Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir have secured the joint top position in the 2027 edition of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims, marking a significant international recognition for Pakistan’s leadership.
The two Pakistani leaders share the first position with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The latest rankings have been published by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC), a Jordan-based research institution.
The recognition mentions Pakistan’s growing diplomatic and strategic engagement with key Muslim countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
In this regard, this is the first time the annual publication has awarded its highest position to multiple individuals through shared entries.
The decision reflects the significance of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
The publication described the arrangement as an important development in cooperation among Muslim-majority nations, bringing together Saudi Arabia’s economic strength, Turkiye’s technological and manufacturing capabilities, and Pakistan’s military capacity.
It said the agreement represented a collective approach to regional security and could influence the future direction of cooperation among Muslim countries.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has been ranked fourth, while Jordan’s King Abdullah II secured fifth place.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani occupies sixth position, followed by Pakistani religious scholar Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani at seventh.
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has been placed at number 12, while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi occupies the 22nd position.
Other prominent personalities include Pakistani religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil at 32nd place and Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah at 39th.
The report also features several prominent political figures from different regions.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has secured the 45th position, followed by Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at 46th.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been ranked 49th, highlighting his growing prominence in international political discussions.
Among the political honourable mentions are former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya and American Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed.
The report also recognises personalities from media, arts, culture and sports, including Jordan’s Queen Rania, British composer Sami Yusuf, Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, broadcaster Mehdi Hasan and Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef.
The publication acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to manage economic stabilisation, regional security concerns and diplomatic relations with major global powers.
It noted that Islamabad has maintained its strategic partnership with Riyadh while keeping diplomatic communication and border engagement open with Tehran.
The report also highlighted Pakistan’s continued efforts to balance relationships with influential international powers amid an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
Beyond political rankings, the publication has named Palestinian paediatrician Dr Hussam Abu Safiya as its Man of the Year.
The report recognised his commitment to treating patients in Gaza despite the devastating consequences of Israel’s military offensive.
It highlighted his efforts to document attacks on medical facilities and his appeals to the international community to protect Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.
According to the publication, Abu Safiya has spent more than 600 days in Israeli custody without charge or trial. His selection recognises his professional commitment and humanitarian efforts under extraordinary circumstances.
Minab School Attack Survivor Named Woman of the Year
Fatemeh Zahra Sheikhabadi, a survivor of the Minab school attack, has been named Woman of the Year.
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She survived US strikes on her school and later travelled to Geneva to address the United Nations Human Rights Council.
During her appearance, she urged international leaders to listen to the experiences of children affected by the attack.
The publication described her recognition as an acknowledgement of her courage and determination to share the experiences of children who lost their friends and teachers.
The 2027 edition of The 500 Most Influential Muslims once again highlights the political, religious, humanitarian and cultural figures shaping Muslim communities and influencing discussions across the world.
