Anwar named 15th most influential Muslim in the world

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was listed as 15th place among the 500 most influential Muslims in the world.

Sinar Harian reported that Anwar was named in The Muslim 500’s 2025 edition.

The 500 Most Influential Muslims, also known as The Muslim 500, is published by the research centre Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center (RISSC) which is sponsored by the Royal Institute of Islamic Thought Aal al-Bayt based in Amman, Jordan.

It is an annual publication first published in 2009.

Anwar is also in ninth place in the category of leaders and politicians.

The Muslim 500 also listed the King of Jordan Abdullah II Al-Hussein in first place followed by the ulama and director of Dar al-Mustafa university Umar Hafiz, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al Thani; Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and King of Saudi Arabia Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud.

In addition, the new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and its Nahdlatul Ulama (Awakening of Scholars) chairperson Yahya Cholil Staquf are also listed in 18th and 19th place.

Anwar’s plaudits

The publication highlighted Anwar as someone who had endured imprisonment, exile, and political challenges before becoming Malaysia’s 10th prime minister in November 2022.

“Outside of his political career, Anwar has contributed to academia, holding positions at institutions such as St Anthony’s College, Oxford, Johns Hopkins University, and Georgetown University.

“He is also the co-founder of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) which was established in the United States in 1981,” it said.

The publication also lauded Anwar after he vehemently condemned social media giant Meta for removing his Instagram and Facebook posts that paid tribute to the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Anwar’s stark warning to Meta urged the platform not to be a coward and a tool for the oppressive Zionist Israeli regime.

“Meta has once again acted biadab (insolent) and insulted the struggle of the Palestinian people by removing videos and condolence messages, as well as criticism of the killing of the late Ismail.

“It is unreasonable to consider posts honouring a fighter who sought to liberate his homeland from oppression and suffering as dangerous,” he said on Aug 1. - Mkini