Brilio.net/en - The Royal Islamic Strategies Studies Centre in Amman, Jordan, have released its list of 500 most influential Muslim figures in the world for the year 2016. In its list, it highlights 50 indiviuals considered to be of extraordinary influence and breaks up the rest into 15 different categories with no specific ranking.
The official site themuslim500.com mentions that the release of this list is carried out to observe a Muslim figure's influence to his/her communities and, as was the case with the previous year, clerics and heads of states dominate the top 50 list.
Sheikh Ahmed Muhammad al-Tayep, a professor and head of Al-Azhar University and the grand imam of A-Azhar in Cairo, topped the list, followed by King Abdullah II of Jordan and King Salam bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia in second and third place.
Ahmad Muhammad al-Tayeb via ar.qantara.de
Indonesia, as a country with the largest Muslim population also had four names representing it in the top 50.President Joko Widodo ranked 13th on the list and was described as a successful clean politician, starting his career as the mayor of Solo.He is noted for being close to his constituents and for successfully promoting Solo as a cultural center of Java, as well as for his achievements in improving the transportation system, healthcare, and business relations for the masses while citing hisblusukanmethod.
Said Aqil Siradj via sihabuddin.com
Other Indonesian figure on the list include Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Said Aqil Siradj, who ranked 20th, as well as Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin who ranked 41st. Syamsuddin was mentioned for having been reelected as president of the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace.
Din Syamsuddin via alchetron.com
Habib Luthfi, who is ranked 45th, is currently Rais Amm or advisory board of Jamiyah Ahli Tahriqah al-Mu'tabarah al-Nahdliyah in Pekalongan, Central Java, and also served as Chairman of the Central Java Indonesian Ulema Council. Throughout his life, Habib Lutfi has established thousands of schools and mosques in Indonesia and has millions of followers.
Habib Luthfi via dutaislam.com
(brl/red)
