Islamabad, 15 November, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir have secured the top position in the latest edition of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims, sharing the honour with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The annual rankings, compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC), a research institute based in Amman, Jordan, recognise individuals making significant contributions to Muslim communities worldwide. Published annually since 2009, the report has introduced a shared first position for the first time, highlighting the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. According to the report, the agreement brings together Saudi Arabia’s economic strength, Turkiye’s technological and industrial capabilities, and Pakistan’s military power under a collective security arrangement. It described the development as a significant shift in cooperation among Muslim countries. The report also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to manage economic stabilisation, regional security challenges and diplomatic relations with major powers, noting Islamabad’s role in promoting de-escalation through regional diplomacy in the Middle East. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and Jordan’s King Abdullah II secured fourth and fifth positions, respectively, while Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani ranked sixth. Pakistani religious scholar Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani was placed seventh, while Maulana Tariq Jamil secured the 32nd position. Football star Mohamed Salah ranked 39th, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas 45th and Syrian Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa 46th. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was placed 49th on the list. Other notable figures receiving honourable mentions included former prime minister Imran Khan, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya and American Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed. In the social issues, science, arts, culture, media and sports category, the report recognised personalities including Queen Rania of Jordan, British composer Sami Yusuf, Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda and broadcaster Mehdi Hasan. Meanwhile, Palestinian paediatrician Dr Hussam Abu Safiya was named Man of the Year for his courage and dedication to treating patients in Gaza despite the ongoing Israeli offensive. The report highlighted his efforts to document attacks on medical facilities and his continued commitment to healthcare despite losing his son and spending more than 600 days in Israeli custody without charge or trial. Fatemeh Zahra Sheikhabadi, a survivor of the US strike on a girls’ school in Iran’s Minab city, was named Woman of the Year. Sheikhabadi later addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, urging the international community to listen to the voices of children affected by the attack. The report honoured her for sharing the stories of children who lost their lives, teachers and classmates in the February 28, 2026 strike, which reportedly killed more than 150 people, including over 100 children.