues. 

PAKISTAN 

chaudry, chief justice iftikhar m 

Chaudry is the current chief justice of Pakistan. He was the former president of the Supreme Court 

Bar Association of Pakistan, and a key leader of the Lawyers’ Movement. The movement started 

when Chaudry was suspended by President General Musharraf in March 2007, for refusing to 

resign from his position. 

edhi, abdul sattar 

Abdul Sattar Edhi is the founder of the Edhi Foundation; the largest and most organized social 

welfare system in Pakistan. For over 50 years, Edhi has devoted his time and resources to help 

the less fortunate by providing a range of services including a 24-hour emergency service across 

the country through 300 ‘Edhi centers’, which provide free burial of unclaimed dead bodies. He 

also funds free hospitals and dispensaries, rehabilitation for drug addicts, shelter for the destitute, 

orphans and handicapped persons, and national and international relief efforts. 

PHILIPPINES 

abubakar, ismael 

Abubakar is the former speaker of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s regional 

legislative assembly. He is now concentrating on business and interfaith dialogue, convening the 

Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy. He is from the predominantly Muslim Sama tribe, 

which garners him a significant amount of respect in dealing with the Muslim militants. 

rasul-bernardo, amina 

Rasul-Bernando is a distinguished peace and human rights advocate in Asia. She is the director 

of the Philippine Council on Islam and Democracy (PCID). She is the recipient of the Muslim 

Democrat of the Year Award from the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy for her longterm 

advocacy for democracy and peace in the Muslim Mindanao region. Rasul-Bernando is also 

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Development 

a founding member of a microfinancing organization aimed at Muslim and indigenous women— 

the Muslim Professional and Business Women’s Association of the Philippines. As a founding 

member of the Magbassa Kita Foundation, she was responsible for raising $2 million to fund the 

foundation’s program for literacy in the Muslim and indigenous communities. 

THAILAND 

sabur, m abdus 

Sabur is the secretary general and co-founder of the Asian Resource Foundation and the Asian 

Muslim Action Network. He is also co-director of the School of Peace Studies and Conflict 

Transformation in Bangkok. In the nineties Sabur served as coordinator of the Asian Cultural 

Forum on Development (ACFOD). He has edited a number of publications on peace and 

dialogue in Southeast Asia including Understanding Human Rights: Perspectives from South 

Asia, Interfaith Conference on the Culture of Peace, Globalization and Asian Perspectives for an 

Alternative Development and Towards Peace in Multi-Ethnic Asia. 

Europe 

BELARUS 

kanapatsky, ibragim 

Kanapatsky is the deputy chairman of the Islamic Association of Belarus. The Islamic Association 

is currently developing the infrastructure for Muslim communities in Belarus, building a mosque 

in Minsk, as well as renovating the ancient mosque in Smilovichi and the Muslim cemeteries that 

exist throughout the country. 

BOSNIA 

mahmutcehajic, his excellency prof. dr rusmir 

Mahmutcehajic is the president of the International Forum Bosnia, and a former vice president 

of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has been incredibly important in efforts to heal the ethnic, religious 

and social divisions that happened as a result of the Bosnian War in the mid-1990s. His projects 

are some of the most successful at producing real healing between communities. He works in his 

hometown of Stolac, which is one of the most deeply divided towns in Bosnia. 

BULGARIA 

hadzhi, his eminence mustafa alish 

Hadzhi is Bulgaria’s chief mufti. Bulgaria has recently been referred to as ‘Istanbulgaria’ because of 

the importance of Turkish-Bulgarian relations. Hadzhi is important as the leader of the Muslim 

community in a predominantly Christian state with a large influx of Muslims. Bulgaria’s mufti, 

Mustafa Alish Hadzhi, has recently been in the news because of a decision to prevent the building 

of a new mosque; he is taking the case to the EU. 

FINLAND 

ismail, atik 

Ismail is a famous former professional footballer and a Tatar community leader in the city of 

Kuopio, Finland. He regularly speaks on television to explain the indigenous brand of Islam of 

his Tatar community, and debate exponents of more radical interpretations of Islam. He is wellreceived 

by the Finnish public who can identify with him. 

ITALY 

qaddorah, jamal [new] 

Qaddorah is a representative of Italy’s largest trade union CGIL. In 2010, he helped to organize the 

‘A Day Without Us’ immigrant rally across Italy. The strike drew well over 20,000 participants and 

helped to highlight the important role that immigrants play in the Italian economy. A significant 

portion of immigrants come to Italy from countries such as Nigeria, Morocco, and Bangladesh 

and make up about 8 percent of the labour force there.

Development 


azmi, dr waqar 

Dr Waqar Azmi OBE founded the British Federation of Racial Equality Councils and is the former 

chief diversity adviser at the Cabinet Office and is currently an EU Ambassador of Intercultural 

Dialogue. In 2001 he became the youngest person from an ethnic minority to have a senior 

executive role in the private sector, as chairman of Waterhouse Consulting Group. In 2002 Azmi 

received an OBE, Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for his work. 

al banna, dr hany 

Al Banna is the co-founder and president of Islamic Relief, the largest Western-based international 

Muslim relief and development NGO. Established in 1983, the organization provides assistance in 

over 30 countries worldwide. Queen Elizabeth honoured al Banna’s work, giving him an OBE for 

his services to the community. 

boga, nizar [new] 

Nizar Boga is one of the trustees and directors of The Foundation Training Company, which 

offers prison-based resettlement programs and other community services. He is a Justice of the 

Peace, member of the Magistrates Association, a fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health and is 

distinguished for his work with various Muslim charity organizations and social service programs. 

He also serves as an imam at Broadmoor Hospital and Pentonville Prison. 

Oceania 

AUSTRALIA 

el masri, hazem 

Hazem el Masri is a former professional rugby league footballer for the Bulldogs club. A devout 

Muslim, Masri is a respected figure in his community for his social work with young people. 


MEXICO 

weston, omar 

Weston is a British convert and the head of the Islamic Mexican Cultural Center. He is a founding 

member of Organizacion Islamica Para America Latina y el Caribe, the Caribbean Muslim Forum, 

and Campañia Libertad Religiosa y Derechos de Expression, an active group that focuses on 

religious tolerance and freedom of religious practices. Weston is the director of Dar as Salam 

Centre Mexico, Centro Cultural Islamico de Mexico, and Viva Halal which assesses and certifies 

Mexican companies. 

South America 

GUYANA 

khan, faizul 

Faizul Khan has been credited with founding an Islamic school in Guyana at the age of 17 and has 

played a strategic role in developing Muslim institutions both locally and abroad—particularly in 

the US, where he is chapter member of the Islamic Society of North America. 

North America 

CANADA 

alshareef, muhammad [new] 

Muhammad Alshareef is the founder of Al Maghrib Institute, an innovative Islamic educational 

institution that offers university-level instruction of Islamic studies through seminars and retreats. 

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Development 

Alshareef is also the founder of DiscoverU project, an online community that offers resources and 

life coaches for those navigating financial, marital or emotional obstacles in life. He is a highlysought 

after teacher and public speaker. 

doueiri, dany 

Doueiri is the Arabic language program coordinator at California State University San Bernardino 

and co-founder of Islamicity, one of the world’s most popular websites on Islam. He is vice 

president of Human Assistance & Development International, which aims to promote educational 

development and relief efforts. 

UNITED STATES 

abdul-rashid, imam talib 

Imam Abdul-Rashid is the leader of the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood (MIB) in Harlem, New 

York. He is a counselor and advocate for Muslims living with HIV/AIDS and has worked with 

interfaith organizations and in many prisons as a Muslim chaplain. Abdul-Rashid also has his own 

monthly radio show. 

abdur-rauf, feisal 

Imam Feisal Abdur-Rauf is the founder of the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), 

a non-profit Islamic organization dedicated to building bridges between American Muslims and 

the broader public through educational and leadership initiatives such as the ‘Muslim Leaders of 

Tomorrow.’ He is also imam of New York’s Masjid Al Farah and author of What’s Right with Islam: 

A New Vision for Muslims and the West. He has been an associate professor of Islamic studies at 

St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn since spring 2009. 

butt, suhail [new] 

An architect and interior designer by profession, Suhail Butt has catalyzed educational development 

in Pakistan through volunteer work in Kashmir, and by subsequently founding Actual Size Global, 

a Chicago-based non-profit grassroots organization which raises funds for the creation of a 

sustainable educational system for children in impoverished areas of Pakistan. Butt raises funds 

through the sales of his photography and artwork in addition to fundraising events in the United 

States. 

clay, mohammad ali 

Muhammad Ali is a legendary three-time world heavyweight boxing champion who was crowned 

Sportsman of the Century in 1999 by ‘Sports Illustrated’. He was an extremely important figure 

in the civil rights movement in the United States, who used his talent and his wit to draw public 

awareness to the inequality in American society. He has remained a figure of great influence, 

commentating on injustices where he sees them. Now, in retirement, he travels throughout the 

world promoting social justice issues. 

idriss, shamil 

Shamil Idriss is the CEO of Soliya, a non-profit organization which uses the latest technology to 

build connections between young people and communities across the globe. He was formerly 

appointed deputy director of the Alliance of Civilizations by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan 

and then took charge as executive director of the Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund, which 

merged with Soliya in 2009. Prior to this he was director of the Search for Common Ground 

Organization where he facilitated the first public visit of Americans to Iran since 1979. 

khan, mansur 

Mansur is co-founder and Advisory Board member of the University Muslim Medical Association 

of Los Angeles; a full-time medical clinic which serves the city’s poorest residents, and has 

succeeded and grown despite the failure of many other similar charitable clinics.

Development 

latif, imam khalid 

Imam Khalid Latif is the chaplain and director of the Islamic center at New York University and the 

Muslim chaplain for the New York Police Department. He posts podcasts of his Friday sermons, 

which are regularly downloaded in 40-50 countries around the world, and works with many 

organizations within New York on interfaith relations. 

149

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY 

MEDICINE, LAW 


EGYPT 

el naggar, zaghloul 

El Naggar is an important Egyptian geologist and scholar who writes and speaks on science and 

the Qur’an. He is a fellow of the Islamic Academy of Sciences, and is well-respected by the global 

scientific community for his work on geology. He has published close to 200 academic scholarly 

articles and scientific studies. He also works for the Arab Development Institute. 

IRAN 

ansari, anousheh [new] 

Anousheh Ansari is a prominent Iranian businesswoman who is chairman, CEO, and co-founder of 

Prodea Systems, a private US-based company which offers technological solutions for businesses. 

She also co-sponsored the ‘Ansari X Prize’ with other members of the Ansari family which awarded 

$10 million to the first NGO that launched a reusable manned spacecraft, in 2004. However she 

garners most of her influence for being the first privately-funded woman, and the first Iranian, 

to explore space in 2006. She was lauded for leading a new era that financially advances scientific 

development while extending participation in space exploration to women and ‘space tourists.’ 

salehi, dr ali akbar [new] 

Dr Ali Akbar Salehi was appointed as head of the Atomic Energy Organization in Iran in July 2009, 

after the resignation of Gholam Reza Aghazadeh. Salehi is an academic and politician who has 

been involved in developing Iran’s nuclear energy program since prior to the Islamic revolution 

in 1979. He transitioned to leading the Atomic Energy Organization after serving as a permanent 

representative of Iran with the International Atomic Energy Agency. 

Asia 

INDIA 

kalam, his excellency dr a p j abdul 

An engineer by profession, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam is a former president of India. Before 

becoming president, Kalam was the Scientific Adviser to the Defense Minister and Secretary of 

India’s Defense Research and Development Organization from 1992 to 1999, during which he 

led the weaponization of strategic missile systems and nuclear testing in collaboration with the 

Department of Atomic Energy. This moved India from being a state with nuclear technology to 

a state with nuclear weapons. Kalam is also author of India 2020, which presents his vision of an 

Indian superpower by the year 2020. 

INDONESIA 

mumpuni, tri [new] 

Tri Mumpuni has spent 14 years on improving rural communities in Indonesia through rural 

electrification initiatives based on developments with micro-hydro electric power plants. She and 

her husband have promoted a system that combines heat and power as a basis for more sustainable 

sources of electricity. Her influential work, which offers economic incentives for implementation 

of the micro-hydro system has been applied in 65 villages across Indonesia and an additional 

village in the Philippines. 

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Science, Technology, Medicine, Law 

PAKISTAN 

khan, dr abdul qadeer [2009:46] 

Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, deemed the father of the ‘Islamic Bomb’, is the scientist who brought 

nuclear technology and nuclear weapons technology in the 1970s to Pakistan which was the first— 

and remains the only—Muslim country to have nuclear weapons. This has has made him a figure 

of great international interest. He has continued to use his financial success and stature to improve 

the quality of education in Pakistan through building educational institutions for metallurgical 

engineering. Khan also may have had more far-reaching political influence through his alleged 

attempts to sell nuclear technology to Libya, Iran, and North Korea. 

rahman, atta-ur 

Atta-Ur Rahman is the coordinator general of the OIC’s COMSTECH—the Standing Committee 

on Scientific and Technological Cooperation for the promotion and cooperation of science and 

technology activities among the OIC member states. Rahman is also former Pakistani Federal 

Minister for Science and Technology, chairman of the Higher Education Commission and 

president of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences. In 1999 he became the first Muslim scientist to win 

the UNESCO Science Prize. 

SRI LANKA 

marsoof, justice saleem [new] 

Justice Marsoof is a judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and former president of the Court of 

Appeals. He is an award-winning lecturer on law and development of legal studies and a prolific 

author with special interest in law reform in Sri Lanka. 

MALAYSIA 

shukor, dr sheikh muszaphar [new] 

Dr Shukor, an orthopedic surgeon by profession, became the first Malaysian in space when he was 

selected as one of two astronauts to be trained at Star City in Russia and subsequently selected to 

be the astronaut to further Malaysia’s Angkasawan program, which sent him to the International 

Space Station in 2007. He successfully conducted scientific experiments while in space. His launch 

also prompted the Malaysian National Fatwa Council to issue specific rulings regarding observance 

of religious obligations (praying and fasting) while in space. In 2010 Shukor was appointed as 

one of the ambassadors of Malaysia’s nationwide reading campaign to encourage literacy among 

children. 

THAILAND 

dahlan, prof. dr winai [new] 

Prof. Dr Winai Dahlan is the director of the Halal Science Center (HASCI) in Thailand, named 

the Best Innovation in the Halal Industry by Malaysia’s Halal Journal. HASCI promotes halal 

manufacturing and service through exhibitions and regional cooperation with Halal Centres in 

Indonesia and Malaysia. Dr Winai Dahlan is involved in scientific training and has written more 

than 30 original research articles published internationally and locally. He has also produced more 

than 2000 scientific and nutritional articles; writing weekly in 3 magazines since 1989. 

Europe 

FINLAND 

el fatatry, mohamed 

Mohamed el Fatatry, a Finland-based Egyptian entrepreneur, is chairman and CEO of a social 

networking website for Muslims, Muxlim.com. The online community, created in 2005, has been 

recognized as a growing private venture, empowering users with a Muslim-friendly environment 

for cross-cultural communication. Muxlim.com is also the recipient of Finland’s 2010 yearly 

Internationalization Award. The website boasts over 10 million visitors per month from over 190 

countries.


FRANCE 

guiderdoni, dr bruno abd al haqq [new] 

Dr Guiderdoni is an expert on Islam in France, and professionally serves as the director of the 

Observatory of Lyon. He has written extensively on galaxy formation and evolution, Islamic 

theology and mysticism. 


al hassani, dr salim [new] 

Dr Salim al Hassani is a former professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manchester 

Institute of Science and Technology, and the celebrated author of 1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage 

in Our World—a best-selling account of scientific and technological developments in Islamic 

history. Dr al Hassani also serves as the chairman and founder of the Foundation for Science, 

Technology and Civilisation which partners with the Abdul Latif Jameel Foundation, a British 

charity, to showcase the ‘1001 Inventions Global Touring Exhibition’ across the UK, the United 

States, and Turkey in 2010. 

khalid, fazlun 

Fazlun Khalid is the founder and director of the Birmingham-based Islamic Foundation for 

Ecology and Environmental Sciences. Khaled is an expert on Islamic environmentalism, and has 

written extensively on religion and conservation. In 1995 he facilitated a conference where all 

major faiths pledged to cooperate on environmental issues. 

qureshi, prof. khawar 

Khawar Qureshi QC is one of the world’s leading experts on public international law. He is the 

youngest advocate ever to have appeared before the International Court of Justice in 1993 for 

Bosnia’s genocide case against Yugoslavia. As a QC, a barrister appointed as counsel to the British 

Crown, Qureshi was one of four specially selected counselors to appear in hearings concerning 

alleged international terrorists. He was a legal adviser to the Bosnian government during the 

Dayton Peace Talks and remains the vice chairman of the International Committee of the Bar 

Council of England and Wales. 

North America 

CANADA 

kutty, faisal [new] 

A leading Canadian lawyer, Faisal Kutty is outspoken on issues of human rights, Islamic thought 

and anti-terror legislation. He is a founding member of the Canadian Muslim Civil Liberties 

Association and has written numerous academic articles, papers, reviews and essays on topics 

ranging from national security to religion and law. 

oz, dr mehmet 

Mehmet Oz is a cardiothoracic surgeon who became increasingly influential as a frequent guest 

on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He is professor of Cardiac Surgery at Columbia University, leads 

numerous organizations and charities, and has co-authored books on health and wellness which 

come up to approximately nine million in print. Oz is featured on Oprah Winfrey’s satellite radio 

channel and currently hosts his own talk show called ‘Dr Oz’ with an average 3.5 million viewers 

daily. He is a regular contributor to Esquire and Time magazine 

qazi, dr mahmood ahmad [new] 

Dr Qazi is a renaissance man of sorts, having founded the Chicago-based Kazi Publications and 

the Water-Hydrogen Energy Enterprises Limited (WHEEL, LLC). He has authored various Islamic 

books, is a successful chemical engineer, in addition to being imam to various communities 

in Pennsylvania, including the state correctional institutions. He is currently developing green 

hydrogen-fuel energy solutions. 

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zewail, dr ahmed 

Dr Ahmed Zewail is a Linus Pauling Professor at the California Institute of Technology who won 

the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research in femtochemistry. He has recently accepted 

President Obama’s invitation to serve on the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and 

Technology. In January 2010 Dr Zewail was appointed one of the first US science envoys to Islam. 

The group of scholars visited Muslim countries from North Africa to Southeast Asia to find 

opportunities to develop the fields of science and technology in the Muslim world.

ARTS AND CULTURE 


ALGERIA 

buhairi, muhammad ahmad 

Muhammad Buhairi is a prominent calligrapher distinguished in the Middle East, and globally, for 

his skills. He studied at the Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts in Turkey, where he received his 

ijaza (certification) in khat (script). He has been working at the Institute of Traditional Islamic Art 

& Architecture in Amman, Jordan. 

EGYPT 

abo auf, dr ezzat 

Abo Auf is president of the Cairo International Film Festival. A successful actor and co-host of the 

highly popular on-air talk show ‘Cairo Today’. Abo Auf is also an accomplished musician, having 

played with some of today’s most celebrated Egyptian musicians. 

al aswany, alaa [new] 

Alaa Al Aswany is considered Egypt’s biggest best-selling novelist and a powerful intellectual 

in current political reform movements in Egypt. A dentist by profession, Al Aswany came to 

prominence for his 2002 novel, ‘Imarat Ya‘qubian (The Yacoubian Building) which has since been 

translated into over 23 different languages. His second best-selling novel, ‘Chicago’ was published 

in 2007. Al Aswany is a prolific writer, with his opinions on social issues and politics featured in 

leading Egyptian media outlets. 

IRAN 

nazeri, shahram 

Shahram Nazeri is a world famous icon of classical Persian, folkloric Kurdish and Sufi music. 

Hailed as ‘Iran’s Pavarotti’ by the Christian Science Monitor, Nazeri has released over 40 recordings 

to date and has performed in major venues worldwide. 

JORDAN 

al baghdadi, abbas shakir al fattal 

Abbas Shakir al Fattal al Baghdadi is one of the world’s foremost exponents of Islamic calligraphy. 

He was born in 1951 in Baghdad and has had a distinguished career as a calligrapher and teacher 

of calligraphy. He adheres strictly to the rules of classical calligraphy and is adverse to ‘modern 

calligraphy’, especially when its practitioners do not master the art in its traditional form. He is 

well-known for the balance, clarity and readability of his works. 

al meheid, minwer 

Minwer al Meheid is director of the College of Traditional Arts and Sciences at Balqa University 

in Amman, Jordan, which trains students in traditional arts. The College’s influence is starting to 

show as wealthy Muslims and others from countries beyond Jordan have commissioned work from 

its craftsmen. Al Meheid has been prominent for leading the recreation of the famous Minbar of 

Salahuddin from old photographs and actual remains. In 2010 he was appointed as the director of 

the Royal Aal al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought. 

LEBANON 

assaf, roger 

Roger Assaf is a convert to Shi’ism. He is a prominent Lebanese director, actor and playwright. 

With his actress wife Hanane Hajj-Ali, he co-founded Al Hakawati (Storyteller) Theatre Company 

and the Shams Cultural Cooperative for Youth in Theatre and Culture, an organization providing 

underprivileged individuals with a forum for self-expression through drama. 

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Arts and Culture 

QATAR 

husain, maqbool fida (m.f.) [new] 

Maqbool Fida Husain is an eminent master painter who recently gave up his Indian citizenship due 

to a public outcry against his paintings which depict nude deities. He has been granted citizenship 

in Qatar where his artwork is on display at the Islamic museum in Doha, and where his latest work 

will be the focus of an exhibit themed ‘Form Follows Function—a tribute to the power of man 

versus machine.’ 

SYRIA 

taha, uthman [new] 

Uthman Taha is an internationally acclaimed Arabic calligrapher. After training with the world’s 

top calligraphers, Taha began working on producing copies of the Qur’an, or mushafs with the 

King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an. Of the copies he has worked on, over 200 

million have been distributed and are continually sought by students of the Qur’an and Muslims 

across the globe. 


SOUTH AFRICA 

amla, hashim 

Amla is a South African cricketer. In 2004 he became the first South African team player of Indian 

descent. As a devout Muslim, he has actively campaigned to remove all alcohol-promoting logos 

from merchandise and playing gear. 

bhika, zain 

Zain Bhika is a South African singer-songwriter and pioneer performer of nasheed songs. He is 

known for his collaborative efforts with other prominent Muslim entertainers including Yusuf 

Islam and Dawud Wharnsby Ali. Bhika also writes and directs plays written specifically for schools. 

West Africa 

MALI 

keita, salif 

Known as the ‘golden voice of Africa’, Salif Keita is an Afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. His 

West African music is combined with influences from Europe and the Americas. In 1977 Keita 

received a National Order Award from Guianese President Sékou Touré. His music is very popular 

in the Francophone world, and more broadly in Europe. Keita’s latest album, La Différence, was 

awarded Best World Music 2010 by the Victoires de la Musique. 

SENEGAL 

n’dour, youssou 

Youssou N’dour is a world famous Senegalese composer, singer, percussionist and UNICEF Goodwill 

Ambassador. In 2005, N’Dour received a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music 

Album for ‘Egypt’. As a cultural icon in Senegal, he is actively involved in social and political issues 

and is building his own television and radio stations to promote social issues and give Senegalese 

people better access to home grown arts. His latest campaign was a 2009 song release of ‘Wake 

Up (It’s Africa Calling)’ which called for open source health applications to be brought to Africa. 

Asia 

AZERBAIJAN 

qasimov, alim 

Alim Qasimov is an Azerbaijani musician and one of the most recognized singers of Islamic-folk


music in the world. In 1999, he was awarded the prestigious International IMC-UNESCO Music 

Prize. Qasimov has recorded nine albums, and performed in many concerts around the world. 

CHINA 

chengzhi, zhang 

Zhang Chengzhi is considered by many to be the most influential contemporary Muslim writer in 

China. His historical narrative History of the Soul, about the rise of the Jahriyya Sufi Tariqah in 

China’s northwest, was the second-most popular book in China in 1994. 

noor deen, haji (mi guang jiang) 

Haji Noor Deen is a globally recognized Chinese master and lecturer in Arabic calligraphy. In 1997 

he became the first Chinese Muslim to be awarded the Egyptian Certificate of Arabic Calligraphy 

and to be admitted as a member of the Association of Egyptian Calligraphy. He currently lectures 

on Arabic calligraphy at the Islamic College in Zhen Zhou, China and the Zaytuna Institute in 

California. 

yue, ma 

Ma Yue is a Chinese martial artist and national champion of Wushu. His Muslim Hui family’s 

association with marital arts goes back six generations. Yue is a two-time gold medalist in the 

National Chinese Traditional Wu Shu Championships and a graduate of the Wushu University of 

China. His current focus is on promoting the practice of Tai Ji. 

INDIA 

khan, shahrukh 

Named by Newsweek as one of the 50 most powerful people in 2008, Shahrukh Khan is the 

preeminent Indian Bollywood star, film producer and television host. Khan is the founder and 

owner of two production companies, Dreamz Unlimited and Red Chillies Entertainment. He 

campaigns for better relations between India’s Muslim and Hindu communities. His 2010 movie 

‘My Name is Khan’ was internationally acclaimed for its pertinent commentary on the relationship 

between Islam and the West after 9/11. 

rahman, allah rakha (a.r.) 

Rahman is a prolific composer, record producer, and musician for the Indian film industry. He is 

the first Indian to receive a Golden Globe Award and two Academy Awards for his soundtrack of 

‘Slumdog Millionaire’. For that soundtrack he also received two Grammy awards. He was named 

CNN-IBN Indian of the Year for 2009. In 2004, Rahman was appointed the Global Ambassador of 

The Stop TB Partnership, a World Health Organization project. 

INDONESIA 

rosa, helvy tiana 

Helvy Tiana Rosa is a prominent Indonesian writer and lecturer in literature at the State Univer- 

sity of Jakarta (UNJ). Rosa is a member of Majelis Sastra Asia Tenggara (the Southeast Asia Board 

of Literature) and often represents Indonesia in literary events at home and abroad. She also 

helped found the Pen Circle Forum (FLP) in 1997 with the goal of encouraging young writers. 

MALAYSIA 

raihan 

Raihan are a world famous Malaysian nasheed group with four members: Che Amran Idris, Abu 

Bakar Md Yatim, Amran Ibrahim and Zulfadli Bin Mustaza. Since their coming together in 1996, 

they have made 11 albums and received numerous awards in Malaysia. 

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PAKISTAN 

jamshed, junaid [new] 

A former pop icon, Junaid Jamshed left his career as a recording artist with the group ‘Vital Signs’ 

to join the ranks of Pakistan’s highly respected Qur’an reciters and nasheed singers. The departure 

from pop music was associated with his participation in the Tablighi Jamaat organization starting 

in 2004. He has since released best-selling albums of Islamic songs. 

parveen, abida [new] 

Abida Parveen is an internationally acclaimed vocalist, often referred to as the ‘Queen of Sufi 

mystic singing’. She is the only woman who has reached her level of influence in devotional music, 

specializing in traditional ghazals, often performing to stadium-size audiences across South Asia 

and globally. 

Europe 

FRANCE 

deghati, reza 

Reza Deghati, more commonly known simply as Reza, is an internationally acclaimed 

photojournalist who has reported from all over the world for National Geographic, Vanity Fair, 

the New York Times and other reputable publications. He is also the founder of Aina, a nonprofit 

humanitarian organization dedicated to civil society development through education, 

information, and communication initiatives. Deghati was the 2009 Recipient of the Lucie Award 

from the Lucie Foundation in New York. 

LATVIA 

uldis, berzins 

Berzins Uldis is a Latvian poet and translator. Uldis has been teaching Turkish at the Modern 

Languages Department of the University of Latvia since 2002 and is known for spending fifteen 

years on the first translation of the Qur’an in Latvian, published in 2009. 

NETHERLANDS 

benali, abdelkader 

Abdelkader Benali is a Moroccan-Dutch writer and journalist. For his second novel, De 

langverwachte (The long-awaited one), Benalis received the Libris Prize for Literature. Besides 

writing novels and theatrical plays, Benali publishes essays and reviews in various media. His latest 

novel is Hourglass (2010). 

el mouhandiz, rajae 

Rajae el Mouhandiz is a Dutch-Moroccan-Algerian poet, singer, composer and producer, and 

founder of the record label Truthseeker Records. After being the first Moroccan to study at a 

Dutch conservatory, el Mouhandiz left classical music to follow her own artistic path, seeking to 

incorporate her cultural roots. Her latest album Hand of Fatima (2009) features ‘Malcolm Lateef 

Shabazz’ and is an increasingly popular single about her meeting with the grandson of Malcolm X. 

TURKEY 

çelebi, hasan [new] 

Master Hasan Çelebi is an eminent Turkish calligrapher who is hailed for his classical Ottoman 

calligraphy style. His exhibitions have been featured globally and he is celebrated for his restoration 

of calligraphic panels in mosques around the world—from the Masjid al Nabawi in Medina to the 

Blue Mosque in Istanbul. 

yalçin, rabia 

Rabia Yalçin is a Turkish fashion designer. Her creations represent a synthesis of local and 

international cultures and are inspired by the opulence of her homeland’s Ottoman past. With 

her line Rabia Yalçin Haute Couture, Yalçin has a strong presence in the European fashion scene.



abdalla, khalid [new] 

Khalid Abdallah is a British actor acclaimed for his performances in the award-winning film 

‘United 93’ and the film adaptation of ‘The Kite Runner’ in which he played the lead role. He is an 

increasingly influential Muslim actor, most recently starring in the Universal Pictures production, 

‘Green Zone’ (2010). 

islam, yusuf 

Formerly known as Cat Stevens, Yusuf Islam is a globally influential British musician and 

singer-songwriter. In 1977, he converted to Islam and left the music industry for educational and 

philanthropic causes. His international fame and high-regard has made him probably the single 

most influential figure in the field of arts and culture in the Muslim world. In the past five years he 

has made a gradual return to music with his latest albums ‘An Other Cup’ and ‘Roadsinger’. Islam 

is a vocal opponent of terrorism and extremism and in 2004 was recognized with the Man of Peace 

award by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Committee. 

sanders, peter 

Sanders is a notable photographer and convert to Islam. He was granted exclusive privileges to 

photograph Hajj pilgrimage rituals in 1971, and subsequently has become an influential figure 

in photography as author of In the Shade of the Tree, A Visit to A Prophet, and other books that 

display his exploration of the Muslim world. 

yusuf, sami 

Sami Yusuf is a superstar in the Muslim music industry. He is an internationally popular British 

singer-songwriter whose music has revolutionized the nasheed industry. Yusuf’s music is mostly 

comprised of Islamic themes—about being a Muslim in today’s world. He is also known for his 

extensive involvement in charity work. His songs enjoy a broad appeal with all age groups in many 

parts of the Muslim world and in Europe and North America. 

South America 

GUYANA 

shah, ryhaan 

Ryhaan Shah is considered among the best contemporary writers in Guyana and the Caribbean, 

best known for her 2005 novel A Silent Life. Shah is also an active public figure as the president of 

the Guyanese Indian Heritage Association. 

North America 

CANADA 

nawaz, zarqa 

Zarqa Nawaz is a journalist and filmmaker who produced the award-winning Canadian sitcom 

‘Little Mosque on the Prairie’, a comedy about a Muslim family living in Saskatchewan which has 

run for 4 seasons and may be adopted by FOX as a series in the US. Nawaz owns a company called 

FUNdamentalist Films that produces films about Muslims living in North America. 

UNITED STATES 

mehdi, anisa [new] 

Currently a Fulbright Scholar in Amman, Jordan, Anisa Mehdi is an Emmy Award-winning 

journalist and filmmaker who is noted for her National Geographic documentary ‘Inside 

Mecca.’ Mehdi’s work has been featured on major media outlets. She is the founding president of 

Whetstone Productions, and continues to work on documentary film making in the Middle East, 

while focusing on religion and the arts. 

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mos def 

Mos Def—born Dante Terrell Smith—is a hip-hop artist who has recently become more popular 

for his acting career, which garnered him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. He is noted for 

his stance against the misinterpretation of the Qur’an. 

zakariya, mohamed 

An engineer by training, Mohamed Zakariya is now an award-winning Arabic calligrapher whose 

work is displayed all over the United States. In 2001, he designed the ‘Eid holiday stamp for the 

United States Postal Service and in 2002, he was featured in the PBS documentary ‘Muhammad: 

Legacy of a Prophet’.

QURAN RECITERS 


EGYPT 

tiblawi, sheikh mohammad 

Tiblawi is a popular Egyptian Qur’an reciter. He gained popularity in the Middle East after 

studying at Al Azhar—the second oldest university in the world, founded in 975 CE—and reciting 

the Qur’an on Egyptian television in 1956. Since then, Tiblawi has been widely recognized as a 

leading reciter of the Qur’an and has recited for royalty and at prominent international events. 

KUWAIT 

al afasy, sheikh mishary bin rashid 

Al Afasy is a globally influential reciter of the Holy Qur’an, and an imam at Masjid al Kabir in 

Kuwait. He is also a singer of Arabic language nasheed. He has gained international acclaim for his 

innovative use of technology to promote Islam through two satellite channels, a website (www. 

alafasy.com), and videos on YouTube. 

SAUDI ARABIA 

al ajmi, sheikh ahmed ali 

Al Ajmi is a Qur’an reciter from Khobar Province in Saudi Arabia. Prior to gaining prominence 

for his recitation style as an imam at mosques in Khobar and now in Jeddah, he studied Qur’anic 

interpretation in Saudi Arabia and subsequently in Pakistan. 

al ghamdi, sheikh sa’d ibn sa’id 

Al Ghamdi is a world famous reciter of the Qur’an. He has served as imam to Muslim communities 

across the globe and is currently the imam of Kanoo Mosque in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Al 

Ghamdi has studied Usul ad Din (fundamentals of religion) and isnad (chain of narration of 

Hadith) and is recognized as an influential Saudi theologian. 

al mu’ayqali, sheikh mahir bin hamad 

Al Mu’ayqali is an imam at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. He is an influential reciter of the Qur’an, 

which he memorized with distinguished scholars in Medina. Al Mu’ayqali left his career as a 

mathematics teacher to become a scholar in Mecca and is now a popular preacher and teacher of 

Qur’anic studies. 

al shatri, sheikh abu bakr 

Al Shatri is an imam in Jeddah, and a leading reciter of the Qur’an. Although he studied accounting, 

he has become increasingly influential for his recitation of the Qur’an at international Islamic 

events and particularly across the Middle East and in Saudi Arabia. 

al shuraim, sheikh abu ibrahim sa’ud ibn muhammad 

Al Shuraim is a leading reciter of the Qur’an known for his unique recitation style across the world. 

He formally studied Usul ad Din (fundamentals of religion) in Saudi Arabia, before becoming a 

teacher, and subsequently imam at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. 

al sudais, sheikh abdul rahman 

Al Sudais has international influence through his recitation of the Qur’an, which he memorized 

at age 12. Currently an imam at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, he has studied sharia at Riyadh 

University, Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, and Umm al Qura University. Al 

Sudais is also popular for his sermons and stance on peaceful conflict-resolution. 

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Quran Reciters 

Asia 

INDONESIA 

ulfah, hajjah maria 

Hajjah Maria Ulfah is an internationally acclaimed reciter of the Holy Qur’an and is the first 

woman to win an international Qur’an recitation competition. She has popularized the Egyptian 

style of recitation and serves as director of the women’s department of the Institute for Qur’an 

Study in Indonesia. 

Europe 

AUSTRIA 

podojak, hafiz senad [new] 

Hafiz Podojak was born in Bosnia and has won numerous awards for Qur’anic recitation. He 

is active in the community and was recently appointed to teach Islamic religious instruction in 

public schools. He is a highly distinguished member of Austria’s Muslim Community. 

CROATIA 

alili, hafiz aziz 

Alili is a Macedonian who was trained in Qur’anic recitation in Sarajevo. He is increasingly 

influential for his nasheed and more so for his distinct style of recitation. He is currently the imam 

of Medžlis Islamske Zajednice in Zagreb, Croatia. 

TURKEY [new] 

günesdogdu, mustafa özcan 

Mustafa Özcan Günesdogdu is an acclaimed Qur’an recitor of Turkish descent who is based in 

Germany. His participation in interational recitation competitions has made him one of the most 

popular recitors in the world. He has published a German-language translation of the Qur’an in 

an album released in 2003, is a member of a nasheed group which performs across Europe and has 

been a reciter and teacher of Qur’an for over 25 years.

MEDIA 


EGYPT 

abulmagd, his excellency prof. dr kamal 

Abulmagd is an important intellectual in Egypt and the wider Arab world, who holds significant 

influence over media relations and public diplomacy in the Middle East. Shortly after September 11, 

2001 Abulmagd was appointed the Commissioner Responsible for Dialogue Between Civilizations 

by the Arab League. He is noted as one of the most influential ‘new Islamist’ thinkers. He was 

previously Egypt’s information minister and is currently a professor of International law. 

howeidy, dr fahmy 

Howeidy is one of the leading columnists in the Arab world. He writes for the Egyptian daily Al 

Ahram, where he is the deputy editor-in-chief, however his articles are syndicated to seven other 

Arabic publications. Howeidy is influential both through his popularity and the fact that he has 

highlighted issues concerning Muslim communities outside the Arab world in groundbreaking 

work on Chinese, Bosnian, and Senegalese Muslims, among others. Muslims appreciate and 

respond well to Howeidy’s use of Islam as a frame of reference in his articles. 

schleifer, prof. dr suleiman abdallah 

Abdallah Schleifer is a Middle East expert who has covered the region for over 30 years. He has 

worked for NBC and many other international media outlets. A professor emeritus at the American 

University in Cairo, Schleifer is considered a bridge-builder between cultures. 

KUWAIT 

al mutawa, jassem 

Jassem al Mutawa is the president of Iqra satellite channel, an Islamic TV channel presenting 

programs on everyday life problems concerning spiritual, cultural, social and economic issues 

from a modern Islamic perspective. 

al mutawa, dr naif 

Naif al Mutawa is founder and CEO of Teshkeel Media Group and creator of the popular Islamicthemed 

comic series ‘The 99’. In addition to having authored multiple children’s books, al Mutawa 

holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has practiced in the field for many years. 

sweidan, sheikh dr tariq 

Tariq Sweidan is the CEO and owner of Gulf Innovation Group in Kuwait and the general manager 

of Al Resalah Satellite TV. An entrepreneur and a TV personality—his shows ranking among the 

highest in the Middle East—Sweidan is also prominent as a motivational speaker and author of 

books on Islam. 

PALESTINE 

khanfar, waddah 

Khanfar is the director general of the Al Jazeera network, a position he has held since 2006. He 

began his career as a war correspondent and has been instrumental in carving out Al Jazeera’s 

position as the most watched and most respected news network in the Middle East. The network 

has recently expanded into other markets with Al Jazeera English. Al Jazeera’s ethical decision 

to interview Israeli officials has been groundbreaking in promoting the idea that all perspectives 

should be broadcast on an Arabic-language news program. 

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Media 

kuttab, daoud 

Kuttab is an internationally recognized Palestinian media activist and journalist. He founded the 

Institute of Modern Media at Al Quds University, established the Jerusalem Film Institute and 

helped in establishing the Arabic Media Internet Network (AMIN). In 2007, Kuttab established 

AmmanNet.net, the Arab world’s first Internet radio station. 

QATAR 

philips, dr abu ameenah bilal 

A notable convert and Islamic scholar, Philips is founder of the virtual educational institution 

Islamic Online University and Discover Islam, an Islamic center based in Dubai. He reaches mass 

Muslim audiences through his television appearances on India-based satellite channel, Peace TV. 


al rostamani, dr amina 

Al Rostamani is CEO of TECOM Investments Corporation, the investment wing of the Dubai 

Technology and Media Free Trade Zone since July of 2005. Al Rostamani obtained the rank of 80 

in the ‘Power 100: The World’s Most Influential Arabs’ in 2009. 


SOUTH AFRICA 

haffajee, ferial 

Haffajee is editor of the Mail and Guardian; South Africa’s premier investigative newspaper. She 

was the first non-white woman, and first Muslim woman to become the editor of a major daily 

newspaper in South Africa. 

Morton, Shafiq 

Shafiq Morton is an award-winning journalist, photographer and presenter of the current affairs 

program ‘Drivertime Show’ on the Muslim radio station Voice of the Cape. 

Asia 

AFGHANISTAN 

mohseni, saad [new] 

Mohseni is a successful businessman and the founder and head of the Moby Group, Afghanistan’s 

largest media company which has interests in television, radio, print, production, online news 

services, directories, IT&T, and retail. 

samandar, rahimullah [new] 

Samandar is the head of Afghanistan’s Independent Journalists’ Association, which serves an 

important role in critiquing the freedom and limits of the press in Afghanistan. 

INDONESIA 

bagir, haidar 

Haidar Bagir is the founder and director of Mizan, a large publishing company that significantly 

shapes the development of Islamic discourse in Indonesia. Bagir has founded and lectured-in 

many educational institutions, and his philanthropic contributions include work on community 

development. He has written extensively on Sufism. 

bayuni, endy m. [new] 

Bayuni is the chief editor of The Jakarta Post, Indonesia’s largest and most popular daily Englishlanguage 

newspaper.

Media 

mohammad, goenawan [new] 

Goenawan Mohammad is a writer, editor, activist, and award-winning journalist. He is the founder 

and editor of Tempo Magazine, Indonesia’s most widely circulated weekly. 

PAKISTAN 

hamid, zaid [new] 

One of the most influential television personalities in Pakistan, Zaid Hamid is a security consultant 

and strategic defense analyst by profession. He is also a popular political commentator, and is the 

founder of Brass Tacks, a Pakistani think tank on global politics. Hamid also hosts ‘BrassTacks with 

Zaid Hamid’ on News1 Channel and has been featured on ‘Wake up Pakistan’ on Pakistani satellite 

channel ARY, as well as ‘Iqbal ka Pakistan’ on Aag TV. Although he has been deemed by some as a 

conspiracy theorist, he maintains a substantial audience. 

shakil-ur-rahman, mir [new] 

Shakil-ur-Rahman is the owner of the Independent Media Corporation, Pakistan’s largest 

media conglomerate. The Geo TV network and the Jang Group are both under this umbrella 

organization. Shakil-ur-Rahman is also the chief executive and editor-in-chief of the Jang Group, 

which publishes a number of newspapers and magazines in Urdu and English. 

Europe 

NETHERLANDS 

mirza, umar 

Umar Mirza is chief editor of Wijblijvenhier.nl, the biggest Muslim weblog in the Netherlands. He 

is also president of the Al Hidayah organization, which organizes Islamic courses, seminars and 

festivals throughout the country. 

TURKEY 

dumanli, ekrem 

Ekrem Dumanli is the editor-in-chief of Zaman, a popular Turkish daily newspaper with close ties 

to the Gülen movement. He has published five books and has written a play. 


atwan, abdel bari 

Abdel Bari Atwan is a prominent Palestinian-British journalist and editor-in-chief of the major 

daily Arabic newspaper Al Quds Al Arabi. An expert on Middle Eastern and current affairs, Atwan 

is a leading writer and commentator, making regular appearances as a media consultant on major 

news networks. 

joseph, sarah 

Sarah Joseph is the editor of Emel Magazine. She has become influential as a commentator on 

Islam in Britain through her work as a speaker, publisher and broadcaster over the past decade. 

Her novel idea of creating a Muslim lifestyle magazine that focuses on the lives of everyday people 

has played a significant part in changing the expectations of British Muslims with regards to 

Islamic publications. Emel also commands a readership of interested non-Muslims. 

khan, rizwan 

Rizwan Khan—known more commonly as Riz Khan—is a British television news reporter and 

interviewer of prominent personalities. He gained international prominence while working for the 

BBC and CNN in senior anchor positions, before moving to Al Jazeera English, where he currently 

hosts his own political talk show. He was born in the former South Yemen. 

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Media 

nahdi, fuad 

Fuad Nahdi is founding editor of Q News a leading British Muslim magazine. He is also the 

director of The Radical Middle Way, a UK-based Muslim initiative set up to promote youth 

activism, authentic Islamic scholarship and education and the development of a distinct British 

Muslim identity. 

omaar, rageh 

Rageh Omaar is a television news presenter and writer who was stationed in Iraq and South Africa. 

He was the world affairs correspondent for the BBC from 1991 until 2006 when he moved to Al 

Jazeera English, where he currently presents the documentary series ‘Witness’. Omaar also hosts a 

new show, called ‘The Rageh Omaar Report.’ 

North America 

CANADA 

baksh, nazim 

Baksh is a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation television and radio producer specializing in root 

causes of terrorism. He also covers issues relating to traditional Islam. He is a former Massey 

Fellow and has produced the international affairs radio program ‘Dispatches’ since 2000. 

UNITED STATES 

amanat, omar 

Omar Amanat is an entrepreneur, and successful businessman. He founded Tradescape 

Corporation before its sale to E*Trade in 2002 for $280 million. Amanat is the founder of Summit 

Entertainment, a production and distribution studio in Hollywood worth $1 billion that created 

the popular sitcom ‘Aliens in America’. The Wall Street Journal named Amanat one of the ‘Top Ten 

Most Influential Technologists’. 

amanullah, shahed 

Shahed Amanullah is the editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com, a website dedicated to opinions and 

social analyses from the Muslim world. An award-winning journalist, Amanuallah has also created 

websites that serve as an online platform for Muslim products and mosques. 

godlas, dr alan 

Godlas is an American academic focusing on Islamic mysticism. He is known for his Islamic 

studies (www.uga.edu/islam/) and Sufism websites that are highly regarded as leading academic 

resources for research on Islam. 

gouverneur, aisha 

Aisha Gouverneur is the founder of the Islamic Texts Society and director of the non-profit, 

charitable foundation and publishing company Fons Vitae. Gouverneur is the co-writer of The 

Life of the Prophet Muhammad (2003). 

wolfe, michael 

Michael Wolfe is the president and executive producer of Unity Productions Foundation, which 

promotes peace through media. The company’s first full-length, award-winning film, ‘Muhammad: 

Legacy of a Prophet’ was broadcast extensively as a television documentary after its release in 2002. 

Wolfe has written a number of works on Islam and also hosted a televised account of the Hajj for 

‘Nightline’ in 1997 that was nominated for several awards. 

zakaria, fareed 

Fareed Zakaria is one of the United States’ foremost public intellectuals. He is a political 

commentator, journalist, bestselling author, and TV host specializing in international affairs. He 

has been editor of Newsweek International since 2000, and was former editor of Foreign Affairs. He 

has hosted several political shows, his current being ‘Fareed Zakaria GPS’ on CNN.

RADICALS 


EGYPT 

al zawahiri, ayman 

Ayman al Zawahiri is considered the second-in-command, and the key ideological leader of Al 

Qaeda. An alleged radical since the age of 15, he went on to become the leader of Egypt’s Islamic 

Jihad. Al Zawahiri is author of numerous Al Qaeda statements. 

IRAQ 

al baghdadi, abu omar 

Abu Omar Al Baghdadi is the alleged leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq. A reclusive figure whose existence 

remains in question, it has been claimed by the Iraqi security forces that he has been captured—a 

report that has been refuted by the American government. 

SAUDI ARABIA 

bin laden, osama 

The son of a wealthy Saudi businessman Osama bin Laden is the leader of Al Qaeda and is 

considered the most wanted man internationally for several terrorist attacks—the largest of which 

were the September 11 attacks that resulted in the deaths of 3000 civilians. 

al madkhali, sheikh rabi’ ibn haadi ‘umayr 

Sheikh Rabi’ Ibn Haadi ‘Umayr al Madkhali is one of the most radical thinkers in the Salafi 

movement. He is an influential writer and speaker, whose influence has lead to an independent 

faction within Salafism. Al Madkhali’s adherents are known as Madkhali Salafis and make up one 

of the most significant and influential branches inside the Salafi movement. 

YEMEN 

al awlaki, anwar [new] 

Al Awlaki is the first American citizen that the CIA has given explicit permission to kill for his 

alleged support and encouragement of terrorist operations such as 9/11, the Ft. Hood shootings 

and the attempted Christmas Day and Times Square bombings in 2010. He is reportedly living in 

Yemen. 

Asia 

AFGHANISTAN 

hekmatyar, gulbuddin 

Former prime minister of Afghanistan (1993-1994, 1996), Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has been deemed 

a ‘Specially Designated Global International Terrorist’ by the US Department of State for links 

with Al Qaeda and the Taliban. He is also founder of the Hezb-e-Islami political party that was 

founded as a mujahiddeen force against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan but developed into 

a militant group that is responsible for numerous attacks, including those against civilians. 

omar, mullah muhammad 

Mullah Muhammad Omar is the reclusive leader of Afghanistan’s Taliban. A prominent figure 

during Afghanistan’s struggle against Soviet occupation, he is better known for his support of 

Osama bin Laden. He is believed to be directing the Taliban in their war against NATO and 

Afghanistan forces. 

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168 

Radicals 

haqqani, sirajuddin [new] 

Haqqani heads militant forces based in Waziristan, fighting against American and NATO forces in 

Afghanistan. His group is reportedly closely allied with Pakistani Taliban. 

PAKISTAN 

saeed, hafiz mohammad 

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is the supposed leader of Jama’at ud Da’wah, Pakistan. He is formerly a 

professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan. 

His group is suggested to have inflicted severe causalities on Indian forces in the disputed Kashmir 

region as well as terror attacks on the Indian parliament house in New Delhi. He is the founder of 

the Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group, which is alleged to have organized the 2008 

Mumbai attacks. 

INDONESIA 

bashir, abu bakar 

Abu Bakar Bashir is an Indonesian Muslim cleric and leader of the Indonesian Mujahedeen 

Council (MMI). He runs the Al Mukmin boarding school in Ngruki, Central Java. It is alleged that 

he is the spiritual head of Jemaah Islamiyah with supposed links to Al Qaeda; a suggestion he has 

denied, stating that he does not believe Jemaah Islamiyah exists. Bashir reportedly founded a new 

organization, Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid in 2009. 

shihab, habib rizieq [new] 

Rizieq Shihab is the leader of Front Pembela Muslim (Islamic Defender Front), a hard line Islamic 

group in Indonesia. Criticism of FPI’s methods has mainly centered on its violent tactics. The FPI 

has conducted yearly raids during the holy month of Ramadan, targeting night clubs, bars and 

other various venues ‘not respectful of the holy month.’ The violent raids are often covered by 

local, electronic and print media.

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC 

NETWORKS 

International Islamic Fiqh 

Academy; Majma Al Fiqh 

GLOBAL 

al abbadi, his excellency abdul salam (p. 124) 

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy is an agency of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. 

Al Abbadi is the Secretary-General of the former organization. It was set up by representatives from 

all Muslim-majority countries at the Third International Islamic Summit in 2005 to provide the 

global Muslim populace a singular legal body. It remains the leading inter-sectarian institution for 

definitive legal rulings on Islam, and has a particular focus on contemporary social and political 

problems, and interpreting Islamic law in an international legal context. 

Muslim Brotherhood; Al Ikhwan Al Muslimeen 

EGYPT 

badi, dr mohammed (p. 50) 

Dr Mohammed Badi became the 8th Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood in January 2010. 

The Muslim Brotherhood, or Al Ikhwan Al Muslimeen, organizes political dissent in Egypt, recently 

having arranged mass protests criticizing the conflict in Gaza; it also demanded an apology from the 

Pope in Jordan, all in the face of mounting criticism against the Brotherhood’s beliefs and practices. 

The Muslim Brotherhood is active throughout the Middle East, North Africa and also in many 

Western countries. 

Hizb Ut Tahrir 

JORDAN 

abu rashta, ata 

Ata Abu Rashta is the global leader of the Islamic political party Hizb ut Tahrir. Having worked 

closely with the founder of Hizb ut Tahrir—Taqiuddin an Nabhani—Abu Rashta became prominent 

in Jordan during the Persian Gulf War when he contested the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait; in 2003 he 

became the leader of the party. Hizb ut Tahrir is popular in the Levant, the former Soviet Union, 

South and South East Asia, and Western Europe. 

The Royal Aal al Bayt Institute 

for Islamic Thought 

JORDAN 

The Royal Aal al Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought is an independent international nongovernmental 

institute headquartered in Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. 

The Royal Academy of the Royal Aal al Bayt Institute was officially established by law, with 100 leading 

scholars of Islam as senior fellows, appointed from all over the world by royal decree. The institute’s 

various aims are to serve the Islamic community worldwide through sound scholarly work, dispelling 

misconceptions and fallacies about Islam and fostering dialogue and cooperation between different 

schools of Islamic jurisprudence. 

169

170 

International Islamic Networks 

Hezbollah 

LEBANON 

nasrallah, seyyed hasan (p. 62) 

Seyyed Hasan Nasrallah is the current and third secretary general of Hezbollah (the Party of God). 

Hezbollah is a Twelver Shi’a Islamic political party and paramilitary organization based in Lebanon. 

Political and military successes have made Nasrallah a vastly influential figure in Lebanon, and in the 

Middle East more broadly. Hezbollah’s ideology is based on seeking social justice through Islamic 

ideals. Hezbollah appears at first to be a Lebanese national party, however its broad support from 

across the Middle East from individuals and communities supporting the idea of revolutionary 

Shi’ism have made it a global network. It has a significant following in Iran and Syria. 

Marjaiyya 

IRAQ 

sistani, his eminence grand ayatollah ali husseini 

Ali Husseini Sistani, a Grand Ayatollah and Twelver Shi’a marja is currently the highest-ranking Shi’a 

religious scholar in Iraq and leads the seminary of traditional Shi’a Islamic studies in Najaf. Since the 

Iraq war, Sistani has played a wider political role in Iraq. He has been referred to as a key figure in the 

so-called ‘Shi’a revival’, for his central place in the Marjaiyya (the community of marjas). 

Dawat-e-Islami 

PAKISTAN [NEW] 

qadiri, sheikh muhammad ilyas attar qadiri (p. 104) 

Dawat-e-Islami, which translates as ‘invitation to Islam,’ is a Sunni revival movement of the Barelwi 

sect. Based in Pakistan, this network’s influence is spread over 6 continents and 71 countries with a 

substantial following in the UK. Sheikh Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri founded the group in 1980. 

Promoting an apolitical agenda--mainly to spread the message of the Qur’an and knowledge about 

the prophetic tradition--this network has grown over the years and now produces a 24-hour satellite 

channel, ‘Madani Channel.’ 

Tablighi Jamaat 

PAKISTAN 

abd al wahhab, hajji mohammed (p. 58) 

Abd al Wahhab is the leader of the Pakistan-based organization, Tablighi Jamaat, which has chapters 

in 120 countries. The movement’s Raiwind Tablighi Ijtima annual conference, in the Punjab, Pakistan 

drew 1.5 million attendees in 2009. With approximately 3 million members attending the annual 

Biswa Ijtima conference in Bangladesh, the Tablighi Jamaat is an increasingly influential Muslim 

network from South Asia. 

Gülen Movement 

TURKEY 

gülen, hodjaefendi fethullah (p. 52) 

Fethullah Gülen is a preacher, thinker and educator, who having assumed the leadership of the 

religious movement Nurcu—started by Said Nursî (1878-1960 CE)—has gone on to become a global 

phenomenon in his own right. His popularity and authority in Turkey has been the driving force 

of a social movement. This movement is widely thought to have brought around the social, and 

eventually, political changes of which politician Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been the ultimate heir— 

that is the enfranchisement of Muslim politics in Turkey. Despite his peaceful means of preaching 

and community organization, Gülen is hated by the secularist establishment in Turkey and has been 

living in the US since 1999. The Gülen Movement started out as a distinctly Turkish movement but 

has since spread worldwide. Gülen has schools in almost every corner of the globe.

ISSUES OF THE DAY 

Al Aqsa 

JORDAN 

bin al hussein, his majesty king abdullah ii (p. 34) 

HM King Abdullah II of Jordan is the custodian of the Muslim holy sites in the city of Jerusalem. 

He maintains a unique prestige in the region. He has gone on record in March 2010 to condemn 

Israel’s inclusion of West Bank religious sites in its national heritage list. The Awqaf and Islamic 

Affairs ministry announced in 2010 a donation of over 2 million Jordanian Dinar from HM King 

Abdullah II for projects around the Al Aqsa compound. 

Green Revolution (Iran) 

IRAN 

moussavi, his excellency mir-hossein (p. 88) [new] 

“Where is my Vote?” became the slogan of the ‘Green Movement’ that gained speed in the aftermath 

of Mousavvi’s loss in the 2009 presidential campaign. The movement garnered international 

attention after millions of protesters went out to the streets to call for a recount and ignited a 

violent confrontation with the basij forces—under the Revolutionary Guard. The cause reaped 

global support, specifically in various social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook. Mousavvi 

has since headed an NGO called the Green Path that comprises six main members and various 

other reformist movements to demand the implementation of the constitution and political 

reform in Iran. 

U.S. Foreign Policy in the Muslim world 

UNITED STATES 

hussain, rashad (p. 121) and pandith, farah 

Since President Barack Obama’s appointment of Rashad Hussein and Farah Pandith as liaisons to 

the Muslim world, they have come to global attention. Although Muslim communities in the US 

and abroad receive the outreach with skepticism, positive feedback from Hussein and Pandith’s 

initial tasks could potentially lay the ground for improved relations between the US and the 

Muslim world. Hussein is Deputy Associate Counsel and US envoy to the Organization of the 

Islamic Conference. Pandith continues to serve as Special Representative to Muslim Communities 

for the US Department of State, since her appointment in 2009. 

Gaza 

PALESTINE 

omer, mohammed [new] 

An award-winning journalist, Mohammed Omar has been credited with reporting on the crises in 

Gaza for major media outlets. He was raised in Rafah refugee camp and despite calamities faced by 

his family--his father was imprisoned, his teenage brother was killed, his mother was injured in a 

demolition--he dedicates himself to journalism and reporting on the crisis. He is the recipient of 

the 2008 Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism. 

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172 

Issues of the Day 

Interfaith 

GLOBAL 

the ‘a common word’ group 

This group of 138 Islamic scholars and clerics is the catalyst behind a global bridge-building effort 

between Christians and Muslims. ‘A Common Word Between Us and You’ is an open letter issued 

from Muslim leaders to Christian leaders about the common ground between both religious 

communities, highlighting points of commonality found in the commandment to love God and 

one’s neighbor; (www.acommonword.com). 

Environment 

NORTH AMERICA/ USA 

nasr, professor dr seyyed hossein (p. 89) 

Nasr has tackled issues regarding the environment from a scholarly perspective, leading a 

movement to use Islamic teachings to help in the fight against climate change. The term Nasr 

employs is ‘eco-theology’. His is an important figure in advocacy that promotes environmentalism 

underscored as a matter of religious duty. 


al nahyan, his highness sheikh khalifa bin zayed (p. 114) 

Al Nahyan is the president of one of the fastest-growing nations in the world, the United Arab 

Emirates. He is funding the construction of the world’s first eco-city, Masdar, with zero carbon 

emissions which will run mostly on renewable energy. The cost of Masdar is estimated between 

$15-30 billion. 

ASIA/MALDIVES 

nasheed, his excellency mohamed 

As the president of the Madives, Nasheed is one of the most environmentally conscious state 

leaders in the world. In the earliest stages of his political career, Nasheed was imprisoned for his 

crticism of his country’s government and became an Amnesty Prisoner of Conscience. Today, 

Nasheed has managed to make the Maldives carbon-neutral within a decade by moving the 

country’s energy reliance to wind and solar power only. Time magazine named Nasheed #1 in the 

‘Leaders & Visionaries’ category within its annual list of Heroes of the Environment in 2009. 

AIDS/HIV 

SOUTHERN AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA 

esack, farid 

Farid Esack runs a faith-based organization in the field of HIV/AIDS. His organization, Positive 

Muslims, was established in 2000. It offers services from an Islamic perspective and encourages 

compassion, mercy and non-judgementalism towards all humankind. South Africa is one of the 

areas worst affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 

ASIA/INDIA 

engineer, asghar ali (p. 102) 

The Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN), of which Engineer is chairman, seeks to build 

awareness and capacity among Muslim communities in Asia so that they may effectively respond 

to the growing problem of HIV/AIDS.


Houthi Rebellion 

MIDDLE EAST/ YEMEN 

houthi, abdul-malik 

Houthi is the leading figure in an insurgency in the Sadah province in northern Yemen which has 

been continuing from 2004 to the present day. The uprising has been called the Houthi Rebellion 

due to Houthi’s leadership. The Zaidi community comprises around half of the population of 

Yemen, and is concentrated in the north. In traditional Zaidi religious belief if there is no clear 

leader for the Zaidi community a Caliph can emerge through armed struggle. Yemen was formerly 

under the control of a Zaidi Caliph; the Zaidi Caliphate ended in 1962. Houthi’s brothers Yahia 

Badreddin and Abdul-Karim are also leaders in the insurgency. 

Poverty 

ASIA/ PAKISTAN 

zafar, roshaneh (p. 147) [new] 

An economist by training, Roshaneh Zafar is a social entrepreneur and founder of the Kashf 

Foundation, the third-largest microfinance institution in Pakistan, which specializes in offering 

financial services to women and their families to facilitate their economic independence and selfreliance. 

The Kashf Foundation has disbursed over $200 million and has a national network of 152 

branches. 

Hijab Rights 

MIDDLE EAST/ KUWAIT 

dashti, dr rola [new] 

Dr Rola Dashti was one of four women to be elected to the Kuwaiti parliament in 2009 after 

successfully lobbying for the rights of women to vote and run for parliamentary elections in 2005. 

She is actively engaged in leadership positions with numerous organizations, as chairperson of the 

Kuwait Economic Society, executive member of Young Arab Leaders (Kuwait), and founder of the 

Women Participation Organization, among others. Following her election Dashti was noted as one 

of two MPs who refuse to wear the hijab to parliamentary meetings, protesting a stipulation that 

requires all MPs to strictly adhere to sharia law—a stipulation which is considered by some to be 

an unconstitutional oppression of religious freedom. Dashti continues to be vocal as a democratic 

and gender-equality activist. 

Youth Unemployment 

MIDDLE EAST/QATAR 

younis, ahmed 

Younis is the young former national director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council in the United 

States (MPAC). His current job is to create strategic partnerships at Silatech, an organization that 

recently started to push for greater youth employment in the Middle East and North Africa. These 

regions in particular have some of the world’s highest youth unemployment rates. 

Economic Development 

ASIA/ PHILIPPINES 

guiapal, aleem siddiqu [new] 

Guiapal is the project director of the Young Moro Professional Network (YMPN). This organization 

is made up of 200 Muslim scholars, students and professionals who are all using their unique skills 

to alleviate the plight of marginalized Muslim communities. 

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174 


Uighur Chinese Relations 

ASIA/CHINA 

kadeer, rebiya 

Kadeer is the de facto leader of the movement for social justice for the 15-million-strong Uighur 

ethnic-population of China. She was formerly a successful businesswoman and philanthropist in 

China but was imprisoned in 2000 for leaking state secrets and now lives in exile in the United 

States. Before her arrest, Kadeer was running the 1,000 Families Mothers’ Project, which helped 

Uighur women start businesses. She now presides over both the World Uighur Congress and the 

Uighur American Association. She is well-known for her work in Europe and North America 

publicizing the plight of the Uighur ethnic group, and is partially responsible for raising the issue’s 

status both in China and abroad. The Chinese government sees Kadeer as an agitator. She was 

nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.

GLOSSARY 

=

Glossary 

Ahl Al Bayt (or Aal Al Bayt): Literally, the people of the house; refers to the family of the 

Prophet Muhammad. 

Ahl as Sunnah wa’l Jama’ah: Literally, people of the practices of the Prophet Muhammad 

and the Muslim community. 

Al Fatiha: Literally, ‘the opening’, this is the title for the first chapter of the Holy Qur’an 

which is recited as a fundamental part of Muslims’ daily prayers. 

Allah: Arabic for God. 

Aqida: Creed: This refers to the theological and doctrinal beliefs of Muslims. 

Ash’ari: The school of Sunni Orthodoxy named after the followers of the 9th century 

scholar Abu al Hasan al Ash’ari (874-936 CE). 

Azaan/Adhan: The call to prayer. 

Bid’a: Literally ‘innovation’; this refers to the act of creating superfluous, or nonprescribed 

traditions in the practice of Islam. It is used in common speech as a 

denunciation toward those not acting in accordance with the prescriptions of Islam. 

Caliph: The head of the entire community of Muslims, either current or in the past. Is 

also used by certain sects to refer to their own leader. 

Chador: A loose cloth traditionally worn by Muslim women which usually covers the 

body from head to foot. 

Da’i/ Da’ee: Missionary. 

Da’wa: Islamic missionary work; literally ‘making an invitation’ to the religion. 

Emir (or Amir): A title accorded to a leader, prince, or commander-in-chief. 

Fatwa: Islamic legal ruling, or legal pronouncement. It is not synonymous with a death 

sentence as is sometimes thought in the West. 

Fiqh: Islamic jurisprudence (the philosophy of law). This is the scholarly pursuit that 

enables individuals to have an educated understanding of Islamic law. 

Fiqh al Aqaliyaat: Islamic legal rulings for Muslims living as minorities in foreign lands. 

Hadith: Literally ‘sayings’. These are a set of references to the life of the Prophet 

Muhammad. There are numerous Hadith, and the practice of verifying them is an Islamic 

scholarly practice of its own that has been carried out since the life of the Prophet. 

Hafiz (or Hafiza) al Qur’an: A person who has committed the entire Qur’an to memory, 

and can recite the Qur’an at will. This is important in Islam because the Qur’an was 

originally revealed as an oral text. 

Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca. It is mandatory for every Muslim who is able to do it, and 

can afford it. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th 

to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. 

Halal: Permissible. A term referring to actions or objects that are permissible according 

to Islamic law. Commonly refers to food items that are permissible for Muslims to eat. 

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178 

Haram: Sanctuary. 

Hijab: Headscarf worn by Muslim women. 

Glossary 

Hijaz: The region along the west coast of the Arabian Peninsula. 

Ibadi: The Ibadi school has origins in and is linked to the Kharijites, but the modern day 

community is distinct from the 7th century Islamic sect. It was founded after the death 

of Prophet Muhammad and is currently practiced by a majority of Oman’s Muslim 

population. Also found across parts of Africa. 

Ihsan: Virtue through constant regard to, and awareness of God. 

Ijaza: Certification. 

Ijtihad: Independent reasoning, or individual interpretation of the Qur’an. 

Imam: (1) In both Sunni and Shi’a Islam an imam is the leader of congregational prayers 

who may also deliver the Friday prayer (Jum’a) sermon; more generally, a person of 

authority within the community. (2) In Shi’a Islam this exclusively refers to a series of 

people, descended from the Prophet Muhammad, who by lineage are considered divinely 

guided spiritual leaders. 

Imamate: The position or institution, in Shi’a Islam, that is comprised of a series of 

divinely guided imams. 

Iman: Faith in God. 

Islam: Submission to God’s will. 

Jihad: Struggle. An exertion of effort in any field, not just in war. 

Ka’ba: The large cubic structure in the Grand Mosque in Mecca, adorned in gold 

embroidered black fabric, referred to by Muslims as the ‘House of God’. This structure 

marks the direction in which Muslims pray and is central to the Hajj pilgrimage when 

it is circumambulated, a practice rooted in pre-Islamic Arabia when it contained idols 

subsequently removed by the Prophet Muhammad. 

Khat: Script. 

Khateeb: One who traditionally delivers the Friday sermon; orator. 

Khawarij: A group of Muslims in early Islamic history who went against the larger 

community and became outsiders. A term used to describe political deviants. 

Khums: Literally, 1/5 in Arabic; a religious tax of 1/5 of one’s income owed by followers 

of Usuli Twelver Shi’a to a very senior cleric. 

Madhabs: Traditional schools of Islamic legal methodology (e.g. Hanbali, Maliki, Shafi’i, 

Hanafi, Jafari). 

Madrassa: The Arabic word for ‘school’. Can refer to a religious school. 

Majles al Shura: Consultative religio-legislative body. 

Marja/Marjaiyya: The highest position of authority in the Usuli school of Twelver

Glossary 

Shi’i fiqh. Also referred to as marja taqlid, meaning literally one who is worthy of being 

imitated. 

Masjid: Arabic for ‘mosque’. 

Maturidi: The school of Sunni Orthodoxy named after the followers of the 9th century 

scholar Muhammad Abu Mansur al Maturidi (853-944 CE). 

Melayu Islam Beraja: The concept of Malay Islamic monarchy. 

Morchidat: Literally, guides. Refers to the Moroccan cadre of trained female preachers. 

Mufti: A Muslim legal expert who is empowered to give rulings on religious matters. 

Muqri: A reciter of Qur’an. 

Murid: Follower of a Sufi guide or order. 

Mursyidul Am: Malaysian term for religious guide. 

Mutabarrik: Supporter or affiliate of a Sufi guide or order. 

Mu’tazili: An almost obsolete school of Sunni Islam, popular in the 8th century, that 

advocates the belief that the Qur’an was created—as opposed to the Orthodox Sunni 

view that it is eternal and uncreated. 

Nasheed: Religious song traditionally performed without musical instruments. 

Pancasila: Indonesian concept of five basic, national principles: belief in the Oneness of 

God, just and civilized humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy, and social justice. 

Pesantren: The term for Islamic schools in Indonesia. 

Qibla: The direction in which Muslims offer their five daily prayers; the direction 

of the Ka’ba in Mecca. 

Ramadan: Holy month of fasting. 

Salafi: A movement of Sunni Muslims that places great emphasis on literal interpretation 

of the Qur’an and Hadith, with skepticism towards the role of human. 

Shahadatayn: The two testimonies of faith: There is no deity but God. Muhammad is 

the Messenger of God. Stating these two sentences is sufficient to become a Muslim. 

Sharia: Literally, ‘the way to the source’, this refers to Islamic law. Islamic law is not, as 

is widely perceived, a standard set of written rules, but is rather an unwritten text that 

is interpreted by legal scholars in specific instances, drawing on the Qur’an and other 

reliable religious sources relevant to the tradition followed. 

Sheikh: (1) A position of authority granted to people who are respected in society. (2) 

A religious official. 

Shi’a: The second-largest denomination of Muslims referred to as Shi’atu ‘Ali or ‘party of 

‘Ali,’ the fourth caliph of Islam and first imam in Shi’ism. 

Sunna: Literally ‘the trodden path’; this refers to the ways and practices of the Prophet 

Muhammad. Reference to these practices can be found in the Qur’an and in the Hadith. 

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Glossary 

Sunni: The largest denomination of Muslims referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah 

or ‘people of the prophetic tradition and community’—with emphasis on emulating the 

life of the Prophet Muhammad. 

Tafsir: Interpretation of the Qur’an, either by commentary or exegesis. 

Taqlid: The practice of following rulings without questioning the religious authority. 

This is a core tenet of the Usuli school of Islamic law. 

Ummah: The collective Muslim community. 

Velayat-e Faqih: A position of both spiritual and temporal powers in the Republic of 

Iran. Literally, Guardianship of the Jurists, referring to the fact that while the Mahdi 

(awaited one) is in occultation, the jurists should have guardianship over the earth. 

Waqf: A religious endowment or charitable trust. 

Zakat: The religious obligation to annually give one-fortieth of one’s income and savings 

to the poor and destitute.

APPENDIX 

= 

The Muslim world spans far and wide with 

majority Muslim countries nestled around the 

equator and concentrated in many parts of North 

Africa, the Middle East, South and South East 

Asia. An estimated 22% of the world's population 

is Muslim—spanning approximately 50 countries 

as a majority and speaking around 60 different 

first languages.

Kazakhstan 

176 

Kyrgyzstan 

Uzbekistan 

Bosnia 

and Herz. 

Kosovo 

Azerbaijan 

Tajikistan 

Turkmenistan 

Albania 

Turkey 

Kashmir 

Disputed Territory 

Afghanistan 

Lebanon 

West Bank 

and Gaza 

Syria 

Iraq 

Jordan 

Tunisia 

Iran 

Morocco 

Pakistan 

Kuwait 

Bahrain 

Qatar 

Bangladesh 

Saudi 

Arabia 

Libya Egypt 

Algeria 

Western 

Sahara 

Oman 

United 

Arab 

Emirates 

Mauritania 

Niger 

Mali 

Eritrea Yemen 

Chad 

Sudan 

Senegal 

Burkina 

Faso 

The Gambia 

Djibouti 

Guinea 

Brunei 

Darussalam 

Nigeria 

Sierra Leone 

Maldives 

Somalia 

Malaysia 

Indonesia 

Comoros 

Mayotte (France) 

Cocos (Keeling) 

Islands 

majority muslim countries 

This map is for illustrative purposes only. Dimensions and exact borders of nations may differ from those shown here. Statistics: 2008

184

Muslim Percentage Estimations 

Country / Territory Total Population 

United Nations 

subregions 

Continent 

PEW Forum % Houssain Kettani % Reasonable Est. % 

Asia Western Asia Abkhazia 220,000 n.a n.a 77,000 35.000 35,200 16.000 

Asia Southern Asia Afghanistan 34,152,411 34,049,954 99.700 34,073,860 99.770 33,431,795 97.890 

Europe Southern Europe Albania 3,651,737 2,917,738 79.900 2,556,216 70.000 1,416,509 38.790 

Africa Northern Africa Algeria 34,429,889 33,741,291 98.000 34,085,590 99.000 33,286,817 96.680 

Oceania Polynesia American Samoa 66,119 n.a




subregions 

Continent 


186 

Africa Western Africa Benin 8,952,619 2,184,439 24.400 2,186,230 24.420 1,793,210 20.030 

North America Northern America Bermuda 68,108 545 0.800 661 0.970 n.a n.a 

Asia Southern Asia Bhutan 696,528 6,965 1.000 34,826 5.000 27,861 4.000 

South America South America Bolivia 9,881,429 2,000




subregions 

Continent 


Oceania Australasia Christmas Island 1,402 n.a n.a n.a n.a 379 27.000 

Oceania Australasia Cocos (Keeling) Islands 596 n.a n.a n.a n.a 306 51.300 

South America South America Colombia 46,030,584 14,000




subregions 

Continent 


188 

Africa Eastern Africa Eritrea 5,736,582 2,093,852 36.500 2,868,291 50.000 2,868,291 50.000 

Europe Northern Europe Estonia 1,294,347 1,294 0.100 1,553 0.120 9,060 0.700 

Africa Eastern Africa Ethiopia 86,916,490 29,464,690 33.900 29,447,307 33.880 26,944,112 31.000 

South America South America Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3,140 n.a




subregions 

Continent 


Europe Northern Europe Guernsey 65,955 n.a n.a 66 0.100 80 0.121 

Africa Western Africa Guinea 10,216,610 8,622,819 84.400 8,684,119 85.000 8,726,007 85.410 

Africa Western Africa Guinea Bissau 1,552,980 655,358 42.200 698,841 45.000 667,781 43.000 

South America South America Guyana 773,151 55,667 7.200 55,590 7.190 77,315 10.000 

North America Caribbean Haiti 9,137,566 2,000




subregions 

Continent 


190 

Oceania Micronesia Kiribati 114,401 n.a




subregions 

Continent 


Oceania Micronesia Marshall Islands 65,346 n.a




subregions 

Continent 


192 

North America Central America Nicaragua 5,955,553 1,000




subregions 

Continent 


Europe Eastern Europe Romania 22,194,971 66,585 0.300 68,804 0.310 221,950 1.000 

Europe Eastern Europe Russia 139,637,314 16,337,566 11.700 22,118,551 15.840 14,243,006 10.200 

Africa Eastern Africa Rwanda 10,651,965 191,735 1.800 193,866 1.820 1,118,456 10.500 

North America Caribbean Saint Barthelemy 7,448 n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a 

Africa Western Africa Saint Helena 7,658 n.a




subregions 

Continent 


194 

Africa Southern Africa South Africa 49,136,779 737,052 1.500 717,397 1.460 712,483 1.450 

Europe Southern Europe Spain 40,542,411 405,424 1.000 1,191,947 2.940 486,509 1.200 

Asia Southern Asia Sri Lanka 21,442,574 1,822,619 8.500 1,811,898 8.450 1,715,406 8.000 

Africa Northern Africa Sudan 41,627,438 29,680,363 71.300 29,139,207 70.000 27,057,835 65.000 

South America South America Suriname 484,516 77,038 15.900 65,167 13.450 93,996 19.400 

Europe Northern Europe Svalbard 2,116 n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a 

Africa Southern Africa Swaziland 1,120,740 2,241 0.200 2,241 0.200 10,647 0.950 

Europe Northern Europe Sweden 9,068,547 181,371 2.000 505,118 5.570 281,125 3.100 

Europe Western Europe Switzerland 7,617,534 327,554 4.300 324,507 4.260 236,144 3.100 

Appendix 

Asia Western Asia Syria 20,442,254 18,847,758 92.200 17,784,761 87.000 18,463,444 90.320 

Asia Eastern Asia Taiwan 23,006,775 23,000




subregions 

Continent 


North America Caribbean Turks and Caicos Islands 23,302 n.a

196

NOT 

LISTED IN 

2010 

= 

These leaders from The 500 Most Influential 

Muslims 2009 are not listed among the 500 in 

this year’s edition. 

197

198

CATEGORY COUNTRY NAME 

SCHOLARLY Bahrain al Mohmood, Prof. Abed al Lateef 

SCHOLARLY Belgium Michot, Yahya M 

SCHOLARLY Brunei Haddad, Gibril 

SCHOLARLY Canada Kutty, Sheikh Ahmad 

SCHOLARLY Canada El Masry, Dr Mohammad 

SCHOLARLY Canada Rabbani, Sheikh Faraz 

SCHOLARLY Egypt Kahlawi, Prof. Dr ‘Abla Mohammed 

SCHOLARLY Egypt Ezzat, Dr Heba Raouf 

SCHOLARLY Germany Köhler, Ayyub Axel 

SCHOLARLY India Khan, Wahiduddin 

SCHOLARLY Indonesia Azra, Azyumardi 

SCHOLARLY Iran 

Yazdi, His Eminence Ayatollah 

Mohammad Taghi Mesbah 

SCHOLARLY Ivory Coast Damboli, Sheikh Mohammad 

SCHOLARLY Jordan 

Hlayyel, His Excellency Justice Prof. Dr 

Sheikh Ahmad 

SCHOLARLY Jordan al Saqqaf, Sheikh Seyyed Hasan 

SCHOLARLY Lebanon 

SCHOLARLY 

Libyan Arab 

Jamahiriya 

Fadlallah, His Eminence Grand 

Ayatollah Sayeed Mohammad Hussein 

Nayed, Prof. Dr Aref Ali 

SCHOLARLY Malaysia Bakar, Prof Dr Dato Osman 

SCHOLARLY Morocco Azzouzi, Prof. Dr Abdelhaq 

SCHOLARLY Morocco al Murini, Dr al Jilani 

SCHOLARLY Pakistan Ansari, Zafar Ishaq 

SCHOLARLY Pakistan Ahmed, Dr Israr 

SCHOLARLY South Africa Esack, Prof. Farid 

SCHOLARLY South Africa Moosa, Prof. Ebrahim 

SCHOLARLY Syria 

Not Listed in 2010 

al Bizm, His Eminence Dr Abdul- 

Fattah 

SCHOLARLY Syria al Bugha, Mustafa 

199

200 


SCHOLARLY Turkey Sezgin, Prof. Dr Fuat 

SCHOLARLY United States Abdullah, Dr Umar Faruq 

SCHOLARLY United States Abou El Fadl, Dr Khaled 

SCHOLARLY United States 

Ahmed, His Excellency Ambassador 

Akbar Salahuddin 

SCHOLARLY United States Ayoub, Dr Mahmoud 

SCHOLARLY United States Delorenzo, Sheikh Yusuf Talal 

SCHOLARLY United States Al Islam, Amir 

SCHOLARLY United States Kabbani, Sheikh Muhammad Hisham 

SCHOLARLY United States Jackson, Sherman 

SCHOLARLY United States Sachedina, Prof. Abdulaziz 

POLITICAL Afghanistan 

POLITICAL Bangladesh 

Mojaddedi, His Excellency 

Sibghatullah 

Nizami, Motiur Rahman [Down from 

43] 

POLITICAL Chad Bichara, Ahmat Ismael 

POLITICAL Denmark Mojaddedi, Dr Asmat 

POLITICAL Egypt El Zayat, Muntasir 

POLITICAL Egypt Akef, Mahdi [Down from 12] 

POLITICAL Iran 

POLITICAL Malaysia 

Taskhiri, His Eminence Ayatollah 

Mohammad-Ali 

Mohammad, His Excellency Dr 

Mahathir 

POLITICAL Pakistan Ahsan, Barrister Chaudhry Aitzaz 

POLITICAL Russia Umarov, Dokka 

POLITIAL Tunisia 


POLITICAL United Kingdom Ali, Mockbul 

POLITICAL United Kingdom Malik, Shahid 

Baccouche, His Excellency Prof. Dr 

Hedi 

ADMINISTRATIVE Albania Mucha, Haxhi Selim 

ADMINISTRATIVE Austria Baghajati, Amina


ADMINISTRATIVE Belarus Sha’abanovic, Sheikh Abu Baker 

ADMINISTRATIVE Belgium 

ADMINISTRATIVE Brazil Saifi, Ahmed 

Al Yahya, Dr Abdul-Aziz Mohammad 

Abdullah 

ADMINISTRATIVE France Abu Bakr, Sheikh Prof. Dalil 

ADMINISTRATIVE Iceland Tamimi, Salmann 

ADMINISTRATIVE India Ahmad, Sheikh Aboobackar 

ADMINISTRATIVE Iran Shahrestani, Seyyed Javad 

ADMINISTRATIVE Jamaica Tijani, Marufat 

ADMINISTRATIVE Lebanon Jabri, Dr Abdul-Nasser 

ADMINISTRATIVE Lithuania Jakubauskas, Romas 

ADMINISTRATIVE Morocco Benbin, Prof. Dr Ahmad Shawqi 

ADMINISTRATIVE Nigeria Adegbite, Dr Lateef Oladimeji 

ADMINISTRATIVE Nigeria Orire, Justice Abdulkadir 

ADMINISTRATIVE Portugal Munir, David 

ADMINISTRATIVE Russia 


Gaynutdinov, His Eminence Sheikh 

Ravil Ismagilovich 

ADMINISTRATIVE Turkey Aydın, His Excellency Mehmet 

ADMINISTRATIVE Turkey Eren, His Excellency Halit 

ADMINISTRATIVE Turkey Gormez, Dr Mehmet 

ADMINISTRATIVE United Kingdom Ali, Amjad 

ADMINISTRATIVE United Kingdom El Diwany, Tareq 

ADMINISTRATIVE United Kingdom Ghaffur, Tarique 

ADMINISTRATIVE United States Amr, Hady 

ADMINISTRATIVE United States Helminski, Sheikh Kabir 

ADMINISTRATIVE United States Kavakçi, Prof. Dr Hafiz Yusuf Z 

ADMINISTRATIVE United States Al Shabazz, Ilyasah 

ADMINISTRATIVE United States Wahhaj, Siraj 

PREACHERS Saudi Arabia Kalbani, Sheikh Adil 

201

202 


WOMEN Afghanistan Samar, Dr Sima 

WOMEN Belgium Ozdemir, Mahinur 

WOMEN Egypt Al Halafawi, Jihani 

WOMEN Indonesia Mulia, Siti Musdah 

WOMEN Indonesia Munir, Lily Zakiyah 

WOMEN Iran Hashemi, Faezeh 

WOMEN Malaysia Aljeffri, Sharifah Zuriah 

WOMEN Morocco Zitan, Naima 

WOMEN Pakistan Bibi, Mukhtaran 

WOMEN Pakistan Naim, Tanveer Kausar 

WOMEN Saudi Arabia Al Huwaider, Wajeha 

WOMEN Saudi Arabia Abu-Sulayman, Muna 

WOMEN Turkey Gül, Hayrünnisa 

WOMEN United States Niaz, Robina 

WOMEN United States Wadud, Prof. Dr Amina 

YOUTH Pakistan Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto 

YOUTH Singapore Lazim, Razak Mohamed 

YOUTH United States Ali, Baba 

DEVELOPMENT Bahrain 

Shawqi, Fatima 

DEVELOPMENT Canada Slimi, Imam Hamid 

DEVELOPMENT China Mah, Mariah 

DEVELOPMENT Germany Rieger, Abu Bakr 

DEVELOPMENT Gibraltar Sasri, Mohamed 

DEVELOPMENT Indonesia Anwar, Syafi’i 

DEVELOPMENT Kuwait 

DEVELOPMENT Lebanon 


Al Ghoneim, His Excellency Prof. Dr 

Abdullah Yusuf 

Fahs, Sheikh Seyyed Hani 

DEVELOPMENT Palestine Abu Awwad, Ali


DEVELOPMENT South Africa Jeenah, Naeem 

DEVELOPMENT Spain Escudero, Dr Mansur A 

DEVELOPMENT Sudan Osman, Salih Mahmoud 

DEVELOPMENT Turkey Benli, Fatma 

DEVELOPMENT 

United Arab 

Emirates 

DEVELOPMENT United States Awad, Nihad 

Al Mahmoudi, Hussein Mohammad 

DEVELOPMENT United States Cader, Rushdi Abdul 

DEVELOPMENT United States Khera, Farhana 

DEVELOPMENT United States Al Marayati, Salam 

DEVELOPMENT United States Nashashibi, Rami 

DEVELOPMENT United States Omar, Manal 

DEVELOPMENT United States Riaz, Dr Khalid 

SCIENCE AND 

TECHNOLOGY 

SCIENCE AND 

TECHNOLOGY 

SCIENCE AND 

TECHNOLOGY 

SCIENCE AND 

TECHNOLOGY 

SCIENCE AND 

TECHNOLOGY 

Iran Gholshani, Dr Mehdi 

Kuwait 

Syria 

United States 

ARTS AND CULTURE Canada 


Al Shamlan, Prof. Dr Ali Abdullah 

Dayeh, Her Excellency Dr Kawkab al 

Sabah Mohammad Jamil 

Chakaki, Mohamad 

United States El Hibri, Fuad 

Ali, Dawud Wharnsby 

ARTS AND CULTURE Canada Amir, Amin 

ARTS AND CULTURE Canada K’naan (Kanaan Warsame) 

ARTS AND CULTURE Denmark Bachiri, Isam and Qadri, Waqas 

ARTS AND CULTURE Iran Abedini, Reza 

ARTS AND CULTURE Pakistan Ahmad, Salman 

ARTS AND CULTURE Singapore Jalil, Iskandar 

ARTS AND CULTURE United Kingdom Azzam, Khaled 

203

204 


ARTS AND CULTURE United States Canon, Anas 

ARTS AND CULTURE United States Hammad, Suheir 

ARTS AND CULTURE United States Sulaiman, Amir 

ARTS AND CULTURE United States 

Usman, Azhar 

MEDIA Egypt Heikal, Mohammad Hassanein 

MEDIA Netherlands Dami, Abdellah 

MEDIA Turkey Bulaç, Ali 

MEDIA United Kingdom Alibhai-Brown, Yasmin 

MEDIA United Kingdom 

Sardar, Ziauddin 

MEDIA United States Lekovic, Edina 

MEDIA United States Taylor, Tayyibah 

RADICALS 

Indian-Administered 

Kashmir 

Azhar, Maulana Masood 

RADICALS Palestine-Jordan Al Maqdisi, Abu Muhammad Asem 

RADICALS Saudi Arabia 


Al Hawali, Dr Safar bin Abdul- 

Rahman

INDEX 

=

Afghanistan 

Barakzai, Shukria 133 

Farid, Andeisha 137 

Gilani, Pir Sayyed Ahmad 118 

Haqqani, Sirajuddin 168 

Hekmatyar, Gulbuddin 167 

Karzai, His Excellency President Hamid 110 

Mohseni, Saad 164 

Omar, Mullah Muhammad 167 

Quraishi, Colonel Shafiqa 133 

Samandar, Rahimullah 164 

Samim, Dr Abdul Zahir Shafiq 118 

Sarabi, Her Excellency Dr Habiba 144 

Albania 

Bardhi, His Eminence Haxhi Dede Reshat 126 

Koci, Hafiz Sabri 120 

Algeria 

Bouteflika, His Excellency President Abdelaziz 107 

Cherif, H.E. Ambassador Prof. Dr Mustafa 97 

Ghlamallah, His Excellency Bouabdellah 115 

Haddam, Anwar N 107 

Angola 

Drame, Famar 143 

Argentina 

Garcia, Prof. Muhammad Isa 105 

Hallar, Muhammad Yusuf 123 

Asia/Maldives 

Nasheed, His Excellency Mohamed 172 

Australia 

Aly, Waleed 104 

El Imam, Sheikh Fehmi 104 

El Masri, Hazem 147 

Houli, Bachar 138 

Austria 162 

Dirie, Waris 134 

Shakfeh, Annas 120 

Azerbaijan 

Aliyev, His Excellency President Ilham 110 

Bayramov, Vugar 144 

Ibrahimoglu, Ilgar 101 

Pashazade, Sheikh ul Islam Haji Allahshukur Hummat 101 

Qasimov, Alim 156 

Bahrain 

Al Zayani, Afnan 131 

Yaquby, Nizam 97 

Bangladesh 

Abed, Fazle Hasan 145 

Hossain, Dr Hameeda 133 

Rahman, Mohammad Fazlur 118 

Wazed, Her Excellency Sheikha Hasina 110 

Yunus, Mohammad 145 

Index 

207

208 

Belarus 

Kanapatsky, Ibragim 146 

Voronovich, Ismail Mukharemovich 120 

Bosnia 

Karic, Dr Enes 103 

Bosnia-Herzegovina 

Ceric, His Eminence Sheikh Professor Dr Mustafa 86 

Mahmutcehajic, His Excellency Prof. Dr Rusmir 146 

Brazil 

Bin Juned, His Eminence Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Abd Aziz 101 

Othman, Abdul-Baqi Sayed 123 

Brunei Darussalam 

Waddaulah, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin 79 

Bulgaria 

Hadzhi, His Eminence Mustafa Alish 146 

Burkina Faso 

Aboubakary, Maiga 144 

Dokori, Dr Abu Bakr 100 

Burundi 

Nkunduwiga, Haruna 143 

Cambodia 

Adam, H.E. Zakaryya 118 

Canada 

Alshareef, Muhammad 147 

Badawi, Dr Jamal 129 

Baksh, Nazim 166 

Delic, Imam Dr Zijad 124 

Doueiri, Dany 148 

Kheddar, Cherifa 131 

Kutty, Faisal 153 

Nawaz, Zarqa 159 

Valiante, Wahida 124 

Chad 

Abakar, Sheikh Hussain Hassan 117 

Deby Itno, His Excellency President Idriss 109 

Chile 

Torres, Sheikh Ismail 105 

China 

Arshad, Mufti Mohammad 119 

Chengzhi, Zhang 157 

Guangyuan, Imam Chen Chen 119 

Kadeer, Rebiya 174 

Noor Deen, Haji (Mi Guang Jiang) 157 

Yue, Ma 157 

Colombia 

Al Colombi, Dawood Abdl Ghafur 105 

Index

Cote d’Ivoire 

Abdoulaziz, Sheikh Sarba 144 

Croatia 

Alili, Hafiz Aziz 162 

Cyprus 

Al Haqqani, Sheikh Mehmet Nazim Adil al Qubrusi 89 

Czech Republic 

Omic, Imam Emir 128 

Sanka, Vladimir 121 

Denmark 

Khader, Nasser 112 

Pederson, Abdul Wahid 121 

Ecuador 

Dassum, Dr Layla 105 

Suquillo, Juan 124 

Egypt 

Abdelkafy, Sheikh Dr Omar 127 

Abo Auf, Dr Ezzat 155 

Abulmagd, His Excellency Prof. Dr Kamal 163 

Al Aswany, Alaa 155 

Al ‘Awa, Sheikh Dr Mohammed Salim 97 

Al Husseini, Dr Abd Allah 115 

al Tayeb, His Eminence Professor Dr Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad 40 

Al Zawahiri, Ayman 167 

Badie, Dr Mohammed 50, 169 

ElBaradei, Dr Mohamed 92, 107 

El Naggar, Zaghloul 151 

Goma’a, His Eminence Sheikh Dr Ali 46 

Hosni, Mostafa 137 

Howeidy, Dr Fahmy 163 

Khaled, Amr 56 

Masoud, Moez 137 

Mubarak, His Excellency President Muhammad Hosni 107 

Schleifer, Prof. Dr Suleiman Abdallah 163 

Tiblawi, Sheikh Mohammad 161 

El Salvador 

Al Salvadori, Mustafa 123 

Qattan, Dr Ahmad 105 

Estonia 

Harsinov, His Emminence, Ahmed 103 

Ethiopia 

Idris, His Eminence Hajji Omar 100 

Finland 

Daher, Okan 121 

El Fatatry, Mohamed 152 

Ismail, Atik 146 

France 

al Hussayni, His Royal Highness Shah Karim 66 

Bechari, Dr Mohammad 113 

Index 

209

210 

Bencheikh, Sheikh Sohaib 103 

Deghati, Reza 158 

Guiderdoni, Dr Bruno Abd al Haqq 153 

Moussaoui, Mohammed 121 

Gambia 

Jah, His Excellency Ambassador Prof. Dr Omar 100 

Germany 

Denffer, Dr Ahmed von 103 

Ghana 

Abass, Mohammed 137 

Guyana 

Khan, Faizul 147 

Shah, Ryhaan 159 

Index 

India 

Al Azhari, Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri 78 

Bukhari, Syed Ahmad 119 

Engineer, Asghar Ali 101, 172 

Kalam, His Excellency Dr A P J Abdul 151 

Khan, Shahrukh 157 

Madani, Maulana Mahmood 85 

Naik, Dr Zakir 127 

Qasmi, Maulana Badruddin Ajmal 139 

Qaudri, Professor Sayid Ameen Mian 101 

Rahman, Allah Rakha 157 

Sadiq, Maulana Kalbe 101 

Saheb, His Holiness Dr Syedna Mohammad Burhannuddin 88 

Indonesia 

Alawiyaah, Prof. Dr Tuti 133 

Amalee, Irfan 137 

Bagir, Haidar 164 

Bashir, Abu Bakar 168 

Baswedan, Anies 101 

Bayuni, Endy M. 164 

Gymnastiar, Abdullah ‘Aa Gym’ 101 

Indrawati, Sri Mulyani 119 

Maarif, Syafii 102 

Mahfudz, Sahal 119 

Mohammad, Goenawan 165 

Muhammad, Husein 133 

Mumpuni, Tri 151 

Rosa, Helvy Tiana 157 

Shihab, Quraish 128 

Siradj, Dr KH Said Aqil 64 

Syamsuddin, Professor Dr M Din 84 

Ulfah, Hajjah Maria 162 

Umar, Dr Nasaruddin 119 

Yudhoyono, His Excellency President Susilo Bambang 44 

Zulminarni, Nani 133 

Iran 

Ahmadinejad, His Excellency President Mahmoud 107 

Amoli, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Abdullah Jawadi 97 

Ansari, Anousheh 151 

Damad, His Eminence Ayatollah Prof. Dr Seyyed Mostafa Mohaghegh 97

Djalal, Dr Dino Patti 111 

Ebadi, Shirin 131 

Ebtekar, Her Excellency Dr Masoumeh 107 

Ismail, Dr Wan Azizah Wan 111 

Jafari, General Mohammad Ali 115 

Jalili, Saaed 108 

Khamenei, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Hajj Sayyid Ali 32 

Khatami, His Excellency Mohammad 108 

Mousavi, His Excellency Mir-Hossein 88, 171 

Nazeri, Shahram 155 

Rafsanjani, His Excellency Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi 108 

Rahnavard, Zahra 131 

Salehi, Dr Ali Akbar 151 

Shirazi, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Nasir Makarim 97 

Sobhani, His Eminence Ayatollah Jafar 115 

Soroush, Abdolkarim 97 

Vaez-Tabasi, His Eminence Ayatollah Abbas 115 

Iraq 

Al Baghdadi, Abbas Shakir al Fattal 155 

Al Baghdadi, Abu Omar 167 

Al Khoei, Sayyed Jawad 139 

Al Najafi, Dr al Sheikh Ali Bashir 98 

al Najafi, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Bashir 98 

Al Sadr, His Eminence Ayatollah al Faqih Seyyed Hussein Ismail 98 

Al Sadr, Sheikh Muqtada 125 

Dari, Harith 108 

Fayadh, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ishaq 92, 98 

Hakim, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Said 98 

Kubaisi, Sheikh Dr Ahmed 127 

Odhaib, Madeeha Hasan 141 

Sistani, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hussein 42, 170 

Israel 

Salah, Sheikh Raed 108 

Italy 

Pallavicini, Imam Yahya Sergio Yahe 121 

Pallavicini, Sheikh Abd Al Wahid 128 

Qaddorah, Jamal 146 

Jamaica 

Muhammad, Mustafa 123 

Jordan 

Abu Rashta, Ata 169 

Al Abbadi, His Excellency Abdul Salam 115, 169 

al Abdullah, Her Majesty Queen Rania 81 

Al Meheid, Minwer 155 

Al Qudah, His Eminence Sheikh Dr Nuh Ali Salman 98 

Bin Al Hussein, His Majesty King Abdullah II 34, 171 

Bin Talal, His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan 125 

Farhan, Ishaq 115 

Husseini, Rana 131 

Khasawneh, His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Karim 98 

Kenya 

Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed 143 

Mazrui, Dr Ali Al’Amin 100 

Index 

211

212 

Kosovo 

Thaçi, His Excellency Prime Minister Hashim 113 

Trnava, His Eminence Sheikh Naim 121 

Kuwait 

Al Afasy, Sheikh Mishary bin Rashid 161 

Al Kharafi, Nasser 139 

Al Mutawa, Dr Naif 163 

Al Mutawa, Jassem 163 

Dashti, Dr Rola 173 

Sweidan, Sheikh Dr Tariq 163 

Latvia 

Uldis, Berzins 158 

Lebanon 

Al Sadr, Rabab 141 

Assaf, Roger 155 

Daouk, Amine M 116 

Hariri, His Excellency Saad Rafic 108 

Nashabeh, Prof. Dr Hisham 116 

Nasrallah, Seyyed Hasan 62, 170 

Qabbani, His Eminence Dr Mohammad Rashid 98 

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 

Al Sharif, Prof. Dr Muhammad Ahmed 116 

Gaddafi, His Excellency Colonel Muammar 78 

Gaddafi, His Excellency Saif al Islam Muammar 141 

Malawi 

Chabulika, Sheikh Dinala 143 

King’ombe, Sheikh Aman 117 

Malaysia 

Abidin, His Majesty SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal 111 

Al Akiti, Dr Muhammad Afifi 102 

Al Attas, Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib 102 

Anwar, Zaynah 134 

Ibrahim, Dato Mashitah 128 

Ibrahim, His Excellency Dr Anwar 92, 111 

Kader, Mohideen Abdul 145 

Nik Mat, Dato’ Haji Nick Abdul Aziz 119 

Raihan 157 

Razak, Najib Tun 111 

Shukor, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar 152 

Maldives 

Saeed, Mohamed Shaheem Ali 120 

Mali 

Keita, Salif 156 

Touré, His Excellency President Amadou Toumani 110 

Mauritania 

Bah, Prof. Dr Mohammed el Mokhtar Ould 118 

Bin Bayyah, His Eminence Sheikh Abdullah 80 

El Mokhtar, Aminetou 133 

Mexico 

Rojas, Isa 105 

Weston, Omar 147 

Index

Morocco 

Abdul-Rahman, Prof. Dr Taha 98 

Altwaijiri, His Excellency Dr Abd al Aziz bin ‘Uthman 90 

Buhairi, Muhammad Ahmad 155 

His Majesty King Mohammed VI 36 

Mernissi, Fatema 131 

Modghari, His Excellency Dr Abd al Kabir 116 

Yassine, Nadia 132 

Mozambique 

Cheba, Sheikh Muhamade Aboulai 144 

Nepal 

Siddiqui, Muhammadi 134 

Netherlands 

Benali, Abdelkader 158 

El Mouhandiz, Rajae 158 

Mirza, Umar 165 

New Zealand 

Ghani, Dr Anwar 123 

Kireka-Whaanga 123 

Niger 

Mindaoudou, Her Excellency Dodo Aichatou 133 

Nigeria 

Abubakar III, His Royal Eminence Amirul Mu’minin Sheikh as Sultan Muhammadu Sa’adu 72 

Ahmed, Dr Ibrahim Datti 100 

Ajibola, His Excellency Prince Bola 118 

Ashafa, Imam Muhammad 144 

Bayero, His Royal Highness Amir al Haji Dr Ado 126 

Katsina, Sheikh Yakubu Musa 127 

Mohamed, Imam Ustaz Musa 118 

Oman 

Al Khalili, His Eminence Sheikh Ahmad 116 

al Sa’id, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id 38 

Index 

Pakistan 

Abd al Wahhab, Hajji Mohammed 58, 170 

Ahmed, Qazi Hussain 111 

Akhtar, Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad 102 

Al Qadri, Dr Muhammad Tahir 93, 103 

Chaudry, Chief Justice Iftikhar M 145 

Edhi, Abdul Sattar 145 

Hamid, Zaid 165 

Hashmi, Dr Farhat 102 

Jamshed, Junaid 158 

Kayani, General Ashfaq 111 

Khan, Dr Abdul Qadeer 92, 152 

Lodi, Her Excellency Ambassador Dr Maleeha 111 

Najafi, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Hussain 102 

Parveen, Abida 158 

Qadiri, Sheikh Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri 102, 170 

Rahman, Atta-Ur 152 

Rahman, Maulana Fazlur 111 

Saeed, Hafiz Mohammad 168 

Shaikh, Mohammad 93, 128 

213

214 

Shakil-ur-Rahman, Mir 165 

Siddiqui, Dr Anwar Hussain 120 

Soomro, Dr Khalid Mehmood 128 

Usmani, His Eminence Justice Sheikh Muhammad Taqi 80 

Zafar, Roshaneh 134, 173 

Palestine (West Bank/Gaza) 

Abbas, His Excellency President Mahmoud 108 

Abu Awwad, Khaled 141 

Abu Elaish, Dr Izzeldin 141 

Abu Sarah, Aziz 141 

Al Tamimi, His Eminence Justice Sheikh Dr Tayseer Rajab 99 

El Faqeeh, Khouloud 132 

Haniyah, Ismail 108 

Khanfar, Waddah 163 

Kuttab, Daoud 164 

Mashaal, Khaled 84 

Omer, Mohammed 171 

Sabri, His Eminence Sheikh Dr Ikrima Sa’id 116 

Philippines 

Abubakar, Ismael 145 

Busran Lao, Yasmin 134 

Guiapal, Aleem Siddiqu 173 

Misuari, Nur 112 

Rasul-Bernardo, Amina 145 

Rasul, Santanina Tillah 134 

Tomawis, Samira Gutoc 138 

Portugal 

Vakil, Abdool Magid Abdool Karim 121 

Index 

Qatar 

Al Missned, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser 132 

Al Qaradawi, Sheikh Dr Yusuf 54 

al Thani, Her Excellency Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh bin Nasser 141 

al Thani, Her Excellency Sheikha Mayssa bint Hamad 142 

Al Thani, His Highness Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa 68 

Husain, Maqbool Fida 156 

Philips, Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal 164 

Younis, Ahmed 173 

Russia 

Kadyrov, His Excellency President Ramzan 113 

Minnikhanov, His Excellency President Dr Rustam 113 

Nasibullahoglu, Mufti Cafer 121, 122 

Yevloyev, Akhmed 113 

Saudi Arabia 

Al Ajmi, Sheikh Ahmed Ali 161 

Al Faisal, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed 116 

Al Faiz, Norah Abdallah 132 

Al Ghamdi, Sheikh Sa’d ibn Sa’id 161 

Al Madani, Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali 139 

Al Madkhali, Sheikh Rabi’ ibn Haadi ‘Umayr 167 

Al Mu’ayqali, Sheikh Mahir bin Hamad 161 

Al Ouda, Sheikh Salman 76 

Al Qarni, Dr Aaidh 82 

Al Rajhi, Sulaiman Abdul Aziz 117 

Al Saffar, Hasan Musa 99

Al Saud, His Majesty King Abdullah bin ‘Abd Al ‘Aziz 28 

Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince al Waleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz 139 

Al Shatri, Sheikh Abu Bakr 161 

Al Sheikh, His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Aal 48 

Al Shugairi, Ahmad 137 

Al Shuraim, Sheikh Abu Ibrahim Sa’ud ibn Muhammad 161 

Al Sudais, Sheikh abdul Rahman 161 

Al Sudais, Sheikh Abdul Rahman 93 

Bin Laden, Bakr 142 

Bin Laden, Osama 167 

Kreidie, Dr Samir 139 

Obaid, Thoraya Ahmed 142 

Olayan, Lubna 116 

Senegal 

Cisse, His Eminence Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Ali 83 

N’dour, Youssou 156 

Singapore 

Kassim, Ustaz Ibrahim 103 

Nassir, Mohammed 138 

Rasheed, His Excellency Zainul Abidin 112 

Somalia 

Ahmed, His Excellency President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh 110 

Aweys, Sheikh Hassan Dahir 110 

Elmi, Asha Haji 144 

Osman, Hibaaq 132 

South Africa 

Amla, Hashim 156 

As-Sufi, Sheikh Abd al Qadir 125 

Bhika, Zain 156 

Desai, Mufti Ebrahim 99 

Esack, Farid 172 

Haffajee, Ferial 164 

Hendricks, Maulana Igsaan 117 

Hendricks, Sheikh Seraj 99 

Morton, Shafiq 164 

Patel, Ebrahim 143 

Sooliman, Dr Imtiaz Ismail 143 

Spain 

Bakkach El Aamrani, Mostafa 113 

Sri Lanka 

Ismail, Jezima 134 

Marsoof, Justice Saleem 152 

Mufthi, M.I.M. Rizvi 120 

Sudan 

Al Bashir, His Excellency President Omar 109 

Al Mahdi, His Excellency Imam Sayyed al Sadiq 125 

Al Turabi, Hassan Abdallah 127 

El Bashir, His Excellency Dr Issam 127 

Ibrahim, Dr Mohamed ‘Mo’ 142 

Sweden 

Bin Ouda, Helena 122 

Index 

215

216 

Switzerland 

Maizar, Hisham 122 

Ramadan, Dr Tariq 93, 104 

Syria 

Al Assad, His Excellency President Bashar 109 

Al Bouti, Sheikh Dr Muhammad Sa’id Ramadan 60 

Alchaar, Dr Mohammed Nedal 117 

Al Sabouni, Sheikh Mohammad Ali 82 

Al Yaqoubi, Sheikh Muhammad 125 

Al-Zuhayli, Dr Prof. Sheikh Wahba Mustafa 99 

Hassoun, His Eminence Sheikh Dr Ahmad Badr al Din 99 

Itr, Sheikh Dr Nur al Din 99 

Qubeysi, Her Eminence Sheikha Munira 74 

Taha, Uthman 156 

Tajikistan 

Rahmon, His Excellency Emomalii 112 

Thailand 

Dahlan, Prof. Dr Winai 152 

Pitsuwan, His Excellency Dr Surin 112 

Sabur, M Abdus 146 

Trinidad and Tobago 

Ali, Imam Yacoob 123 

Tunisia 

Ennaifer, H’mida 99 

Ghannushi, Rashid 109 

Turkey 

Bardakoglu, Ali 122 

Çagrıcı, His Eminence Prof. Dr Mustafa 122 

Çelebi, Hasan 158 

Davutoglu, His Excellency Ahmet 113 

Dumanli, Ekrem 165 

Erbakan, His Excellency Prof. Necmettin 113 

Erdogan, His Excellency Recep Tayyip 30 

Gülen, Hodjaefendi Fethullah 52, 170 

Gül, His Excellency President Abdullah 81 

Günesdogdu, Mustafa Özcan 162 

Ihsanoglu, His Excellency Professor Dr Ekmelledin 87 

Karaman, Prof. Dr Hayrettin 104 

Oktar, Adnan 87 

Yalçin, Rabia 158 

Turkmenistan 

Berdimuhamedow, His Excellency President Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç 112 

Uganda 

Mamdani, Mahmood 100 

Index 

United Arab Emirates 

Al Abbar, Mohammed bin Ali 142 

Al Haddad, Dr Ahmed 132 

al Hussein, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya bint 142 

Al Jifri, Sheikh Habib ‘Ali Zain al Abideen 85 

Al Maktoum, His Highness Amir Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid 92, 109 

al Nahyan, His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed 70

Index 

Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed 109, 172 

Al Rostamani, Dr Amina 164 

United Kingdom 

Abdalla, Khalid 159 

Ahmed, Lord Nazir 114 

Ahsan, Dr Manazir 122 

Al Banna, Dr Hany 147 

Al Hassani, Dr Salim 153 

Atwan, Abdel Bari 165 

Azmi, Dr Waqar 147 

Bari, Dr Muhammad Abdul 122 

Boga, Nizar 147 

Islam, Yusuf 159 

Janmohamed, Shelina Zahra 135 

Joseph, Sarah 165 

Kazmi, Nadeem 122 

Khalid, Fazlun 153 

Khan, Rizwan 165 

Mamdani, Mohammed 138 

Motala, Hadhrat Sheikhul Hadith Maulana Yusuf 104 

Nahdi, Fuad 166 

Omaar, Rageh 166 

Qureshi, Prof. Khawar 153 

Sanders, Peter 159 

Ul Haq, Abu Yusuf Riyadh 129 

Warsi, Lady Sayeeda 114 

Winter, Timothy (Sheikh Abdal-Hakim Murad) 93, 104 

Yusuf, Sami 159 

United States 

Abdul-Rashid, Imam Talib 148 

Abdur-Rauf, Feisal 148 

Al Alwani, Dr Taha Jaber 106 

Al-Hibri, Dr Azizah 135 

Ali, Imam Mohammad Shamsi 124 

Al Ninowy, Sheikh Muhammad bin Yahya al Husayni 126 

Amanat, Omar 166 

Amanullah, Shahed 166 

Butt, Suhail 148 

Cheema, Dr Tariq H 140 

Clay, Mohammad Ali 148 

El Erian, Dr Mohamed 124 

Ellison, Representative Keith 114 

Estes, Sheikh Yusuf 106 

Ghazi, Drs Abidullah and Tasneema 124 

Godlas, Dr Alan 166 

Gouverneur, Aisha 166 

Hanson, Sheikh Hamza Yusuf 86 

Hussain, Rashad 114, 171 

Idriss, Shamil 148 

Kavakçi, Prof. Dr Merve 135 

Keller, Sheikh Nuh 106 

Khan, Mansur 148 

Latif, Imam Khalid 148 

Magid, Imam Mohamed 124 

Mattson, Ingrid 106 

Mattson, Ingrid Dr 92 

Mehdi, Anisa 159 

Mogahed, Dalia 135 

217

218 

Mos Def 160 

Nasr, Professor Dr Seyyed Hossein 89 

Nyang, Sulayman S 106 

Oz, Dr Mehmet 153 

Pandith, Farah 171 

Perez, Hamza 138 

Qazi, Dr Mahmood Ahmad 153 

Shakir, Imam Zaid 106 

Siddiqui, Prof. Dr Muzammil H 106 

Webb, Imam Suhaib 138 

Wolfe, Michael 166 

Zarabozo, Sheikh Jamaal al-Din M. 129 

Uzbekistan 

Alemov, His Eminence Usman 120 

Yemen 

Al Awlaki, Anwar 167 

Ali, Nujood 132 

al Mansour, His Eminence Mohammad bin Mohammad 79 

Baobaid, Mohammad 142 

Hafiz, Sheikh al Habib Umar bin 83 

Houthi, Abdul-Malik 173 

Zimbabwe 

Menk, Mufti Ismail Musa 117 

Index

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the royal islamic strategic studies centre 

ISBN 978-9975-428-37-2 

9789975428372

The 500 Most Influential Muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...

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