The Muslim 500 recognition also includes Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Published by Jordan's Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC), the 2027 edition marks the 18th annual publication of the influential list. For the first time, five world leaders have been highlighted together under the special category of "Joint No. 1".

According to the publication, the decision reflects growing defence and strategic cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, particularly in the context of the joint defence agreement signed by the three countries on August 7, 2026.

The publication highlighted the military capabilities, financial resources and defence technology of the three countries as important elements of their emerging strategic cooperation.

It also acknowledged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's political and administrative role in facilitating the agreement, while highlighting Field Marshal Asim Munir's role in Pakistan's military capabilities and defence cooperation.

However, the publication's main Top 50 ranking presents a slightly different format. Its initial chart places Saudi Arabia's leadership at number one, Pakistan's leadership at number two and Turkish President Erdogan at number three. In a special feature titled "Joint No. 1", all five leaders are presented together at the top.

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has been placed fourth, followed by Jordan's King Abdullah II at fifth and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at sixth.

Renowned Pakistani Islamic scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani has secured the seventh position, making him another prominent Pakistani personality in the global list.

Other notable Muslim leaders include Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, ranked 13th, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, placed 16th.

Several other Pakistani personalities have also featured in the 2027 edition, including religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel, Tablighi Jamaat leader Maulana Nazar-ur-Rehman and Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadri.

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The Muslim 500 evaluates individuals on the basis of their influence across religious, political, economic, social, academic and cultural fields rather than relying solely on official positions or public popularity.

According to RISSC, the selection process takes into account expert opinions, public nominations, social indicators and individuals' lifetime contributions.

The publication features more than 500 influential Muslim personalities from across the world. The first 50 are presented through numerical rankings, while the remaining personalities are grouped into different categories, including religious scholarship, politics, religious administration, preaching, philanthropy, science and technology, business, media, arts and sports.