PM Shehbaz, CDF Asim Munir share historic global honour

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir have secured a joint top position in the latest list of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims.

They share the leading position with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The annual rankings are compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC), a research institution based in Amman, Jordan. The organisation has been publishing its influential Muslim list since 2009, recognising prominent figures for their contributions to Muslim communities and the wider world.

This year’s edition has introduced a historic change by placing five individuals at the top of the rankings. The decision has been linked to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

According to the report, the agreement represents a significant development in cooperation among Muslim countries. It brings together Saudi Arabia’s economic resources, Turkiye’s technological and industrial capabilities, and Pakistan’s military strength under a collective defence framework.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei secured fourth place, while Jordan’s King Abdullah II ranked fifth.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani was placed sixth, followed by Pakistani religious scholar Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani at seventh. United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan secured 12th position, while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi ranked 22nd.

Another prominent Pakistani religious scholar, Maulana Tariq Jamil, was placed 32nd. Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah secured 39th position.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ranked 45th, followed by Syrian Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa at 46th place.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also featured among the leading figures, securing the 49th position.

The report also included several prominent personalities as honourable mentions in its political category. These included Hamas chief Khalil Al-Hayya, former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and American Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed.

In its social issues, science, arts and culture, media, and sports categories, the publication recognised Jordan’s Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, British composer Sami Yusuf, Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan and Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef.