Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir top Muslim 500 list of most influential Muslims
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (right) and Field Marshal Asim Munir in Washington in September 2025. The two share the top spot in the latest Muslim 500 list. Official White House photo: Daniel Torok / public domain
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir have jointly taken the top spot in the Muslim 500 list of the world’s most influential Muslims. The latest edition, compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Amman, Jordan, features more than one name at the top for the first time since the annual ranking began in 2009.
Five people, three shared entries
The top spot is shared by five individuals, divided into three entries: Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir; Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; and Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The edition cites the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye as the reason for the historic decision, describing it as a “one for all, all for one” approach to security. The report says the 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”.
Pakistan’s diplomacy recognised
The report also acknowledged that Pakistan spent the past year navigating economic stabilisation challenges, regional security pressures and a delicate balancing act between major powers, including “regional shuttle diplomacy” in the Middle East to argue for de-escalation. It highlighted Field Marshal Munir’s distinction as the first Hafiz-e-Quran — one who has memorised the Holy Quran — to serve as Pakistan’s army chief. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ranks fourth, Jordan’s King Abdullah II fifth, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani sixth, and Pakistan’s Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani seventh. Maulana Tariq Jamil is ranked 32nd, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi 22nd, and footballer Mohamed Salah 39th.
Man and Woman of the Year
This year’s Man of the Year is Palestinian paediatrician Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, who has spent more than 600 days in Israeli custody without charge. The Woman of the Year is Fatemeh Zahra Sheikhabadi, a survivor of the Minab school attack in Iran.
