Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir have featured prominently in the latest edition of the world’s 500 Most Influential Muslims. The annual publication also recognises Saudi and Turkish leadership, highlighting growing cooperation among Muslim countries.
The report also honours two individuals whose experiences have attracted international attention. Palestinian paediatrician Dr Hussam Abu Safiya has received the Man of the Year recognition, while Minab school attack survivor Fatemeh Zahra Sheikhabadi has been named Woman of the Year.
Pakistan’s Leadership Recognised in Global Muslim Influential List
The rankings were compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC), a research institute based in Amman, Jordan. Since 2009, the organisation has published its annual report, titled The 500 Most Influential Muslims.
The publication recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to Muslim communities across different fields.
This year’s edition introduces a shared top entry featuring five individuals. These include Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, alongside Saudi Arabia’s King and Crown Prince and Turkish President.
According to the report, this recognition reflects the significance of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
The edition explained its decision by stating:
“While this unified top spot features five individuals, it is actually divided into three shared entries that represent a massive shift in how Muslim nations are working together to protect one another. The main reason for this historic decision is the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,”
It further described the agreement as a significant regional development.
“This mutual-defence pact unites the immense wealth of Saudi Arabia, the advanced tech and manufacturing of Turkiye, and the powerful military strength of Pakistan into a collective alliance.
“Modelled on a ‘one for all, all for one’ approach to security, this pact has completely reshaped regional politics.”
Report Highlights Pakistan’s Diplomatic and Economic Challenges
The publication also discussed Pakistan’s economic and diplomatic situation over the past year. It acknowledged the country’s efforts to manage economic stabilisation challenges, regional security pressures and relationships with major global powers.
Furthermore, the report highlighted Islamabad’s regional shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East. Pakistan advocated for de-escalation while facing domestic energy market pressures.
These pressures included elevated import costs and emergency fuel conservation measures.
The publication also features several other prominent political and religious figures. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and Jordan’s King Abdullah II appear among the recognised leaders.
Other personalities include Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Saeed El-Sisi.
Pakistani religious scholars Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani and Maulana Tariq Jamil also feature in the publication. Meanwhile, footballer Mohamed Salah appears alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Syrian Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is another personality included in the report.
Imran Khan, Sadiq Khan and Other Honourable Mentions
The publication also recognises several individuals through its honourable mentions.
In politics, these include Hamas Chief Khalil Al-Hayya, former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and American Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed.
Similarly, the categories covering social issues, science, arts, culture, media and sports feature several notable personalities.
These include Jordan’s Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, British composer Sami Yusuf, Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, British-American broadcaster Mehdi Hasan and Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef.
Palestinian Doctor Hussam Abu Safiya Named Man of the Year
Every year, RISSC selects two individuals for its special Man of the Year and Woman of the Year honours.
This year, Palestinian paediatrician Dr Hussam Abu Safiya has received the Man of the Year recognition.
The report describes him as:
“a doctor who refused to abandon his patients, buried his son and returned to the wards, and has now spent more than six hundred days in Israeli custody without charge or trial”.
During Israel’s invasion of Gaza, Abu Safiya documented attacks on medical facilities. He also appealed to the international community to protect Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.
The publication further praised his commitment to his patients despite personal losses and imprisonment.
“A man with no army, no office and no freedom has done more than most governments to remind the world what courage and integrity look like,” the report says.
Minab School Attack Survivor Receives Woman of the Year Honour
Meanwhile, Fatemeh Zahra Sheikhabadi has received the Woman of the Year recognition.
She survived the US strikes on her school in Minab. Later, she travelled to Geneva and addressed the UN Human Rights Council.
During her address, she urged world leaders to “hear the voices of the children of Minab”.
According to the report, a US missile struck an elementary girls’ school in Minab on February 28, 2026. The attack killed more than 150 people, including over 100 children.
Explaining the decision to honour Sheikhabadi, the publication stated:
“She is honoured not as a symbol of a war, but as herself: a girl who lost her friends and her teachers on an ordinary morning, and who lived to tell their story so that it would not be lost with them.”
Her recognition highlights the experiences of children affected by conflict and the importance of preserving their stories.
Together, this year’s selections bring attention to political leadership, religious scholarship, diplomacy, humanitarian commitment and cultural influence across Muslim communities worldwide.
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