Pakistan has once again earned global recognition as several of its leading figures have been featured in The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims 2026, published by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC) in Amman, Jordan.
Leading the Pakistani representation, Mufti Taqi Usmani has secured the second spot worldwide, making him one of the most influential figures in the Muslim world. The report, now in its 17th edition, celebrates individuals shaping Muslim societies through religion, politics, science, culture, and social development.
Joining Mufti Usmani on the prestigious list are Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who continue to play pivotal roles in shaping Pakistan’s social and political landscape.
Topping The Muslim 500 2026 list is Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, followed by Mufti Taqi Usmani in second and Yemeni scholar Sheikh Al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz in third place. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei ranked fourth, while Jordan’s King Abdullah II secured fifth place.
Among the top 50 global influencers, other Pakistani scholars including Maulana Tariq Jameel, Maulana Nazar-ur-Rehman of Tablighi Jamaat, and Maulana Ilyas Qadri of Dawat-e-Islami were also recognized for their religious influence.
This year, The Muslim 500 also made history by collectively naming the people of Gaza as the “Person of the Year”, acknowledging their resilience, endurance, and moral courage amid ongoing humanitarian suffering. The publication praised Gaza’s men and women for standing firm in the face of adversity, calling their perseverance “a testament to the strength of the human spirit and its unyielding desire for justice.”
On the international front, notable world leaders such as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev also featured prominently.
Among preachers and spiritual guides, Hamza Yusuf (25) and Dr Tim Winter (35) stood out, while popular figures like Liverpool footballer Mohamed Salah (39), London Mayor Sadiq Khan, preacher Dr Zakir Naik, and singer Sami Yusuf earned honourable mentions.
The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre defines influence as the ability to create a significant impact—cultural, ideological, political, or financial—on the Muslim world, whether viewed positively or negatively.
