The Muslim 500 has again profiled and ranked the most influential Muslims in the world in its latest 2025 edition and named prominent Palestine advocates as its Man and Woman of the Year.
The list, devised by the Jordan-based Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, places King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein of Jordan as the most influential Muslim in the world.
Sheikh Al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz, founder and director of Dar Al-Mustafa, is second, and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is third. Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Hajj Sayyid Ali Khamenei and King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud make up the remaining top five.
The Top 50 is dominated by religious scholars and heads of state. “Their dominant and lasting influence cannot be denied, especially the rulers, who in many cases also appoint religious scholars to their respective positions,” says the report.
The report emphasises that inclusion in the list does not imply endorsement of their views but rather reflects an assessment of their influence within the Muslim world.
“The influence can be of a religious scholar directly addressing Muslims and influencing their beliefs, ideas and behaviour, or it can be of a ruler shaping the socio-economic factors within which people live their lives, or of artists shaping popular culture,” it says.
Man and Woman of the Year
Jordan’s Queen Rania Al-Abdullah is named Woman of the Year for her “powerful voice advocating for justice for Palestinians.”
Ever since Israel started its onslaught on Gaza, Queen Rania has been at the forefront of changing Western perception about the war.
“Queen Rania has emerged as a powerful and eloquent voice for justice and humanity in the face of the ongoing slaughter of Palestinian civilians. Her relentless efforts to change Western perceptions of the Palestinian cause, especially amidst the intense Israeli public relations campaigns, have made her a formidable force in global discourse,” says the publication.
The man of the year is Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, who has treated the victims of the genocide in Gaza and now advocates for them.
The British-Palestinian surgeon received the accolade for his humanitarian efforts in Gaza — he flew to the region in October 2023 at the height of the war. He performed critical surgeries and raised awareness about the dire humanitarian situation through media interviews.
“Dr Abu-Sittah is celebrated as Man of the Year not only for his courageous medical work, but also for his unwavering advocacy for justice for Palestinians. Despite facing threats, bans, and attempts to discredit his work, he remains steadfast in his commitment to the cause,” says the publication.
Other notable entries
Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is seventh, while Saudi’s Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud is placed 12th.
Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr (34), a Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University, is the highest-placed non-religious leader or politician.
The President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan (35) is the only woman in the Top 50.
Liverpool footballer Mohamed Salah ranks 39th in the Top 50, while former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mané and retired UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov receive honourable mentions. Other sports stars in the 450 list include Mike Tyson. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sonny Williams, Zinedine Zidane, Mo Farah and Karim Benzema.
Other honourable mentions go to scholar Dr Ingrid Mattson, Pakistani politician Imran Khan, London mayor Imran Khan, TV preacher Zakir Naik and singer Sami Yusuf.
Amongst preachers & spiritual guides, Hamza Yusuf (24) and Dr Tim Winter (42) make the Top 50. Mufti Menk, Imam Omar Suleiman and Imam Siraj Wahhaj make the 450 list.
Social influencers and debaters Mohammed Hijab, Ali Zeeshan and Paul Williams are also mentioned.
The lists
The top 10
- HM King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Custodian of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem (5)
- HE Sheikh Al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz Scholar and Director of Dar Al Mustafa, Tarim, Yemen (1)
- HH Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Emir of Qatar (4)
- HE Grand Ayatollah Hajj Sayyid Ali Khamenei Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran (3)
- HM King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud King of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (2)
- HE Justice Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani Scholar and Deobandi Leader (8)
- HH President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan President of UAE (6)
- HE President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan President of Türkiye (7)
- HE Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hussein Al-Sistani Marja of the Hawza, Najaf, Iraq (9)
- HM King Mohammed VI (10)
(Last year’s ranking in brackets)
Other names in the 450 lists
- Business: Issa brothers, owners of Asda supermarket chain
- Music: Zain Bhikha, Maher Zain, and Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens)
- Acting: Riz Ahmed and Aamir Khan
- Comedy: Dave Chappelle, Ramy Youssef, and Bassem Youssef
- Modelling: Halima Aden and sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid
- Writing: G. Willow Wilson, author of Ms. Marvel
- Journalism: Mehdi Hasan and Mishal Husain
