the 500 most influential muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...
the 500 most influential muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...
the 500 most influential muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...
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BOSNIA<br />
mahmutcehajic, his excellency prof. dr rusmir<br />
Mahmutcehajic is <strong>the</strong> president of <strong>the</strong> International Forum Bosnia, and a former vice president of<br />
Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has been incredibly important in efforts to heal <strong>the</strong> ethnic, religious and<br />
social divisions that happened as a result of <strong>the</strong> Bosnian War in <strong>the</strong> mid-1990s. His projects are<br />
some of <strong>the</strong> <strong>most</strong> successful at producing real healing between communities. He works particularly<br />
in his hometown of Stolac, which is one of <strong>the</strong> <strong>most</strong> deeply divided towns in Bosnia.<br />
BULGARIA<br />
hadzhi, his eminence mustafa alish<br />
Hadzhi is Bulgaria’s chief mufti. Bulgaria has recently been referred to as 'Istanbulgaria' because<br />
of <strong>the</strong> importance of Turkish-Bulgarian relations. Hadzhi is important as <strong>the</strong> leader of <strong>the</strong> Muslim<br />
community in a predominantly Christian state with a large influx of Muslims. Bulgaria’s mufti,<br />
Mustafa Alish Hadzhi, has recently been in <strong>the</strong> news because of a decision to prevent <strong>the</strong> building<br />
of a new mosque, and is taking <strong>the</strong> case to <strong>the</strong> EU.<br />
FINLAND<br />
ismail, atik<br />
Ismail is a famous former professional footballer and a Tatar community leader in <strong>the</strong> city of<br />
Kuopio, Finland. He regularly speaks on television to explain <strong>the</strong> indigenous brand of Islam of<br />
his Tatar community, and debate exponents of more radical interpretations of Islam. He is well<br />
received by <strong>the</strong> Finnish public who can identify with him.<br />
GERMANY<br />
rieger, abu bakr<br />
Abu Bakr Rieger is <strong>the</strong> chairman of <strong>the</strong> European Muslims Union, which aims to be an umbrella<br />
organization for various institutions and area entities that serve <strong>the</strong> broader Muslim community<br />
in Europe. He is also <strong>the</strong> editor of <strong>the</strong> ‘Islamische Zeitung.’<br />
GIBRALTAR<br />
sasri, mohamed<br />
Mohamed Sasri is <strong>the</strong> president of <strong>the</strong> Moroccan Workers Association and an advocate of social<br />
justice and equality for <strong>the</strong> Muslims of Gibraltar and immigrant workers in particular. He has been<br />
active in <strong>the</strong> fight for more rights in regards to unemployment benefits for all workers.<br />
SPAIN<br />
escudero, dr mansur a<br />
Escudero is secretary general of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islamic</strong> Commission of Spain, which is outspoken against terrorism<br />
perpetrated in <strong>the</strong> name of Islam, and is a founding member of multiple <strong>Islamic</strong> institutions<br />
in Spain. He gained international attention when he lobbied for permission for Muslims to pray at<br />
<strong>the</strong> former Great Mosque at Cordoba in 2007.<br />
TURKEY<br />
benli, fatma<br />
Fatma Benli is a Turkish lawyer and women’s rights advocate, specifically known for her advocacy<br />
of Turkish women’s right to wear <strong>the</strong> hijab. Benli is also <strong>the</strong> vice president of <strong>the</strong> Women’s Rights<br />
Association against Discrimination (AKDER). Benli has become especially <strong>influential</strong> recently due<br />
to <strong>the</strong> continued legal battles on hijab permissibility at universities.<br />
UNITED KINGDOM<br />
azmi, waqar<br />
Waqar Azmi founded <strong>the</strong> British Federation of Racial Equality Councils and is currently <strong>the</strong><br />
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DEvELOPMENT